News and people briefs

 

Aquatrols has named Matt Foster president and chief executive officer.

 

Formerly the company's chief operating officer, Foster is responsible for company performance in product development and manufacturing, marketing, sales, human resources, operations and logistics, financial management and other business functions. 

 

His new role follows a transition period during which longtime president Tracy Jarman and director of sales Andy Moore have been shifting from operational duties to help guide strategy as directors on Aquatrols' executive board.

 

Following its acquisition by Rural American Fund in 2015, Aquatrols has expanded the leadership team, streamlined operations, instituted an aggressive research and development plan, and expanded product distribution.

 

A former superintendent, Foster has 25 years of experience in the green industry where he was most recently global director of plant health for FMC Corp.

 

Turfgrass Producers International recently named Casey Reynolds, PhD, as the association's executive director.

 

Reynolds most recently was an assistant professor and turfgrass extension specialist at Texas A&M, where he coordinated statewide turfgrass research and extension programs. He was the creator and editor of the program's website, AggieTurf.tamu.edu, and developed much of its educational content. Prior to joining Texas A&M, he served as a turfgrass research and extension associate for North Carolina State University from 2003-2013.

 

A native of rural North Carolina, he earned a bachelor's degree, master's degree and Ph.D. all from North Carolina State. His wife, Diane, has a doctorate in entomology and works for Adama, an agrichemical company.

  

Reynolds can be contacted at creynolds@TurfGrassSod.org.

 

Redexim Turf Products named Tim Schwierjohn to its staff.

 

Based in Imperial, Missouri, Schwierjohn has more than 15 years of real world experience in the turf business either as a superintendent, general manager or assistant superintendent at golf courses throughout the St. Louis area.

 

"Tim has been a valuable resource as a superintendent and we are thrilled to have him join our sales team," said Paul Hollis, executive vice president.

 

Daniel O'Brien, a graduate student in the University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, has earned a Future Leaders in Science Award from the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America.

 

O'Brien, who is working on his master's degree in horticulture with a concentration in turfgrass management, was presented the award at the annual ASA, CSSA and SSSA Congressional Visits Day in Washington, D.C., March 14. He was one of only 18 recipients for 2017. The awards are in recognition of interest and engagement in science advocacy.

 

O'Brien is a horticulture program technician working with professor Doug Karcher, assisting in turfgrass research. O'Brien's research focuses on adapting technologies used in turfgrass management, particularly as they relate to golf course putting greens.

 

O'Brien earned his bachelor's degree in agronomy and soils from Auburn University and joined the U of A Horticulture Department in 2013.

 

ASA, CSSA and SSA are scientific societies helping members advance the disciplines and practices of agronomy, crop, soil sciences and related disciplines.

 

 

United Turf Alliance announced the appointment of George Furrer as its chief executive officer. United Turf Alliance markets turf protection products under the ArmorTech and Optimizer brand names exclusively through its members and dealer partners.

 

Furrer's career in the industry spans nearly 30 years and includes management positions at both the distribution and manufacturing levels of the turf and ornamental industry.

 

In January, UTA also appointed Aaron Goy to fill the newly created position of Director of Sales and Marketing. The new role was created to support the growth of UTA and better support its members and dealer partners.

 

SipcamRotam recently named Michael Maravich as its vice president for specialty business. He replaces George Furrer, who was is the new CEO of United Turf Alliance.

 

Maravich will oversee the specialty business comprised by turf, ornamental and material preservation business segments.

 

Maravich is a graduate of the turfgrass management program at Ohio State. He is based in La Quinta, California.