Jim was active in the PR Working Group shown in this 2017 meeting photo.

“It was wonderful for a person that wants to be challenged and do something different every day,” says Jim. He served a broad range of clients: Allegiance Health Care, M&M/Mars, TruServ Corporation, Dean Foods, AT&T, Keebler, Quaker Oats, Lucas Productions, Motorola, United Airlines, International Harvester, Baxter International, and many more.

An area he especially enjoyed was collaborating with production companies on business theater—corporate presentations and meetings. “I’d do the creative to sell the show and then work with the production company, the producers and account executives to design it and stage it,” Jim reports. “I was traveling across the continental U.S. and to Hawaii and put together shows that had million dollar budgets.”

Coming to TPI Te world forever changed after 9/11. Jim says, “Advertising agencies, marketing companies, graphic art studios and production companies were impacted dramatically as Fortune 500 companies and other businesses across the country cut back on travel and large-scale business meetings. Freelance opportunities diminished and I needed a job that offered some stability but also provided creative challenges.”

A business associate told Jim that TPI was looking for a communications manager but the position had not yet been posted. Jim contacted then Executive Director, Doug Fender, and was invited to TPI headquarters for an interview.

“Te interview included Doug and the entire staff,” says Jim. “Doug then had me meet one-on-one with each staff employee for a series of Q&A. After the interviews, I thanked everyone for their time. As I was leaving, I sensed Doug was somewhat apprehensive. So I proposed he give me a writing assignment and judge me on what I presented. He said he’d think about it.”

Doug’s phone call accepting Jim’s proposal came later that day. Te assignment was to write an article about grass

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going dormant to explain to homeowners that dormancy was a natural process for turfgrass.

“Doug arranged my phone interview with a TPI member,” says Jim. “He listened in on the entire interview (never interrupting). Te next day I presented him with an article. I was hired immediately.” Te article, “It’s Okay to Let Your Grass Go Dormant,” was published a few weeks later.

Jim’s first day with TPI set the tone for the amazing 12 years to follow. Jim found his office file cabinets “somewhat bare” as his predecessor had saved little information. He asked Doug for direction and Doug’s reply was, “Take ownership and do whatever you think needs to be done.” Teir relationship was one of trust, collaboration and mentorship.

TPI offered a cornucopia of creative opportunities: copywriting, script writing, speech writing, involvement in the creation of brochures, flyers, PowerPoint presentations, internal and external communication, and behind the scenes collaboration with the entire staff on any number of challenges deemed necessary.

He loved the ever-changing opportunities, and says “It’s the members that made this job so wonderful.” Jim’s personal relationships with TPI members, turfgrass Extension Specialists and members of the board presented both professional and personal gratification. “If you can provide a service that benefits the intended recipient, resolves their questions or concerns, or helps them overcome any perceived obstacle, it is extremely rewarding on a personal level.”

His most treasured project was the opportunity to create the TPI E-Newsletter. He says, “TPI trusted and allowed me total creative license in writing a uniquely different newsletter from other associations, one that featured a mixture of newsworthy items, personal stories about members and a little humor.”

Ah, humor. Jim’s sense of humor is extraordinary. He sees the irony in complex situations and captures its essence

TPI Turf News July/August 2017