Magazine - New line up for Living Turf.

By Rob Cooper in Industry News on 22nd Jan 2009 15:30

New line up for Living Turf.



To start the year on a positive note, Living Turf is proud to advise that John Cullen, Allen Speechley and David Worrad (effective 19 Feb) all join our team in 2009.  These recruits join Rob Cooper, Stuart Miller and Myles Payne and will strengthen our team's ability to service an expanding client base.

The new look Living Turf team is as follows;

Rob Cooper - sales agronomist

Rob Cooper started Living Turf in 2003 with the goal of developing a technically competent, product distribution service for professional turf managers. With more than a decade in technical, marketing and business management, Rob's career in turf agronomy stretches back to 1994 and includes a stint with a multi-national fetiliser manufacturer. Before that Rob's practical experience included turf wicket and sportsfield curating and prior to that bowling greenkeeping.  As a sales agronomist Rob is broadly capable in weed, pests and disease control, nutrition, soil and plant science and problem solving. Working equally in golf, sports and open space turf maintenance, Rob's other consultancy activities get Living Turf involved in construction projects for sports turf and public open space.


David Worrad - sales agronomist

David commences with us in Feb and has a wealth of experience in commercial turf, having worked in a series of technical, marketing, product development and sales roles. Having started his career at the Australian Turfgrass Research Institute, David has an excellent pedigree as a turf agronomist and is widely respected by his peers throughout the turf industry. David joins Living Turf with the expressed purpose of returning to the coal face as a sales agronomist. Having worked in head office positions for an extended period, David admits to missing the personal and professional relationships he has developed over the years with golf superintendents, sportsfield and open space managers. We are thrilled with the skills and knowledge that David brings to Living Turf, not to mention the ethical approach to business that has been his trademark and one that fits well with our own philosophy.

Stuart Miller - technical sales representative

Stuart has over a decade's experience in turf sales, servicing the Illawarra, south coast of NSW and ACT. He joined Living Turf 18 months ago after three years away from front line sales, working as a territory manager with a prominent fertiliser manufacturer.  Having missed his customers and the front line sales role, Stuart is a turf tragic and couldn't be happier with his role at Living Turf. Working from home in Kiama, Stuart is front and centre for the Illawarra turf managers he grew up with since joining the trade as a bowling greenkeeper.  Stuart has been a breath of fresh air for Living Turf and his performance to date confirms our faith in his appointment.


John Cullen - technical sales representative

With a background as a golf superintendent and over ten years experience in turf sales, John has a broad network of industry relationships, both personal and professional. Now with Living Turf, John is eager to develop the high level of customer service that has become his trademark.
John's reasons for joining Living Turf are primarily;
1. The ability to sell great brands like Matchplay, Simplot and Syngenta.
2. The opportunity to start a new and progressive phase in his career.
3. The chance to join a vibrant young team with and excellent service ethic.
We are flattered that John views Living Turf as the vehicle with which to develop his career. His affinity with his customers and his views on meeting their service needs cuts to the chase, and will help keep Living Turf relevant to our clients in an ever changing market place.

Myles Payne - Logistics

After his greenkeeping trade and 5 years experience in warehouse management for a national turf distributor, Myles headed off for an overseas experience.  Working in various turf and landscape roles over a period of two years he managed to keep his hand well and truly in the trade. Upon returning from overseas Myles joined Living Turf and has managed the logistics function for 12 months now.  Myles has been instrumental in setting up our Marrickville warehouse facility and has excellent knowldge of turf products. He is quickly building a mutual understanding with key suppliers and is enthusiastic about customer satisfaction.



Allan Speechley - Supply chain

Allan Speechley is best described as a supply chain specialist. Having started his working life as a delivery driver, he has developed professionally through customer service, inventory management, computer systems and logistics coordination. Allan joins Living Turf to manage our supply chain and to take the lead with front line deliveries. In short time he will address our light commercial vehicle needs and help to manage the growth we are expecting as our new sales team get to work. Those who know Allan will appreciate what a wonderful appointment he is for Living Turf and we are looking forward to getting him up to speed in order to streamline our inventory management and delivery timelines.

Farewell to Trent Frazer

We are saddened to receive the resignation of Trent Frazer, who has been an important part of our team for two years. Trent is returning to Orange to help out on the family farm which has received some welcome rainfall over the past eighteen months. Trent will also work as a research agronomist based in Orange and has purchased a house to set some roots in the area where he grew up. We wish Trent all the very best with his future and appreciate the contribution he has made to Living Turf during his stay. Anybody wishing to contact Trent after his departure can do so via Living Turf as I'm sure will remain in close contact.


At Living Turf we are committed to improving our service to the turf market in NSW / ACT, to the benefit of our clients, our supply partners and our valued employees.

As a result, we constantly scan the turf market to judge ourselves against industry best practise. In turn we regularly speak with our peers and keep an open mind about how we need to develop as a business.

In 2008 we decided that our prominent standing with important brands like Matchplay, Simplot and Syngenta, required a wider reaching and highly competent sales force.  The recruitment we proudly present in this newsletter, is planned to achieve sales growth that is simultaneously supported by robust customer service.  Our challenge now is to form a cohesive team that is as competent as it reads on paper. We are looking forward to that challenge and hope we can work with you into the future.

Thank you for taking the time to update yourself with the development of Living Turf and again, all the best for 2009.

Regards,
Rob Cooper

For more information about Living Turf head to the website : www.livingturf.com
Or contact on email accounts@livingturf.com or phone 02 9517 9107

Read more articles in Industry News, by Rob Cooper or from January 2009.