Stephen Hackney founded SWH Landscape Architecture in 2011 and serves as managing principal. For over twenty years he has been crafting thoughtful landscapes throughout the region for clients both residential and commercial. His passion for designing environments of distinction has allowed Stephen to build an extensive body of work and as a result of his leadership, SWH has attracted a diverse and talented team. Stephen received his Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Kentucky, graduating with distinction. 

Braden Meadows received his Bachelor’s and Master of Landscape Architecture degrees, with distinction, from the University of Georgia College of Environment and Design. Braden also received his Juris Doctor, with honors, from the UGA School of Law, where he was on the Executive Board of the Georgia Law Review and received his MBA from UGA’s Terry College of Business.  Braden is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to practice before the Georgia Supreme Court, Georgia Court of Appeals, and Georgia State & Superior Courts.

Braden has served as a lecturer at the UGA College of Environment and Design and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. He serves on the UGA College of Environment and Design’s Dean’s Advisory Council and is a member of the Congress for the New Urbanism (Atlanta Chapter) Board of Directors. 

He has project experience in high-end residential, commercial, and community planning projects across the southeast. With his design-oriented business acumen, Braden leads SWH’s business operations, business development, and legal affairs. When not working at SWH, you might find him leading fly-fishing trips as a professional guide.

Genya brings a depth of planning and design experience to the SWH team ranging from custom residential to mixed-use commercial development. A skilled problem-solver, he appreciates the challenge of designing complex sites befitting each client’s lifestyle and aesthetic. A childhood passion for drawing and a love for the natural world led him to earn his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia. In his free time, Genya enjoys camping throughout the southeast with his wife.

Dave has more than 30 years of in-depth professional experience in all phases and complexities of landscape architecture, urban design, master planning, campus planning, and commercial development in Southern California and East Tennessee.

In California, Dave worked for a prominent landscape architecture firm specializing in high-profile residential estates and gardens in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Over the years, he developed and honed his ability to craft unique estate gardens layered with bespoke details and aesthetics.

His driving passion has always been to make beautiful and sustainable outdoor spaces with thoughtful and sensitive site design. As a senior landscape architect, he has enjoyed the responsibility of working on an extensive portfolio of project types and scales.

Dave spends his free time traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with his wife.

As an alumnus of the University of Georgia’s College of Environment + Design landscape architecture program, Kiet boasts a myriad of expertise, both digital and analog. Upon commencement from college, he began his professional career honing his skills at a boutique landscape architecture firm specializing in high-end residential design. With project completions throughout the Southeast’s most sought-after neighborhoods and communities, Kiet aspires to create timeless and uniquely personalized spaces while building relationships with industry professionals and new clients. His enthusiasm for design compels him to create unique spaces rich in both detail and composition. When he’s not refining his skills as a landscape designer, Kiet enjoys spending his time tending to his various houseplants, building Lego sets, playing videogames, and exploring the best local dining establishments. 

Barrett earned his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia and has since gained extensive experience across the Southeastern United States. An avid traveler with a love for geography and great architecture, he draws inspiration from his journeys and continually pushes the boundaries of his creativity. Barrett is a skilled problem solver and project manager, with a particular knack for designing the details that make each landscape truly bespoke.

Now based in Florida’s Palm Beaches, he finds inspiration in the region’s unique history, culture, and natural beauty. When he’s not in the studio, Barrett enjoys cooking, surfing, traveling, and restoring his 1931 cottage with his wife, Caroline.

Having grown up on the Georgia coast as the daughter of two architects, Caroline developed an early sensitivity to design, a deep appreciation for nature, and a keen eye for a sense of place. After graduating from the University of Georgia, she began her career on Florida’s Gulf Coast before moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, where she continued to refine a thoughtful, site-driven design approach at SWH. Her work is grounded in creating timeless outdoor spaces that intentionally reflect both architectural character and the lifestyles of the people who inhabit them.

Now living and working in Florida’s Palm Beaches with her husband, Barrett, Caroline draws daily inspiration from the region’s layered landscapes and rich history. Outside the studio, she can be found restoring their 1931 cottage, taking long walks with their dog, or antique-hunting, always drawn to objects and places with character, patina, and a story to tell.

Kennedy Bryant graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture and is originally from South Padre Island, Texas. With a deep appreciation for coastal landscapes and natural ecosystems, Kennedy is adept at applying her knowledge and unique skills to her work at SWH. She is passionate about creating sustainable, beautiful outdoor spaces that connect people to nature. 

In her free time, Kennedy enjoys traveling across Europe, exploring new cultures, and cherishing quality time with her family.

Hazel is a lifelong equestrian from Chattanooga, Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Georgia, earning her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and riding for the Division I Equestrian Team. 

Hazel brings enthusiasm and positivity to her work and is passionate about creating beautiful spaces. She has always had a discerning eye for design, which she attributes to her grandmother, a talented interior decorator. When she is not on a horse or working around the barn, she can be found spending quality time with friends and family, hiking, or playing pickleball. You will never see her without her companion, an English Cocker Spaniel named Walter Bell.

Colin Grinage grew up in Georgia and graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture. His design approach involves crafting near-poetic outdoor rooms that create individualistic memories for anyone who visits them. When not perusing through a record store or taking photos in the Smoky Mountains, Colin enjoys traveling around the world, finding inspiration in the fine details of a variety of natural landscapes.

Cooper Wilke was raised in Indiana and graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture.  He developed his understanding of landscape architecture through diverse projects involving urban parks, ecological restoration, and golf course design. During his studies, he and his classmates received an Indiana ASLA Merit Award for a collaborative project that emphasized thoughtful, intentional design to strengthen a local community. Outside of the office, Cooper enjoys making music, golfing, and hiking in the Smoky Mountains.

A Georgia native and graduate of the College of Charleston, Kathryn has always had a deep appreciation for design and the way it shapes how we live and feel. Her experience working with an interior designer sparked a lasting respect for the process and the details that make thoughtful design possible, both indoors and out. Now working in the world of landscape architecture, Kathryn is drawn to the connection between people, place, and the natural environment. As part of SWH’s national business development team, she assists the firm with expanding its presence across the United States.

Inspired by travel and different cultures, she’s always curious to learn and explore new perspectives. In her free time, she enjoys staying active, seeking out new experiences, and spending time with friends.

Sherri supports the team in general operations, and is in charge of marketing, project management, and customer relations. She completed her Bachelor’s of Marketing at Mississippi State University and is a passionate traveler who spends her leisure time hiking, biking, and kayaking with her active family.

Candace graduated from South College with an accounting degree and is furthering her education with the aim of becoming bilingual. Her commitment, organizational excellence, and passion for her role make her an invaluable asset to the workplace. She takes immense pride in her responsibilities and derives fulfillment from supporting her executives and enhancing office efficiency.

Originally from Alabama, Candace has lived in Knoxville for many years. She has a particular affinity for travel, especially to the stunning landscapes of the West and Europe. An avid reader, Candace finds solace and joy in both fiction and nonfiction literature. In the fall, she can often be found enthusiastically cheering for her favorite football team, the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Andrea is an East Tennessee native and is proud to live, work, and play in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. She is a Carson-Newman College alumna and graduate of the prestigious Bonner Scholar servant leadership program. Before joining SWH, she gained over twenty years of experience in public accounting and the nonprofit sector.

Andrea enjoys traveling internationally and throughout the US, specifically to our National Parks, where she enjoys camping and hiking. She is a mom of three, an avid reader (specifically of historical fiction), and loves being outdoors with her husband, Nathan, and taking long walks with her Black Mouth Cur pup, Quinn Lillie.