John Newman, President and Lead Designer
John's background in the green industry began in 1986 with the SE United States' most successful developer of multi-family housing, Post Properties Inc. John received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia in 1990. He also received the Post Properties' Doug Bates Memorial Scholarship for outstanding vocational and academic performance in 1988. He is a Certified Georgia Plant Professional (#450). John and his work have been featured in publications such as the Atlanta Journal and Constitution in 1999 and USA Today in 2003. He was also featured on HGTV's Groundbreakers on Sunday October 5, 2008
Derek Butler, Team Leader
Derek is a graduate of Fayette County High School. He has earned a Degree in Criminal Justice from Griffin Technical College. Previous to joining the Classic team Derek has held management and customer service positions including working at a local garden center and landscape company.
Joe Camp, Team Member
Joe is a recent graduate of New Creation Center in McDonough, GA and is DOT certified. He has worked for Jonesboro First Baptist and has gained his gardening experience from working on his family farm in Clayton County and for Worthington Christmas Tree Farm in Hampton.
Donnie Longenecker, Landscape Architect
Donnie Longenecker, the founder of DTC,Inc., has been involved in land development for almost 20 years. Donnie graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Landscape Architecture. He then received a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois.
After obtaining his MLA, Donnie worked for a large international landscape architecture firm, specializing in multi family, single family and commercial projects in the metropolitan Washington, DC area.
He then accepted a position within a large publicly traded development company and was an integral member of a project team that oversaw acquisition and development of resort residential communities throughout the southeastern US. He was responsible for all land planning, and the design and construction of entryways and amenities.
In 2002, Donnie became an instructor in the School of Environmental Design at the University of Georgia (the largest and highest ranked undergraduate school of landscape architecture in the world) where he teaches design studio classes in Computer Aided Design, Engineering, Land Planning, Environmental Planning, Recreational Design and Landscape Construction.
Valorie Moore, Administrative Assistant
Valorie graduated from Forest Park High School. Valorie also attended Brewton Parker Baptist College, the Branell Institute and taught pre-school in the south Atlanta area. Valorie is an active volunteer in our community and has worked in administrative positions for over 10 years. Valorie is the newest member of our team.
John Shepherd, Senior Team Leader
John is a graduate of Union Grove High School. John is currently working on his Associate's in Environmental Horticulture Degree at Griffin Tech. Prior to coming on board, he worked for Pike's Stone and Aquatic Center as a sales associate. John placed second nationally at PLANET's Student Career Days in March 2008 in the mini track loader competition among over 800 student participants.
