Meet Our Team

A Rock Solid Team for Landscaping & Construction

Our success is built on our talented team's dedication, expertise, and passion. Each member brings unique skills, years of experience, and a shared commitment to excellence that drives every project we take on.

From skilled craftspeople and innovative designers to customer-focused project managers, our team works collaboratively to deliver exceptional results that enhance your home and outdoor spaces. Get to know the people behind Rock Solid Services—the professionals who combine technical expertise with creative vision to bring your ideas to life.

We are proud to be a team prioritizing integrity, quality, and customer satisfaction in everything we do!

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    Experience
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Jim Metzger

President & Director of Sales

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Jim is a native of Hastings, MN, graduating from Hastings High in 1979 before heading to Winona State University. He earned a degree in Marketing and a minor in Accounting. After working in the restaurant and financial industries, his landscaping and lawn care experience started with his work in a family business over 20 years ago.

Jim’s strong desire to only use superior quality irrigation equipment and create a better customer service experience drove him to launch Rock Solid Services in 2007. Rock Solid originally was a landscape supply store, but through Jim’s leadership, he added an irrigation division, landscape division and lawn care in the first 3 years. With the help of his son, Avery, they added a construction division in 2024.

His commitment to preserving our most important natural resources has made Rock Solid recognized as Minnesota’s Leader in Water Conservation.

As owner, operator, sales, CFO, and marketer Jim rarely has a day off, but on when he can, he enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife of 35 years on their patio bar. He stays busy in the “off-season” with volunteer basketball coaching, babysitting his 2 grandkids, and traveling to warmer destinations, like a Florida poolside.

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Avery Metzger

Construction Manager

Avery Metzger Headshot

Avery graduated with honors from Anoka High School in 2020, where he played basketball, was a member of the golf team, and a member of National Honor Society. He received an academic scholarship to Bethel College in Minnesota and completed college in 3.5 years, graduating in Dec. of 2023, with a marketing degree.

Avery started coming to work with Jim when he was 8 years old, and soon was running skid steers, mowers, and anything with a motor. He worked on the irrigation crew through high school learning how to design and install complete irrigation systems. Upon graduating from college, he was hired full time as a sales and marketing manager, and he is now in charge of the construction division which includes sales, marketing, and installation of all construction projects.

When Avery isn’t working, he’s golfing, enjoying homeownership with his girlfriend, and working on his home. He installed a new patio and retaining wall in 2024 and has plans for more! Avery also enjoys the community he lives in, taking advantage of local concerts and the nightlife, and he became a member of the Parks and Rec. board in Columbia Heights in 2024.

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Jeff Davis

Landscape Manager

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Jeff grew up in Sherburn, MN, and started working at a landscape nursery when he was 16. He was naturally interested in learning about plant materials and began installing landscapes over 30 years ago. He began adding hardscape installations to his jobs and installed his first paver brick patio in 1985.

Jeff worked as a landscape foreman for 28 years before joining the sales team at Rock Solid Services. He is passionate about providing beautiful outdoor spaces for his clients and incorporates various products to achieve the desired result. Jeff creates landscape designs for clients that involve retaining walls, paver brick patios and walkways, planting beds, water features, fire pits, fire tables, outdoor kitchens, landscape lighting, and drainage solutions.

He believes in continuing education to keep up with the current trends and best practices. He is a certified nursery and landscape professional through the University of MN, a certified paver installer through the International Concrete Paver Institute, and a certified retaining wall installer through the National Concrete and Masonry Association.

In his free time, Jeff enjoys outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, camping, snowmobiling, and vacationing in the Caribbean during the cold winter months.

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Patrick Popehn

Director of Operations

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Patrick has been in the Green Industry since 2000, working in all aspects of Landscape Design and installation, Irrigation, turf management, and lighting. In 2002, he earned his degree in Landscape Technology from Anoka Technical College. He continues his education annually to further his knowledge and learn about new products, equipment, and construction techniques.

Patrick has built a great team around him of installers, manufacturer reps, other business owners, and wholesale distributors, which leverages his ability to get projects completed on time with the best products, knowledge, and a superior customer experience.

His residential and commercial experience includes but is not limited to challenging retaining wall projects, paver patios, steps, fire features, outdoor entertainment spaces, snow removal, water features, green spaces, and project management.

As the Director of Operations at Rock Solid Services, he is responsible for the communication & project management of all landscape installations. He applies his industry knowledge and leverages his team to provide high-quality landscape and Irrigation installations year after year.

Patrick takes great pride in every project he is involved with. He enjoys getting to know each client and being a resource for educating them throughout the entire process and how to maintain their landscape for years to come. In his spare time, you will find him coaching youth hockey, on the sidelines of a lacrosse field, fishing, golfing, relaxing at his family cabin, working on home projects, and spending quality time with his family.

Landscaping Gardening Steps

Our Clients Think We Rock!

First as an irrigation and landscaping company, and now with our construction services, our clients are impressed with our process and beautiful results!

Rock Solid Tips & Tricks

How to Choose the Right Stone for Your Patio Image

How to Choose the Right Stone for Your Patio

Not sure how to pick the best patio stones? Discover the benefits and options of patio materials, and learn how Rock Solid Services can transform your outdoor space.

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