People on the Move: promotions and hires from Bayer, United Turf Alliance and more

The Bayer’s Lawn and Ornamental (T&O;) business called in a veteran turf expert, Jesse Benelli, Ph.D., as a new member of its US Green Solutions team.

It is responsible for providing scientific support and technical expertise to superintendents and lawn maintenance operators in the southern region. Benelli brings to this role more than 15 years of experience in the turf industry.

Most recently, Benelli was a technical expert for the Bayer T&O; organization in Canada. Prior to joining Bayer, he was director of turf programs for the Chicago District Golf Association. In addition, he has worked on several golf courses in Tennessee and Pennsylvania. Benelli obtained his masters and his doctorate. in Lawn and Plant Pathology from the University of Tennessee. He will return to the South-East with his wife and two sons.

Alliance of United Territories (UTA) named Nicolas Souche as the new CEO. The strain replaces Georges furrer, who is now the Managing Director of Valley Green.

“I look forward to leading UTA as we continue to develop the ArmorTech and Optimizer portfolios. With a clear commitment to turf and ornamental professionals, UTA is well positioned to meet the changing demands of the industry, ”said Strain.

Strain has nearly 15 years of industry experience including sales positions with distributors and manufacturers, as well as leading the Turf and Ornamental Division for Control Solutions Inc. Most recently he held the position Vice President of Business Development at Primera. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The Davey Tree Expert Co. promoted David Inman to Davey’s Napa Residential / Commercial (R / C) Office District Manager.

Inman started his career at Davey in 2011 as a Ground Technician and has since held various positions as a Climber, Team Leader and Pest Care Technician, all for the Napa R / C office. In 2018, he was promoted to commercial arborist in the same office.

Inman is a certified arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture and holds an ISA Qualified Applicator License.

Kurtz Bros. President and CEO John kurtz recently received the first “Growing the Good in Business” award from the University of Mendoza Business College of Notre Dame.

Kurtz graduated in 2008 from the Executive MBA program in Mendoza.

The “Grow the Good in Business Award” recognizes a former student who owns or runs a business that is successful in their industry and that also has a positive social and environmental impact within their community and beyond. During the presentation of the award, the public learned that Kurtz Bros. had diverted and recycled over 10,000,000 tonnes of landfill material over the past decades. It was noted that the volume recycled by the company would fill the Notre-Dame stadium from the field to the top row of the stands more than 5 times.

Kurtz is an active member of the Notre Dame Club of Cleveland, as a board member and past president.