Jared Hoyle, Ph.D., recently joined PBI-Gordon as the company’s marketing manager for the professional turf and ornamental market.
Hoyle is responsible for the development and execution of strategic marketing plans to grow PBI-Gordon’s professional product portfolio — which encompasses the professional lawn care and golf course management industries.
Before joining PBI-Gordon, Hoyle held marketing and sales positions with Corteva Agriscience. Before that, he was a tenured associate professor and extension turfgrass specialist for Kansas State University. While at the university, Hoyle also served as the director and manager of the KSU Turfgrass Research Center.
“We are excited to welcome Jared Hoyle to the PBI-Gordon family,” said Jason Manz, vice president, strategic marketing and new business development. “Our industry partners and this company will benefit greatly from his deep understanding of market dynamics and expertise in the professional turfgrass industry as he leads the development of strategic market initiatives and go-to-market plans.”
Hoyle holds a Ph.D. in agronomy and soils with a concentration in turfgrass science from Auburn University. Additionally, he has a master’s degree in crop science from North Carolina State University.
Exmark’s Daryn Walters to retire in April
After 19 years of service with Exmark, Daryn Walters, vice president, has announced his retirement, effective April 18.
Greg Janey, vice president of contractor and residential for The Toro Co., said Walters’ passion for the Exmark brand and its customers has been key to the company’s profitable growth and market share leadership.
“I am grateful for Daryn’s partnership, leadership, and his numerous contributions to the success of our landscapes and contractor business,” Janey said. “Daryn’s focus on fostering trusted relationships has been integral to creating alignment with other TTC businesses and expanding distribution channels for Exmark and Spartan.
“Please join me in thanking Daryn for the positive impact he made during his time with TTC and wishing him well in his retirement.”
Walters’ career began following completion of his undergraduate studies at Florida State University in 1989. After co-founding then exiting a business in the technology sector, he held a variety of other leadership roles in the marketing and technology space.
In late 2006, Walters joined the Exmark team while pursuing an MBA at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Walters saw the potential of the Exmark brand immediately when he joined the company. Under his guidance, Walters’ team expanded the brand to resonate with landscape contractors and drive increased customer loyalty with creative, lifestyle-focused marketing programs, according to Exmark.
In 2018, in recognition of his outstanding contributions as a key member of the Exmark leadership team, Walters was promoted to general manager. In 2021, Walters leveraged his industry relationships with the Intimidator Group, which led to the acquisition of Spartan and its related brands. He was promoted to vice president, Exmark and Spartan later that year.
In 2024, Walters cultivated strong, trusted relationships by leading a significant expansion of the Exmark distribution network through a new partnership with Texas Outdoor Power Equipment. He said he considers this collaboration one of the proudest achievements of his career.
Walters was a steadfast supporter of Exmark’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the Beatrice community in various ways. These included equipment donations, green space enhancement grants, Exmark Big Rock project grants, fundraising through the United Way and more.
Walters credits his wife, Katie, as the backbone of the family and his strongest supporter throughout his career. Following retirement, Walters and his wife plan to relocate to Florida to be closer to family.
Exmark director of marketing and customer care Jamie Briggs will serve as the interim general manager for Exmark and Spartan while Toro identifies the next leader for the companies.
Dan Carrothers joins SiteOne as new vice president for agronomic business development
SiteOne Landscape Supply appointed Dan Carrothers as the new vice president for agronomic business development. Carrothers will further develop and lead the strategy to accelerate growth for large regional agronomic and erosion control customers, including golf and maintenance-oriented national accounts. He will also be responsible for adding strong agronomic product distributors to the SiteOne family through acquisition as a part of this strategy.
Carrothers said he is excited about SiteOne’s expertise, product selection and its potential to help different types of customers as they grow and develop their businesses.
“SiteOne has virtually everything,” said Carrothers. “No other distributor out there can bring that vast array of potential solutions to landscaping professionals like SiteOne.”
