About The Owner

Growing up in Central Michigan, Jon Tencza learned the value of quality work at a young age. Jon's interest in landscaping began early on, when he was just tall enough to peer over the lawn mower handle, walking behind it as his Dad pushed. Later, Jon began pulling the family mower behind his bike, earning money mowing neighbors' lawns. In high school, he became more mobile with a drivers license, and along with his younger brother, took his love for landscaping to the next level, purchasing a truck, trailer, and maintenance equipment. Jon's entrepreneurial ability allowed him to quickly grow a successful landscape maintenance business through high school and college.

Upon graduating from Northwood University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Jon entered the corporate world, going to work as a Sales Representative for a well known beverage company. He soon discovered that it did not matter how many cases of product were sold. The fact was that he needed something more tangible. Something that he could walk away from and say "wow, I created that." Later that same year, Jon and his college sweetheart Amy moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where Jon pursued his passion for landscaping going to work at Hansen Landscape.

Jon was hired at Hansen Landscape to manage the My Gardener maintenance division, and quickly capitalized on the smaller landscape jobs. Soon, Jon developed and grew a landscape division within My Gardener which started out handling small landscape jobs. "At this point, Jon was seriously bitten by the landscape bug" according to owner Steve Hansen, and began challenging himself with larger and more complex projects. With every project came the reward and personal satisfaction knowing that he had created it, and the tangible result he longed for. Being able to meet with a customer, listen to their needs, design the project and see the result, became very rewarding. After 6 years, Jon's landscape division had completed many large high end projects. Jon along with his wife Amy then decided to move to Phoenix where they could be closer to family with the goal of opening his own landscape company. Jon remains grateful for the experience gained working with one of the most professional and well respected landscape companies in the California Bay Area.

Jon brought his passion for landscaping to the Valley of the Sun, where he worked 3 additional years for a well known landscape company, continuing his education in desert landscape design. With over 20 years of experience and a love for the Phoenix Valley, Jon directly oversees all operations at Arid Oasis Landscapes. Having been exposed to a variety of climates and design styles, Jon is able to capture some of the most stunning outdoor landscape environments. Jon prides himself on being able to carefully listen to each client, and design a landscape that is reflective of his clients' desires and lifestyles. Each job is designed to be both functional and unique. His passion for landscape, creativity, and insistence on quality continue to make Arid Oasis Landscapes an industry leader.