INDUSTRY PARTNER - DON BOTKIN
DON
Botkin
S
1
2 Don Botkin,
has been with PBI-Gordon Corp. for two years covering Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky in his travels. A native of Pennsylvania, he went to college at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He is the father of two sons, Jack, who is 23, and Noah, who is 21.
3 4
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? My first job was working with a lawn care company J.C. Ehrlich for eight years, then I moved to Ohio and worked for Lebanon Turf and then Bayer where the last six years I worked on the turf side of the business. After that, I worked with Valent and then came to PBIGordon. WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN PERSONAL LIFE? It was my dad (Don, Sr.) who is deceased. He provided me number one with my education, but also taught me to work hard and that hard work pays off. I’ve always wanted to complete the job to the best of my ability. That’s what he taught me. WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? Jim Geyer, my former manager at J.C. Ehrlich. He helped me better understand how to manage people, and to look at the bigger picture when working in a company with other people. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? Labor is a big issue. I see less and less students at turf schools and less and less entering the market. At some point there could not be enough assistants and superintendents if it keeps going like this.
Course Conditions
| Issue #52 - Q3 2021
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