Harrell’s expands in central U.S.

Harrell’s, manufacturer and distributor of performance-based turf and ornamental products, has expanded their golf team in the Midwest and is undergoing plans to open two warehouses in Houston and Dallas in the second quarter of 2014.

“Planned expansion and growth are part of our core values. Increasing resources in the Midwest and our move to South Central U.S. are integral steps in our master plan,” said Jack Harrell, Jr, third generation leader of Harrell’s. “We look forward to working with our brand partners to expand service to customers in the golf, horticulture and turf & landscape customers.”

Expansion in the Midwest includes a sales representative dedicated to the Columbus, Ohio market and two service technicians in Chicago, Illinois. “Keith Krause and Jason Funderburg are two of the most knowledgeable resources in the Chicago area. Keith and Jason have been providing agronomic support to our Midwest team since coming aboard in February,” said Kevin Fuchs, Harrell’s Midwest Golf Sales Manager. “And Jim Dillard is well-respected for his tenure in the Columbus market. Jim also joined our team in February and has been working to introduce the Columbus market to Harrell’s proprietary products and the services we offer.”

As for the South Central expansion, the Houston warehouse will be first to open in late April, with Dallas to follow before the end of second quarter. Operations staff is in place and making final preparations in Houston, while Harrell’s works to assemble their Dallas team. “We are anxious to serve our customers as we put the final touches on our Houston warehouse,” said Roland Card, director of distribution. Harrell’s has formerly served customers out of their Sylacauga, Ala., and Whitestown, Ind., warehouses or through regional distributors.

“We’ve been fortunate to have some outstanding employees and territory managers join our team for both of our Texas locations,” said Travis Klosterboer Harrell’s South Central Golf Sales Manager. Upon joining the team in March, Travis Klosterboer, Harrell’s South Central golf sales manager, focused on recruiting and developing the Texas team.
Joining Travis are territory managers Stephen Dolen and Clint Neely in Houston and Bradley Snodgrass and James Jensen in Dallas.

Jim Dillard, territory manager – Columbus, Ohio
Jim has joined the Harrell’s Midwest team in the central Ohio area as a territory manager. He attended Wright State University and brings to us 16 years of industry experience, most recently from The Hill Company. Jim is a member of the Miami Valley GCSA( Board Member), Central Ohio GCSA and Ohio Turfgrass Foundation ( Board Member).

Keith Krause, Service Technician – Chicago, Ill.
Keith has joined the Harrell’s Midwest division in the Chicago area as a service technician. He earned his bachelor’s degree in management and organizational behavior from Benedictine University and his turfgrass management degree from Michigan State University as well as earned his landscape/nursery management certificate from Northwestern Michigan College/Michigan State University. Keith brings 8 years of industry experience to Harrell’s. He was nominated for the Ray Gerber Award twice as well as having published materials in the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents’ On Course. He is a member of Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendent, and Illinois Turfgrass Foundation.

Jason Funderburg, Service Technician – Chicago, Ill.
Jason has joined the Harrell’s Midwest Golf team in the Chicago area as a service technician. He earned his golf & turfgrass management certification from Kishwuakee College and brings to Harrell’s 15 years of turf management experience with 5 years of fertilizer industry experience. Jason has earned awards by increasing customer satisfaction and company goals. He is currently a member of Northwest Illinois Association of Golf Superintendents, Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents and Central Illinois Association of Golf Course Superintendents.

Travis Klosterboer, sales manager – Houston, Texas
Travis has joined the Harrell’s South Central team in the Houston area. Travis brings 20 years of industry experience; most recently from BASF. He earned his degree from Texas A&M University majoring in agronomy. Travis has been a member of South Texas Golf Course Superintendent Association for 20 years, member of Lone Star Golf Course Superintendent Association for 15 years.

Stephen Dolen, territory manager – Houston, Texas
Stephen has joined the Harrell’s South Central team in the Houston area. Stephen has been in the turfgrass industry for over 17 years, most recently working at AAT/Direct Solutions for nine years. He earned his degree from Sam Houston State University majoring in animal science with a minor in turfgrass management.

Clint Neely, territory manager – Houston, Texas
Clint has joined the Harrell’s South Central team in the Houston area. Clint brings 20 years of industry experience, most recently from AAT/Direct Solutions for three years. He earned his degree in agronomy & sports turf management from Mississippi State University.

Bradley Snodgrass, territory manager – Dallas, Texas
Bradley has joined the Harrell’s South Central Texas team in the Dallas/Fort Worth and the Southern Oklahoma region. He brings several years of industry experience, his most recent being from The Andersons as a territory manager. Bradley earned his agronomy - turfgrass management degree from Texas A&M University. Bradley is currently a member of GCSAA, Texas Turfgrass Association (North, South Central, and West Superintendents Chapters), Oklahoma Turfgrass Association, Arkansas Superintendents Association, Tennessee Turfgrass Association (Eastern and Western Superintendents Chapters).

James Jensen, territory manager – Dallas, Texas
James has joined the Harrell’s South Central Texas team in the Dallas/Fort Worth and the Southern Oklahoma region. He brings 25 years of industry experience, his most recent being from AAT/Direct Solutions as a territory manager. James earned his agronomy degree from Stephen F. Austin University. James is a member of the North Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Lonestar Golf Course Superintendents Assoc.