Rising Stars: Meet Gavin Mohrmann of Dana Point

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gavin Mohrmann.

Hi Gavin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a former Army Infantry Officer, my initial draw to the service was simple: it brought me closer to nature. I loved the weeks spent in the field, stripped down to the essentials—my thoughts, my soldiers, and the land. After nine years of leading teams in combat environments, I took what I thought was the “safe” path: a career in technology.

While my time as a tech executive was invaluable, I realized I was working against my own nature. I missed the trees, the open air, and the satisfaction of building something tangible. I decided to return to my roots, merging my leadership experience with my passion for horticulture and landscape design.

Coming into the industry later in life is my greatest asset. I don’t just see an outdoor space; I see a mission. My background as an officer and tech executive taught me that no one person can master every discipline—but a great leader knows how to assemble a team of experts to execute a flawless vision. I bring a level of precision, project management, and strategic thinking to landscape construction that is rare in this field. I’m here to build something real, and I’ve built the team to get it done.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I feel incredibly fortunate to be where I am today, but the road here wasn’t paved—I had to clear it myself. Coming out of the military, I faced a period of ‘off-roading’ that many veterans know too well, navigating the heavy terrain of PTSD and addiction. That was my first real test of resilience.

From there, the challenge became one of reinvention. I had to shed my old skin twice: first to break into the tech world, and again to find my true calling as a landscape contractor. Today, the struggle is more of a balancing act. As a completely self-funded founder, I live in the tension between being disciplined and frugal enough to stay afloat, and having a bold enough growth mindset to scale. It hasn’t been a smooth ride, but the bumps are exactly what gave me the grit to build this business from the ground up.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Clearview Landscapes, we live by the philosophy of Design, Build, and Grow. We specialize in complete outdoor transformations, taking a project from the first conceptual sketch to a fully realized, structural environment that feels like a natural extension of the home.

I am known for technical precision and ecological intentionality. I’m obsessed with the ‘unseen’ bones of a project—the engineering of retaining walls and foundational grading—ensuring the hardscape lasts for decades. But we balance that structural strength with a deep expertise in Native California Flora. We purposefully source climate-appropriate plants that thrive in our local Orange County habitat, creating spaces that are both sustainable and stunning.

What sets us apart? It’s our End-to-End Partnership. We don’t just build; we collaborate. By handling both the heavy construction and the specialized horticulture, we offer a single point of accountability. Our clients get a partner who understands how the resilient hardwoods and pavers will interact with the living, growing elements of their yard.

What am I most proud of? The integrity of the work. My path from the military and tech taught me that successful projects are built on discipline and clear systems. As a self-funded founder, I take immense pride in the trust my neighbors place in me. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a project years later where the hardscape is rock-solid and the native garden is truly thriving.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, my world was a mix of discipline and performance. I was a dedicated violinist and an accomplished track athlete—two pursuits that require a high level of individual focus and a drive for constant improvement.

However, that stability was shaken when I was 15. My family lost our home, and we spent the remainder of my high school years in a state of constant transition. That experience of housing insecurity was a defining moment for me; it’s the primary reason I felt called to join the military at 17. I was looking for a sense of purpose and a way to build a more stable foundation for my future.

Personality-wise, I’ve never been a big talker. To this day, I speak a bit slower and more deliberately than most. In a fast-paced world, I know that can sometimes be a challenge for others, but it’s a reflection of how I approach everything in life: I like to listen first and process deeply before I speak. I’ve found that in my business, that same trait allows me to be more precise. I’m not interested in the ‘fast talk’ or the hard sell—I’m interested in being thoughtful, getting the details right, and building something that lasts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.clearview-landscapes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gavin_clearviewlandscapes/