in the U.S. Since then, my territory has grown, though I have not to date extended our outreach south of the transition zone. It is a privilege to walk fields with Jonathan Green’s customers and visit their farms.”
He adds, “Part of my role that I truly enjoy is building and growing relationships that will help sod producers hopefully build and grow their businesses. I love being a student and learning from every producer that I visit. Working with sod farmers gives me the opportunity to share experiences and data with the best producers in the industry.”
David grew up in a farming community near Hendersonville, North Carolina. His family was growing apples. Fred and Merle Pittillo, the parents of his future wife, Linda Pittillo, were dairy farmers in the same community. David says, “Te Pittillo family started growing sod as a way to diversify their business. Linda’s brother Wayne suggested the idea to Fred. Tey started small, purchasing and planting a few hundred pounds of seed and buying a walk-behind Ryan sod cutter to harvest it by hand like many sod farms.” Turf Mountain Sod was established in 1987. As the company grew, they expanded into installation, and David joined the business. Soon they were tackling larger installations on golf courses and commercial projects. David says, “Linda joined the company, focusing on business operations and administration, and inherited Fred’s gift for building relationships.”
Turf Mountain connected with TPI soon after the company was established and built strong relationships through TPI with suppliers and other sod producers. David says, “So many people at TPI have poured into us personally, and helped Turf Mountain grow in the sod business; we want every sod producer in the world to experience those kinds of relationships through TPI.” Giving back to TPI led Linda to serve on the TPI Board of Trustees, and in 2016, to become TPI’s first female President.
David says, “Turf Mountain Sod has worked with Jonathan Green for over 30 years. Tey planted onyx one year after running out of seed. A photo taken from the air showed the dark green difference in color. Tat was in 1994. Tey’ve never looked back and have worked with Jonathan Green growing Black Beauty. I’ve now been in sales for ten years and appreciate the opportunity to build stronger relationships with TPI members and encourage sod producers who may not be members of TPI of the many reasons to join.”
All of which leads to why Linda urged David to apply for the Future Leaders Fellowship Program. After helping build a business and working with others to build and improve their businesses, he’s well equipped to serve as
TPI Turf News September/October 2025
a listener, an encourager, and a mentor. David says, “I’ve been blessed to connect with an excellent group of young people through this program. Some of them have studied national and international business and adapted those practices in their own businesses. I’ve seen the members of this group tackle hard issues, begin streamlining operations, and make decisions that make their farm more efficient and help propel it to the next level.”
David didn’t sign up for the 2024 TPI Study Trip to Italy, and he was thankful he didn’t when Hurricane Helene’s impact hit the Blue Ridge Mountains. Western North Carolina faced washed-out roads, landslides, loss of power and cell phone service, and disruptions to water and fuel supplies. David says, “I am grateful I was here to join my family, our church, and our neighbors in helping however we could. Turf Mountain became a staging area for supplies and donations and served over 1,700 meals to community members. We were blessed by the donations of so many TPI members.”
David’s peer-to-peer connection was Slater Helt, of Helt’s Turf Farm in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. David says, “I had visited the farm and got to know Slater’s Dad, Shawn, and most of the family, before I started in the Future Leaders Fellowship program. So it was great to connect with Slater and learn more about his role in the business. We’re working on plans for Slater to visit Turf Mountain Sod.”
David feels that matching each group member with a mentor from the first cohort is a good idea. He says, “I was matched with Greg Mischel of DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc., in Davison, Michigan. Greg is a really sharp producer and a strong promoter of TPI. We have a lot in common. His wife, Diane, was TPI’s second female President, serving in 2024.”
Each group member has a Board member mentor, too. David was matched with current TPI President, Daniel Huggett. David says, “Daniel has been a good mentor, he’s a good leader, and good for TPI. I’ve learned from both Greg and Daniel and from visiting both of their farms. Diversification is key in every business, and both have learned to do that well.”
David is already recommending the program to others. “It’s an excellent way to establish relationships and sharpen leadership skills.”
Join the Third Cohort
Applications for the 2026-2028 Future Leaders Fellowship Program will open this fall. If you’d like to apply, please email Dr. Casey Reynolds at CReynolds@
TurfgrassSod.org.
s@ Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News. 15
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