Two new TPI Board of Trustees members were elected at the last TPI annual meeting and they officially took office on July 1. We are pleased to provide some background information on each of these gentlemen.

INTRODUCING YOUR NEW TPI BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEMBERS KEITH WITTIG

Keith is the owner of Central Turf Farms, Inc. located in Wharton, TX. He has been involved in the turfgrass industry for nearly his entire life and can recall driving tractors and mowing from an early age. Prior to leaving for college, his responsibilities expanded to include many more aspects of farming operations. Keith attended Texas A&M University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Systems Management before being approached by Bethel Farms in Arcadia, FL. Keith says, “Te opportunity to return to the turfgrass industry was one I just could not pass up. My experience there opened up a whole new level of turfgrass farming to me.” In 2013, he returned to the family farm and became a

grower partner of Bethel Farms in the Harmony Outdoor Brands program. His operation focuses on turfgrasses adapted for Texas including Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and Zoysiagrass in rolls and slabs. He also has managed to be active in the Turfgrass Producers of Texas (TPT) and served on the board of directors from 2011 to 2016. In his personal time, he enjoys working with local organizations that serve his community, particularly those that allow him to interact with youth. Keith also enjoys fishing and hunting but says, “With the responsibilities of farming, I don’t often get to go. But I squeeze in a trip here or there when I can.” He is married to Kimberly Wittig. Tey have two daughters, Aubrey age 12 and Alleigh age 5.

JIM KEEVEN

Jim Keeven is the co-owner of SelecTurf, Inc. which he founded in 2011 in Jefferson City, MO with his wife and business partner Kathy. However, his roots in farming and turfgrass grow much deeper than that. Jim’s parents, Ed and Vivienne Keeven, began installing sod in Florissant MO in 1951 when they were doing business as Ed Keeven Sod Co. Inc. In 1963, they founded a 120-acre turf farm in O’Fallon, MO and only 10 years later had grown the operation to 400 acres. In 1984 Jim and his two brothers, Eddie and Tom, purchased Ed Keeven Sod Co., Inc. and started doing business as Emerald View Turf Farms. One year later, Jim and Kathy moved to Jefferson City to

expand the family business. Today, SelecTurf serves Jefferson City and Columbia, MO with over 550 acres of bluegrass, fescue, bermudagrass, buffalograss, and zoysiagrass. Jim has proudly been a member of TPI for 33 years. He also has found time to stay active in his church, raising funds for Suicide Prevention, and to serve as co-chair of the Lewis and Clark chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Jim has remained involved in various turfgrass industry associations including: the Missouri Turf and Ornamental Council, STMA, and GCSAA. He has served on the Missouri Pesticide Safe Education Program committee. He enjoys hunting, fishing, traveling, and most importantly spending time with his family. He and Kathy have three children, Clint, Kelsey, and Joe, and have recently welcomed the addition of their first grandchild Allison. Tey also anticipate the arrival of their first grandson this September.

8 TPI Turf News July/August 2017