The Team

Orleans native Steve Minster has been doing expert stone work for Ponderosa for nine years now. His favorite jobs include water features, and a patio near Rock Harbor – due to the natural feel of both jobs, and their unique and creative characteristics. Steve and his wife Karen have three children, Natalie, Eli and Lila, and Steve also plays the tuba in Gabriel V Brass Ensemble.

Peter McKendree is a native Cape Codder who has worked with Ponderosa Landscaping for 21 years. Peter has a passion for stone. His two favorite jobs to date include: first, the atrium space outside of the Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans, which features a swirling pattern with stone from Mexico, and second, a pool and spa in Chatham worked with stone from India, a beautiful and rare material at the time of the project. Peter and his wife Laura have two great Australian shepherds, and love to hike and go to the beach. Pete’s love for dogs extends to all four-legged creatures, including a couple cows which he helps milk and take care of at a nearby barn. He’s also an accomplished singer (baritone) and trumpet player, and by his own admission has two addictions: chocolate, and the New England Patriots.

In 1980, Paul made the move from Annapolis, MD to Cape Cod, and started Ponderosa Landscaping. For 36 years, the company’s signature red trucks have covered the Cape, transporting plants and soil, stone and tools, and all the materials – and workers! – needed to make every unique project shine. Paul’s great love for the outdoors, his enthusiasm for meeting and working with people, and his artistic passion for color and creativity have helped make Ponderosa what it is today. Paul and his wife Karen have two dogs, Blane (a Cairn Terrier) and Bodie (a Brittany). Even when he’s not landscaping, Paul can still be found outdoors, making art, fishing, and generally loving Cape Cod.

Allison Bayer has a passion for people, and as the business manager of Ponderosa she brings that added element of care to every aspect of her job. Allison lives in Eastham with her husband Craig (a Truro detective), her English Mastiff Magnus, her cat Thomas, and five ducks! She definitely considers the Ponderosa team her extended family. When she’s not at Ponderosa, Allison is pursuing her new hobby – Cape Cod Roller Derby!

Ali Thompson hails from Braintree, MA, but 10 years ago, after years of vacationing on the Cape with her family, she decided to make it home. Ali has been with Ponderosa since 2005. She says she always hesitates to tell people she is a “landscaper,” since the job is so much more involved than weeding or spreading mulch. Ali has a heart for understanding what clients want and how to guide them, seeing the big picture of projects while taking care of all the tiny details, and keeping up with educational and professional standards. She loves being outdoors 75% of the time, connected to nature, with each day providing new challenges and opportunities. Ali and her husband have a 2-year-old daughter who loves “helping” mommy in the garden, and a brand new baby boy born this summer. Gardening is a family affair! After work, you can find Ali spending her free time in her own garden, where she grows not only perennials and vegetables, but also hops, which she and her husband harvest in the fall and use to make home-brewed beer. The word is they're getting pretty good at it!

A native of Philadelphia, Charles Wentz finally made it to the Cape (via Boston) in 1991. That same year he went to work for Ponderosa Landscaping, and has been faithfully beautifying grounds and properties all over the Cape ever since. Charles’ passion involves jobs within a conservation area: explaining to the client the philosophical reasoning and methods for the job, devising a plan that’s acceptable to the conservation commissions, and then executing it to everyone’s satisfaction. With his extensive knowledge of plants and horticulture, his professional expertise and artistic eye – and the help of his co-workers – Charles takes pride in helping to create desirable environments for people to enjoy. Outside of landscaping, Charles has two grown children, three grandchildren, and loves walking, observing nature, photography, and helping kids.

A true Cape Codder, Scott Anthony makes his home in Brewster, and has been with Ponderosa for 10 years. Being reliable, trustworthy, and working with a good sense of humor are all high on Scott’s priority list. His favorite Ponderosa challenge so far was rebuilding a beach in his home town of Brewster, after a N’easter had destroyed it. And no wonder – next to his two daughters and his dog Campton, Cape Cod Bay has captured Scott’s heart, and lobstering is one of his major passions!

Stephanie Dacey is a happy recent addition to both Ponderosa and Cape Cod! All those beautiful photos you’ve seen of Ponderosa’s incredible jobs? Those are thanks to Stephanie. Stephanie is a true artist – she paints, works with charcoal and pencil – and her artistry shines through as she strives to capture every detail of the amazing work of the Ponderosa crews. A single mom of three – Fiona 7, Orlin 5, and Maddalyn 3 – Stephanie brings her creative, adventurous spirit to everything she does.