Personnel News

Edward Hodnett was named vice president of business development for Advanced Aer Systems. Hodnett joined Advanced Aer in October 2003 as director of agronomy - West and was previously a consulting agronomist with Golfturf/Nicklaus Design.

"Ed's deep knowledge of turf agronomy, his extensive golf course management experience and his understanding of the golf industry makes him the perfect person for this position," comments Walter Norley, president of Advanced Aer Systems. In his new position, Hodnett will expand the golf course industry's awareness and understanding of Advanced Aer's product and service offerings and will forge strategic partnerships with golf course development, design, construction and management companies.

To better serve the differing needs of green industry customers, Bayer Environmental Science announced an expansion and repositioning of existing sales and marketing resources within Chipco Professional Products.

"Our greatest asset is our people," said Dan Carrothers, vice president, Chipco Professional Products. "By concentrating on specific markets, our sales representatives will magnify their ability to listen to our customers and address turf and ornamental opportunities and issues."

The recent creation of a national lawn care/landscape and grounds maintenance region with a dedicated sales manager and sales representatives will allow current sales regions to specialize on golf course customers in their areas. Additionally, business managers in the Bayer home office were assigned as market leads for either the golf our lawn and landscape industries.

As a result of the changes, Brian Tepper, former manager of Bayer's Global Termite Portfolio, was recently named western regional sales manager. Jim Davis migrated to northern sales manager for the golf division from his previous position as southern region sales manager, which now belongs to Dave Ravel. Also, Eric Kalasz took on the responsibilities of golf market lead for Bayer and will direct all marketing activities for the golf industry, in addition to his role as business manager - fungicides.

Bryan Gooch was recently named business manager - insecticides for Bayer Environmental Science. His responsibilities include product and project management and business team leadership for many Bayer turf and ornamental insecticide products.

Also, Gooch takes on the role of marketing lead for the lawn and landscape industry. In this position, he supports the recently announced customer focus initiative and the dedicated lawn and landscape region.

"Bryan brings solid experience in sales and marketing to his new position," says Jim Fetter, director of marketing for Chipco Professional Products. "His experience in the southern market gives him an excellent familiarity with the fire ant problem, which is a major opportunity for Chipco TopChoice."

Personnel changes at LESCO have strengthened the company's marketing department. In addition to hiring Bob West as director of marketing, several other additions were made to the marketing team. Chris Paczak is category director, combination and control products; Dave Woznicki became product manager, combination and control products; Tom Newbould is merchandising manager; Addm Shaw is product analyst, equipment; and Jednne Hui became product analyst, fertilizer and seed.

"The LESCO name is obviously one of the best-known names in the turf care industry and for good reason," notes Michael DiMino, LESCO president and chief executive officer. "These recent moves are indicative of the company's increasing commitment to communicating the value of the LESCO experience to our current and new customers alike."

Ken Gordon, former member of the United States Golf Association (USGA) Executive Committee passed away in February at age 87. Gordon spent nearly 20 years serving the boards of the Metropolitan Golf Association and the USGA. From 1968 to 1975, he served on the USGAs Executive Committee, including two years as secretary. During that time, he chaired the Museum Committee and helped lay the groundwork for the association's move from New York City to Far Hills, NJ.

At Club Car, David Rowles was appointed to the newly-created position of vice president of worldwide sales. He will be responsible for golf and utility vehicle sales, national accounts, aftermarket sales and advertising and promotions.

Rowles was previously vice president of sales and marketing Asia Pacific/Latin America for Ingersoll-Rand's infrastructure sector and has more than 25 years of experience with Ingersoll-Rand, the parent company of Club Car.

Simplot Partners named two sales representatives for the southwestern United States. Craig Hanson will work in the South-Central California market and be responsible for the distribution of fertilizer, turfgrass seed and chemical products. Hanson is a Class A member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and was the regional superintendent for Arnold Palmer Golf Management, based at Taquitz Creek Country Club in Palm Springs, Calif.