Kenny Collins

About Kenny Collins

Over the course of 20 years, Kenny Collins has built a company from two men with a truck and a couple of shovels into a thriving group of multiple installation crews with specialist craftsmen. His philosophy has always been to put people first, both internally and in client relationships. Kenny also places great emphasis on structural and horticultural integrity, encouraging continuing education, experimentation, and research to augment the collective team experience. “We are continuously improving how we do things, and we never sacrifice our own integrity by taking a shortcut.” He believes that every element contributes to the value of the garden, from the effectiveness of the drainage and water management, to concert-quality outdoor sound and thoughtful landscape lighting. “Community in life is paramount and the gardens that we create cultivate this on another level. They have the ability to promote community in a unique way.” The work at DabneyCollins is ultimately all about people and valuing relationships; when the relationships are solid, everything else will follow. “It does take a team and I love ours. So much more is possible when we work together.”

Experience

1. Owner

   The Collins Group, Inc

   Jan 2000 — Present

   As part of his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Horticulture & Turfgrass Management at Clemson University, Kenny worked at Pinehurst Golf Course with Club Corp of America to help construct Tom Fazio’s number 8 course. After working on the Fazio course, Kenny followed CCA to Aspen-Glenn, Colorado to aid in the construction of a Jack Nicklaus-designed course located in the Rocky Mountains. Upon graduation, he expanded his knowledge from infrastructure to turf-management as an assistant golf-course superintendent with Randy Long at Thornblade in Greenville, SC. After creating The Collins Group, Inc. and purchasing J. Dabney Peeples Design and Associates in the learning curve increased exponentially. It has been a blessing to have the opportunity to learn from our own history of both successes and failures related to landscapes. How a garden matures is a direct reflection on how well it was designed and constructed, and with the posture of learning, we have a platform to grow in many ways. It truly is a pleasure to have such a talented design, construction, and accessory team that has the knowledge and ability to create timeless gardens. I love what I do and the team that makes it all happen.

Education

• Clemson University

  BS in Horticulture and turf grass management, Horticulture & Truf Management

  1994 — 1997

• Clemson University and West Georgia College

  Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Horticultural Science

  1994 — 1997

Skills

• Hardsape
• Decks
• Construction
• Contractors
• Customer Service
• Construction Management
• Budgets
• Contract Negotiation
• Horticulture
• Irrigation