HAPPENINGS
Ed Lee, Summit Seed Founder, Passes Former TPI Member and founder of Summit Seed passed away peacefully at his Spokane, WA, home on June 9, 2025. Ed was 69, born on November 24, 1955, in Madison, Indiana. He was the son of the late John W. Lee Jr. of Fairview, IN, and Marcile (Millie) Watson Lee of Madison, IN. As a 1974 graduate from South Ripley High School, Ed was also a Raider basketball
player. Growing up as an avid farmer in Rexville, IN, Ed received the Indiana Future Farmers of American (FFA) State Honorary Farmer Award. Ed went on to earn an agriculture economics degree from Purdue University. Ed started Summit Seed Inc. in Manteno, IL, with subsequent additional subsidiaries of HydroStraw and 3-D Sod. Ed built a small business from the ground up into a successful multi-disciplinary seed and erosion control company. Summit Seed became a part of Profile Products and has now been acquired by Turf Merchants, Inc. of Tangent, OR. Ed had a spirit of exploration and endurance. He was a passionate long-distance cyclist and an avid scuba diver who traveled extensively, always eager to learn, discover, and explore the richness of the world. Ed’s family and friends would describe him as a “Visionary Entrepreneur” in the agriculture field. His professional specialization was turfgrass seed for sod producers, sports applications, erosion control, and residential lawns, using enhanced seed technologies. Beyond professional pursuits, Ed was an avid traveler and skilled cyclist having visited over 25 countries, explored sunken ships as a scuba diver, and cycled across the United States including up Pike’s Peak twice, and through parts of Europe. Ed will be sadly missed by his best friend and wife Sigrid Shearn Lee and daughters Katie Lee Shillings of Glendale, AZ, and Jessica Lee of San Antonio, TX, and siblings including Joe Lee of Butlerville, IN, Joy Lee of Houston, TX, Joyce Lee Buchanan of Versailles, IN, John W. Lee III and wife Margaret Lee of Williamsburg, VA, Michael Lee and wife Evonda Lee of Colorado Springs, CO, Paul Lee of Bloomington, IN, Trish Lee of Bloomington, IN, Rick Lee and wife Lynette of Madison, IN, Denise Stevens and husband Mark Stevens of Centerville, IN, John Arron Lee and wife Rebecca Lee of Louisville, KY. Ed is preceded in death by his father, John W. Lee Jr., and mother, Marcile (Millie) Watson Lee. He is also preceded in death by siblings Mary Lee Hunt, James Lee, and William Edwin. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, a cause dear to his heart. (
https://donorservices.alz.org). Online condolences and remembrances can be e-mailed to Sigrid Lee at
sigridlee10@gmail.com.
Syngenta Appoints New Illinois Territory Manager In a July 8, 2025, press release, TPI Member Syngenta announced that Craig Watson has been named a territory manager in Illinois, where he will support customers in the turf and aquatics markets. Watson will offer customers expert advice and guidance on product applications, agronomic recommendations, and more.
Watson graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in golf course management. He has a wealth of experience in the lawn and golf industries, starting his career as a spray technician at Howe Landscape. From 2012 to 2015, he served as the assistant golf course superintendent at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois. He then accepted a position with Morris Country Club, where he served as the golf course superintendent for seven years. After a successful career in golf course management, Watson transitioned to be a technical sales representative at SePRO. Troughout his career, Watson has connected with distributors and sales representatives across the Midwest, developing and maintaining a strong network of industry colleagues. “Craig’s wide range of experience and knowledge in the industry makes him an invaluable resource for customers seeking actionable turf management solutions,” says Troy Rippy, Midwest district manager for turf at Syngenta. “His passion for the industry and his experience as an Illinois native perfectly positions him to meet the unique needs of customers in his territory.” Watson will be based in Yorkville, Illinois.
Richard Petty # 43 TLI Fundraiser Sod Installer Meets NASCAR # 26 at Kenan Stadiium
Chad Price, Agronomist, CSFM, Certified Field Builder and President of TPI member Carolina Green Corp. shared a photo he took June 14th
on the new natural grass field at Kenan Stadium
at the University of North Carolina. He stated: “We were working at Kenan yesterday and they rolled out Michael Jordan’s new NASCAR car for some recruits. Couldn’t resist pulling up the Richard Petty installer from the TLI fundraiser in Charlotte several years back.” Editor’s note: Te full story of the Kenan Field rebuild can be found beginning on page 16 of the July/August issue of Turf News.
70 TPI Turf News September/October 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