Carrothers brings 35 years of industry experience, driving growth across a wide range of products and customers. Prior to joining SiteOne, he was the director of global special solutions for FMC. He plans to enhance SiteOne’s relationships with customers who use agronomic and erosion control products throughout their lifecycle.
“A small customer can walk into a SiteOne branch and get everything they need. As they grow, their needs will change, and we will be focused on customizing our products and services for them to continue to exceed their expectations. The whole idea is to grow stronger together. I am excited to be part of a company that has that vision of growth with its customers.”
Carrothers served on the boards of directors of Responsible Industry for a Sustainable Environment (RISE), National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and Project EverGreen. Additionally, Carrothers also helped start one of the largest Weedman franchises in North America and served as the COO of a data analytics company.
Carrothers has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Guelph, Ontario and an Executive MBA from Queens University, Ontario.
PERC hires Joel Stutheit as senior manager of business development
The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) hired Joel Stutheit as senior manager of business development for its on-road market portfolio.
In his new role, Stutheit will be responsible for growing propane autogas market share for on-highway light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. He will be focused on the implementation of strategic market plans that support research and development of innovative technologies, product launches, maintenance and growth in existing market segments, as well as new market expansion opportunities.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Joel to the team and we’re looking forward to him making a big impact for our mission,” said Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of PERC. “Not only does Joel bring invaluable expertise to our organization, but he also has first-hand experience adopting propane autogas and knows what fleet managers are looking for when evaluating alternative fuels.”
Prior to joining PERC, Stutheit spent more than 20 years in the education sector, serving in assistant principal roles at several schools and then as director of Bethel School District in Spanaway, Wash. As director, Stutheit led a variety of projects and operations, including overseeing an annual budget of $18 million. He established the district’s propane autogas school bus program, procuring $2.5 million of buses yearly with the assistance of grants he helped secure. The program earned statewide recognition for its cost savings and progress toward clean energy goals.
Stutheit holds a bachelors degree in education from Eastern Washington University and a masters degree in educational leadership from Heritage University.
The Clendenin Consulting Group adds Joe Welch to the team
Recently, the Clendenin Consulting Group, a mergers and acquisitions advisor and industry consultant, and Anthony Advisors teamed up to form the Clendenin Anthony Partnership. The Clendenin Anthony Partnership revealed the addition of Joe Welch to the group.
Welch began his career in the lawn care industry in 1981 as a lawn and ornamental technician with Middleton Lawn and Pest Control in Orlando, Fla., and has been a certified operator since 1984. He was promoted to corporate service director for Middleton in 1985. In this role, Welch was responsible for developing agronomic programs for turf, shrub and tree care, providing agronomic training for management and technicians, managing inventory and overseeing purchasing for Middleton’s 36-plus offices. Additionally, he served as the technical writer for all aspects of the business. During this time, Middleton grew to the 14th largest pest control and lawn service firm in the county, according to the group.
In early 2010, Massey Services acquired Middleton Lawn and Pest Control, where Joe continued his career as the technical and training director for Massey’s Lawn and Ornamental division. Welch retired from Massey in August 2021. Welch served as the chairman of the Pesticide Committee representing the FPMA in the initial creation of the Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices. Joe has been an ISA-certified arborist since 2000.
“I’ve had the privilege to work with Greg in the past when he was the CEO of Middleton. I am excited to be back working with Greg and Graham in providing consulting in all aspects of the lawn and ornamental industry. We can assist in helping operators to achieve a steady growing and very profitable lawn care service”, Welch said.
“Having been able to bring Joe on board, the Clendenin Anthony Partnership is a big deal for us. Joe is absolutely one of the most talented and capable lawn and ornamental experts in the country. His role will be consulting with lawn care operators toward achieving exponential growth and healthy, sustainable profit”, the company stated. “Joe is also the most qualified to assist operators in creating the most efficient and effective lawn, shrub and tree care programs”.
