Oro Design Group Studio Staff - Jason Nobbe, Keely Rizzato, Courtney Tarver, Haoting Li, and Alex Howell. Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge over Lady Bird Lake in Austin, TX. Austin skyline.
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Jason Nobbe, Principal

Jason is the kind of optimist who makes every project a joy to be part of! His upbeat approach to landscape architecture is contagious, creating a welcoming atmosphere for clients, consultants, and team members alike. Jason’s approachable leadership style encourages everyone around him to share ideas and collaborate, making projects not only successful but genuinely fun and memorable.

With 20 years of experience in landscape architecture, Jason has built a reputation as a trusted and reliable partner. Before co-founding Oro Design Group, he honed his skills as a Senior Project Manager at two major design firms in Austin. Thanks to this background, Jason has a deep understanding of every stage of a project—from concept to completion. He’s proactive in spotting potential issues early, ensuring a smooth process all the way through.

During documentation and construction, Jason works hand-in-hand with clients and contractors to deliver projects on time, on budget, and exactly as envisioned. His dedication to building strong relationships means clients, colleagues, and contractors not only value his expertise but love working with him too!


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Alex Howell, Principal

PLA TX#3219; AZ#58094; IL#157.001725; GA#LA001997;

LEED-AP; ASLA

Alex is all about creating site development projects that are not just functional but also sustainable, beautiful, and built to last—all while building strong relationships with clients. He’s a natural communicator, able to bring both big-picture ideas and technical details to life. With experience across Hospitality, Retail, Office, Healthcare, and Municipal Facilities, Alex brings a versatile skill set to every project he takes on.

As a designer, Alex leans toward a minimalist approach, focusing on materials, texture, rhythm, and color to create balanced and thoughtful compositions. His design philosophy emphasizes great attention to detail, aiming to highlight the best features of the site while complementing the surrounding architecture. For Alex, a successful design is about finding the perfect mix of environmental responsibility, social interaction, artistic inspiration, architectural structure, and cost-effectiveness.

Before co-founding Oro Design Group, Alex worked as an Associate and Project Manager with two large multi-disciplinary firms, managed a high-profile installation for a major landscape contractor, and was mentored early in his career by two FASLA professionals. These experiences have given him a deep understanding of both the design and construction sides of the industry.


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Courtney Tarver, Project Manager

PLA TX#3493

Courtney takes on significant responsibility as a Project Manager at Oro Design Group. Her deep understanding of conceptual design, jurisdictional requirements, and construction documentation positions her at the forefront of the firm’s most complex projects. Building on her experience with large-scale work at Oro and previous firms, Courtney brings a focus on design clarity that seamlessly bridges disciplines and supports integrated collaboration.

Throughout the design process, Courtney emphasizes the relationship between landscape, site, and architecture. Her affinity for modern architectural design is reflected in her bold approach to planting and hardscape, creating striking, contemporary spaces. With a keen eye for experiential quality and regional landscape character, her work achieves a thoughtful balance between functionality and context. Through the careful layering of materials, textures, and forms, Courtney brings richness and depth to every project.

Outside of work, she enjoys exploring urban environments, spending time with friends and family—and showing no mercy at the billiards table.


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Keely Rizzato, Project Manager

PLA TX#3384

Keely is an experienced project manager with a passion for creating landscapes that are thoughtful, functional, and visually compelling. Guided by a philosophy that pairs creative vision with practical solutions, Keely is dedicated to designing environments that enhance quality of life and honor the unique natural and cultural identity of each site. Her work prioritizes research and analysis to support sustainable, context-sensitive design solutions. Detail-oriented and deeply committed to client satisfaction, Keely approaches every project with precision and care.

Keely is a skilled coordinator, fostering collaboration to collectively solve complex challenges with creativity and efficiency at all stages of development. She values open communication and mutual respect as essential to building relationships and achieving shared goals - making her an invaluable advocate for the project and team. Her comprehensive project management abilities enable her to confidently lead public engagement processes, refine technical documentation, and ensure successful project delivery.


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Haoting Li, Designer

Haoting is passionate and forward-thinking landscape designer with a Masters of Landscape Architecture from Texas A&M University. Her design approach merges ecological sustainability with innovative thinking, drawing inspiration from contemporary landscape theory and practice. She is particularly adept in 3D modeling and enjoys using platforms like SketchUp, Lumion, and Enscape to bring complex ideas to life. This curiosity fuels my continual exploration of new tools and techniques to create meaningful, sustainable environments.

Outside of design, I’m deeply connected to the ocean. I began scuba diving in 2021 and currently hold an Advanced Open Water certification. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the natural world and continues to inform and inspire my work.

Driven by a love of travel, discovery, and collaboration, I bring a creative and open-minded perspective to every project.

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