Digging Down to the Root with Greg Lovell

What is your role at Aquatrols?

I am the Eastern Midwest Territory Manager, and the Strategic Account Manager nationally for SiteOne.  I also serve as President of our foundation, The FairWays Foundation.

How long have you been with the company?

9.5 years.

Where did you grow up, and what brought you to your current city?

I grew up in Fort Wayne.  I’m on a slow migration west.  It’s taken me 52 years to make it 11 miles.  I still live in Fort Wayne.  I like it there.

What does your typical day look like?

My job changes with the seasons.  December through March, I travel to present at winter education events and attend tradeshows.  April through August, I spend significant time with end-users, either by myself or with a distributor rep.  September through November my focus shifts to early order distributor meetings and distributor ride-alongs that also focus on early order.  I serve on several internal committees at Aquatrols which have virtual meetings scattered throughout the year.  Most weeks I’ll participate with a committee as well.  I like the variety of my roles.

What drew you to this field, and how did you get started?

I was an engineering student my freshman year at Purdue.  My sophomore year I was a double major in math and P.E. in the School of Education.  I wasn’t into either. I let my academic advisor, Mick Savage, know I was going to leave the School of Education. I was a walk-on on Purdue’s golf team my sophomore year.  Mick knew this.  He asked if I had ever heard of turf science.  I had not.  He set up an appointment with Dr. Clark Throssell.  I took a summer job at Fort Wayne Country Club. I changed majors to turf science the following August.  I was offered a job at Fort Wayne Country Club and a house on the property after I graduated.  It’s a special place.  I loved my time there.

 I think a lot of people have an idea that you don’t get personal attention at large universities.  My experiences at Purdue were completely opposite.  Mick was my education academic advisor and took the time to get to know me and introduce me to Dr. Throssell.  In our first ever meeting, Dr. Throssell encouraged me to take a summer job at a club and get back ahold of him that August.  He gave me contacts at all the clubs within driving distance of my parents’ house.  Dr. Throssell and Dr. Zac Reicher were the teaching and extension directors for Purdue’s turf program when I was there in the mid-90s. I have run into both many times over the past 30 years.  We know each other.  I consider them friends. 

After my sophomore year in college, I was an immature 20-year-old that didn’t have a clue.  The personal attention I received at Purdue changed the course of the rest of my life.  This has never been lost on me.  I appreciate the opportunities that have come from my time there.

What’s your favorite part of the job or most rewarding project you’ve worked on?

I love talking about how a golf course plays. We can really influence the playability of a property using wetting agents.  95% of golfers don’t notice if a $3500 dollar spot app made it 19 days or 21. Every golfer notices if it hasn’t rained in 3 weeks but their drives are leaving ball marks in the fairways and they have mud on their golf ball.  Used correctly, our products can lead directly to golfer satisfaction.  They are a lot of fun to talk about.

How do you see the industry evolving in the next few years?

A.I. tools and recommendations.

Is there a product or innovation from Aquatrols you’re particularly excited about right now?

XStatic.  I have talked about it a lot since October.  It’s a playability product for synthetic athletic fields.  It fits perfectly into the strengths of our company.

Do you have a favorite industry tip or tool?

My maternal grandmother used to say, “If something needs to get done, ask somebody that is already really busy.”  I thought she got mixed up.  Wouldn’t it be the opposite?  I realize now what she meant.  Lean on busy people.  They won’t let you down.

If you weren’t in this field, what would you be doing instead?

Golf Course Superintendent

What’s one surprising thing people might not know about you?

I married my 1992 prom date.

What is your favorite hobby, activity, or creative outlet?

I like outdoor activities.  I enjoy hunting, fishing, golfing, and hiking.  I use cooking as a creative outlet in my personal life when I’m home.  I find building presentations a nice creative outlet at work.

First concert?

I saw Kenney Rogers with my parents when I was in elementary school.

Coffee or tea?

Black coffee, and plenty of it.

Favorite food?

I like variety.  No single favorite.  I made a sauce piquante on Monday.  I used some channel cats I caught as the protein. It’s a Cajun dish that translates from French to “spicy sauce”.  It was great.

Bucket list location to visit?

My daughter was asked this question in school when she was in 1^st grade.  She responded, “The Nazca Lines from the air”.  Her teacher had to look it up. She emailed my wife and me that evening.  Rock solid answer.  Proud Dad moment.

I visit a lot of cool locations now.  I really don’t have a bucket list location to visit, but there are things I’d like to do when I have more time; a two-month-long west coast road trip including several weeks in Alaska, a multi-week canoe camping/fishing trip down a northern river, ride my bike across the United States; these things take time that I don’t have, however, I do like to dream about them.