Own It

       This past week, what had been announced privately to the employees of Lawn & Golf Supply Company has finally been made official. Lawn & Golf Supply Company is now employee owned! Bob Holman had a dinner for all the employees on January 22nd. The reason for this special dinner was to discuss the future of the company. I have to admit when he stated, "There is going to be a new owner of Lawn & Golf", my heart dropped a little bit. After seeing the transition already from one owner to another once in my career, it was not something I was hoping for. Then in the next sentence Bob stated, "It's is YOU!",  I don't think it sunk in. Bob Holman was gifting the company to the employees. The company, that his father started in 1937 and that he and his brother ran, was now being giving to the people who made it go. Me, being with the company only a short time, I did not really understand how the amount of long term employees had been the basis of the culture. With 20 year & 30 year and even 40 plus year employees, that always indicates, to me, that it is a good place to work.
       This past week, the paper work was completed and with the blessing of lawyers and the IRS, Lawn & Golf Supply Company is now employee owned. But one of the original parts of the plan had slightly changed. Bob had spoken about being involved for another 3-5 years back in January. He has now decided that in October, 2016 he will be stepping away from the position of President of the company. With that being said, there were some other things that would change too. Ken Jeinnings, current Vice President/Sales Manager, would be transitioning into the Presidents role, as originally planned, just sooner. I will be transitioning into the spot that Ken had.
       Truly, pretty amazing; After a few years of not being happy with where I was working and trying to pursue different opportunities,  I will have a chance to manage the sales group at the oldest turf equipment dealer in Philadelphia is unreal. I had tried starting my own distributor, interviewed with multiple manufacturers for a factory representative positions, and in the end, it was hearing from two friends in the Turf industry, who's opinions I respected, that suggested calling Ken to talk. That is started the wheels in motion. I am really grateful to Bob and Ken for this incredible opportunity!


https://www.golfcourseindustry.com/gci/082715-Lawn-Supply-Golf.aspx
http://www.turfrepublic.com/2015/08/27/lawn-and-golf-now-employee-owned/

WJC


    

Chillaxation

       What is vacation for you? I think the last time I had a completely detached vacation, no communication, would have to go back to pre-cell phone times. While the always in touch world we live in helps us to be better at our jobs, in some respect, it also raises the expectations that no matter where you are or what you are doing, you need to get back to your co-workers and customers within a timely manner. Every vacation, I have the same hopes of turning off my phone and responding to emails and calls when I return. yeah, not so much....
       One of the best talks I have ever heard on vacation , as a turf manager, was given by John Segui, who at the time, had recently retired from his longtime superintendent position at Waynesborough CC, outside Philadelphia. John spoke of the need to get away with your family, even if it meant making some runs back and forth during the week. He spoke of how important it is to make time for your family. John, who is a past president of the GCSAA, is a truly a class act. To hear someone who was so successful advocate family, was great to hear. With the majority of courses starting to or down to the final days before aerification here in the Mid-Atlantic, shorter days are coming.
       Hopefully, you got a chance to spend some family time and as my 11 year old likes to call it Chillaxation!

WJC