New England-based distributor was founded by Charles Dooley in 1990.

The transaction between Advanced Turf Solutions, George Furrer and Charles Dooley to form a new company and acquire essentially all of the assets of Valley Green is now complete. Furrer has been named president of the new company and the New England-based distributor will operate under the name Valley Green.

“Consistency has been a priority of ours throughout this process,” Furrer said. “Our customers will have the same reliable experience they’ve always had with Valley Green and we’ll continue to support them with what they need to be successful. With the current supply chain challenges, we are specifically focused on making sure customers have the right products at the right time. Our goal is simple: give people what they want and be easy to do business with. We just don’t think there’s any other way to operate.”

Furrer’s background includes more than 30 years in the green industry, including previous roles as CEO of United Turf Alliance and vice president of Specialty Business at Sipcam Agro USA. He holds an associate of arts and sciences in turfgrass management from Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Franklin University.

The Valley Green sales and support team will continue serving New England, and with the support of Advanced Turf Solutions the company will be able to offer more resources to employees and customers. Valley Green plans to grow its presence in existing and new segments while maintaining its high level of customer service.

Dooley, who founded Valley Green in 1990, expressed confidence about the future of the company under Furrer’s leadership: “Our employees’ commitment to customer service has made this company what it is today. I know that George shares that value and will ensure that it continues to be the priority in everything Valley Green does.”

Valley Green is headquartered in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and operates seven locations supported by inside and outside sales associates specializing in turf seed, fertilizer, control products, ice melters and equipment. It serves the LCO, golf, sports turf, sod and nursery production, and arboriculture segments across New England.

Pass will oversee positioning of products for multiple brands, including Quali-Pro.

Sam Pass has joined Control Solutions Inc. in the role of marketing director for CSI Pest, Quali-Pro and Martin’s Brand divisions. Pass reports directly to CSI CEO Mark Boyd, with day-to-day alignment to executive vice president Curtis Clark.

“Sam brings us valuable knowledge to propel CSI’s vast product line into the future,” Clark said. “We are very excited to have Sam join the CSI team.”

Pass grew up working in the pest management industry and spent more than five years as a technician at his father's first pest control company, Action Pest Control, of Evansville, Indiana. From those roots, Pass became interested in entomology which led to a bachelor’s degree in entomology and nematology from the University of Florida. He is a board-certified entomologist specializing in medical and veterinary entomology. After graduation, he furthered his experience working in sales and marketing for FMC. He gained experience managing an established pest control sales territory, later transitioning into marketing and managing a large portfolio of specialty insecticides for the professional pest management and horticulture markets.

Pass is currently pursuing a master’s of business administration from Carnegie Mellon University.

35-year industry veteran promoted after six-plus years as COO.

Turf Care Supply, a leading formulator and blender of coated nitrogen and other fertilizer products to the turf and ornamental market, recently promoted Mark Mangan to president.

Mangan has more than 35 years of industry experience and has played an important role in growing the value of the Turf Care Supply business. Mangan was previously the company’s COO since 2015, and held multiple leadership positions before that. He has helped expand commercial relationships, enter new markets and develop strategic partnerships.

CEO William Milowitz will continue to operate in his current role.

“Mark has been an invaluable member of the Turf Care team and has played an essential role in the growth and success achieved over the last few years,” Milowitz said. “I am excited for Mark’s continued development in this new leadership role.”

Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the larger formulators and blenders of urea products to the turf and ornamental market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products, soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Their products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets.

25th version of the biennial will be held March 9-10 in suburban Milwaukee.

Wisconsin-based Reinders will be hosting their 25th biennial Turf Conference March 9-10, 2022 at the Waukesha Expo Center in suburban Milwaukee.

While celebrating the rich history of their partnerships with customers and vendors, a lineup of nationally recognized speakers as well as more than 20 educational seminars set the stage for the Midwest's largest independently run turf conference.

Educational tracks are available for golf course superintendents, lawn care professionals, sports field and grounds managers, and equipment technicians.

Attendees will enjoy a special performance from Emmy-winning journalist, comedian, and creator of the Manitowoc Minute, Charlie Berens. Additionally, there will be Reinders’ famous homemade donuts, games, networking opportunities, and refreshments.

Visit Reinders.com/turfcon22 for online registration, seminar updates, and conference information.

The AIS-compliant Flo-Flex Model 345 is a foot valve flapper style swing check valve offering the same benefits as the original Flo-Flex Model.

Flomatic Valves has introduced the Flo-Flex Model 345, the latest model of their American Iron and Steel-compliant, foot valve flapper-style swing check valve. Ensuring years of quality and reliability, the new model is designed to meet the needs of demanding industrial and municipal pumping applications and centrifugal pump applications including ponds and lakes, dewatering applications, frac pits and more.

“The Flo-Flex Model 345 is a just another example of our high-quality American-made valves and cutting-edge technology,” Flomatic Valves president Nick Farrara said.

Available in sizes 3-inch through 12-inch, the 345 is designed according to ANSI/AWWA C508 standards and is constructed in a corrosion-resistant, fusion-bonded, epoxy-coated ductile iron body featuring a 316 stainless steel strainer and class ANSI 150 flange connections. Its screen open flow area is more than three times the open area of the nominal area pipe size while the one-piece molded disc allows 100 percent full flow in the open position.

The 345 features a number of reliable functions including a 45-degree valve-seat angle for short disc travel, non-slam high performance resulting in the reduction of water hammer, optional drilled/tapped/plugged raised boss for easy installation of gauges or accessories, and a low head loss design. It is specifically designed to seal securely and tightly to minimize pump suction losses.