Fender Announces His Retirement

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – After more than two decades of dedicated service, Doug Fender, executive director of Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), has announced his retirement. Kirk Hunter, TPI's meetings manager has been named Fender's successor.

During his tenure with TPI, the organization has grown to more than 1,100 members in 40 countries.  Fender was also instrumental in forming the International Turf Producers Foundation in 1994. Under his direction ITPF has raised more than $500,000 dollars to fund turfgrass-related research.

In conjunction with his duties at TPI, Fender also serves on the executive committee and board of directors of Project EverGreen, a coalition representing all segments of the green industry and dedicated to promoting the positive values of landscapes. For nearly 20 years he was a director of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. He also created a coalition of the Irrigation Association, the American Nursery & Landscape Association and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America to create a Web site that addresses landscape water conservation techniques. In 2001, he edited the book, “WATER RIGHT - Conserving Our Water, Preserving Our Environment.”  In 2002, the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association recognized Fender’s contributions by naming him the Environmental Communicator of the Year.

"This organization has had a number of accomplishments that I'm proud to have been a part of," Fender says. "The growth of the organization and TPI's interaction with groups like Project EverGreen has been tremendous. It's been something we as an industry have wished for for so long and it's evident how much we can do if we get things together."

Upon hearing the news of Fender’s retirement, TPI President Art Campbell shared the thoughts of many of Fender’s colleagues. “Our admiration, respect and appreciation for all that Doug has done for TPI, ITPF and the turfgrass industry as a whole is difficult to put into words,” Campbell said. “His leadership, dedication, commitment to excellence and the manner in which he has represented producers, suppliers and consumers alike, will have a lasting impact on everyone associated with our industry. 

“As TPI moves forward to take on tomorrow’s challenges and explore new opportunities, we are comfortable in knowing that Doug will continue to be accessible and visible until his successor is in place,” Campbell adds.  “The name recognition associated with TPI is a direct result of Doug’s guidance, management skills and professional stature within the industry.”

Fender adds that he would like to stay in touch with green industry through writing and speaking engagements and looks forward to watching the industry's future unfold. "We've been working on everything from the methly bromide issue in the industry to working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Agrictulral Research SErvice to forward the Turfgrass Research Initiative," he says. "That's gaining momentum and I'd love to see it reach its $35 million per year research funding goal."

He adds, "I'm very thankful I've been able to work in an industry that has such an open and candid society. These are brilliant and dedicated people who enjoy what they do and try not to take themselves too seriously. Every day they make me want to get up in the morning and get to work."

A native of northeastern Colorado, Fender received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Fender, who currently resides in Inverness, Ill., with his wife Sharon, will begin his retirement on Jan. 1, 2005. In addition to focusing on his wife's growing construction business, Fender says he looks forward to doing more with the small travel business they've started and spending more time with his children and grandchildren.