David Hunt

Experienced Turf, Horticulture & Operations Professional Seeking Leadership Opportunity

I am currently exploring opportunities in Operations Management, Turf Management, Athletic Field Management, Horticulture, or Facilities/Grounds Management.

With 22+ years in the landscape industry, 15+ years of athletic sports field management, and 24 years of experience in Landscape Horticulture, I bring a combination of hands-on technical expertise and proven leadership experience.

My background includes:

• Operations and personnel management
• Athletic field and turf management
• Turf fertility, weed and pest management
• Commercial pesticide applications
• Irrigation management
• Landscape and grounds maintenance
• Equipment and fleet management
• Budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation
• Project management and contractor/vendor coordination
• Crew leadership and training
• Landscape construction and site development
• Arboriculture and horticultural management

I hold four A.S. degrees in Horticulture, Landscape Design, Golf Course Management, and Pest Control, along with a Florida Commercial Pesticide Applicator License, Arborist certification, Class A CDL, and multiple contractor/excavation licenses.

I am particularly interested in a management or leadership position where I can oversee people, operations, turf/grounds programs, equipment, budgets, and day-to-day performance while helping an organization improve efficiency and maintain exceptional playing surfaces and landscapes.

I am open to opportunities throughout Florida and potentially beyond, depending on the position and organization.

I have attached my resume and would welcome the opportunity to connect with anyone in the TurfNet community who may know of an organization looking for an experienced Turf & Operations Management professional.

Thank you, and I look forward to connecting with fellow professionals in the industry.

Education & Professional Development

My educational background provides a strong technical and operational foundation for my career in turf management, horticulture, athletic fields, and grounds operations.

I hold four Associate of Science degrees from Indian River State College:

* A.S. in Horticulture
* A.S. in Landscape Design
* A.S. in Golf Course Management
* A.S. in Pest Control

This multidisciplinary education has given me a comprehensive understanding of turfgrass science, horticulture, plant health, soil and fertility management, irrigation, pest control, landscape design, golf course management, and athletic field operations.

Combined with 22+ years in the landscape industry and extensive leadership and field-management experience, my education allows me to approach operations from both a technical and management perspective—from developing maintenance programs and managing personnel and equipment to budgeting, scheduling, quality control, and implementing efficient turf and grounds-management practices.

I believe the combination of formal education, industry certifications, and decades of hands-on experience provides me with a well-rounded foundation for a leadership role in Turf Management, Operations Management, Athletic Field Management, Horticulture, or Grounds/Fleet Operations.

Qualifications

* 22+ years of professional experience in the landscape and green industry
* 24 years of experience in Landscape Horticulture
* 15+ years of athletic sports field management experience
* Experienced in operations management, crew leadership, scheduling, budgeting, and project management
* Advanced knowledge of turfgrass management, fertility programs, weed control, pest management, and plant health
* Experienced in athletic field construction, renovation, maintenance, and field preparation
* Strong background in irrigation systems, troubleshooting, and water management
* Experienced in equipment, fleet, and maintenance operations
* Florida Commercial Pesticide Applicator licensed in Ornamental & Turf, Right-of-Way, Natural Areas, and Aquatics
* Certified Arborist
* Class A CDL
* Multiple contractor/excavation licenses
* Four A.S. degrees in Horticulture, Landscape Design, Golf Course Management, and Pest Control
* Experienced in personnel supervision, training, safety, quality control, and vendor/contractor coordination
* Strong understanding of chemical application, integrated pest management, fertility, soil management, and plant health
* Experienced in managing large-scale grounds and landscape operations while maintaining high standards of quality, efficiency, safety, and professionalism
* Proven ability to combine hands-on technical expertise with leadership and operational management

Professional Work History

St. Lucie County School Board – Athletic Field Specialist
15+ Years

* Responsible for the management and maintenance of high-quality athletic fields and grounds.
* Managed turfgrass programs including fertilization, weed control, pest management, irrigation, and plant health.
* Performed and coordinated athletic field preparation, maintenance, renovation, and improvements.
* Managed chemical application programs in accordance with applicable regulations and safety requirements.
* Operated and maintained specialized turf and landscape equipment.
* Coordinated daily maintenance activities, scheduling, materials, and equipment needs.
* Worked closely with school administration, contractors, vendors, and maintenance personnel.
* Maintained athletic facilities to high standards for practices, games, tournaments, and other events.

DNR Landscaping & Excavation – Owner / Operations Management
Landscape, Horticulture & Excavation Operations

* Manage day-to-day business operations, employees, equipment, scheduling, estimating, purchasing, customer relations, and project execution.
* Oversee commercial and residential landscape maintenance, turf management, irrigation, fertilization, pest control, tree work, land clearing, forestry mulching, and excavation projects.
* Develop maintenance programs and manage crews to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and to customer specifications.
* Responsible for estimating, proposals, contracts, budgeting, invoicing, equipment management, and vendor coordination.
* Manage commercial accounts and large-scale landscape and grounds projects.

PepsiCo – Sales Representative
2001–2004

* Managed a large customer territory and developed strong customer-service and account-management skills.
* Oversaw and coordinated the activities of approximately 25 employees/personnel.
* Responsible for scheduling, customer relationships, product distribution, sales performance, and operational coordination.
* Developed valuable experience in personnel management, logistics, accountability, and business operations.

Landscape & Horticulture Industry – Progressive Experience
22+ Years

* More than two decades of progressive experience across landscape maintenance, horticulture, turf management, pest management, irrigation, landscape construction, arboriculture, and grounds operations.
* Extensive hands-on experience combined with management, leadership, estimating, project coordination, and business operations.
* Experience managing people, equipment, materials, budgets, schedules, and multiple projects simultaneously.