ATA Member Spotlight >>>
Member Spotlight
on Incoming ATA President, Deven Peek:
“My Heart is in Teaching and Mentoring” By Melanie Bonds, Executive Director, Alabama Turfgrass Association
Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fall 201 9
It
is ironic that Deven Peek, who dreamed of being an Air Force Pilot as a young man, has ended up with a career so fully grounded! Deven’s family had a small lawn service that was run as a part time operation when he was in high school. Deven had planned to work in the business part time as he pursued an education to achieve his dream of becoming a pilot, but midway through his freshman year at Auburn University Montgomery, his family was approached to buy out a larger local lawn care company. Deven was given the option to work in that business full time with the opportunity to take over the business when he turned 21. During this period, Deven’s long-time friend Matt Simpson, an Auburn University Club golf course superintendent, told Deven about the Horticulture program at Trenholm State Technical College, a community college in Montgomery. Deven then transferred to Trenholm and started his education in Horticulture and Turf and earned an Associate’s degree in Horticulture. Following some unforeseen changes within the family business, Deven took employment with Alabama State University on the grounds crew in 2007. At Alabama State University, his focus was overall operations and sports turf. In 2009 an opportunity became available in Deven’s hometown with the City of Prattville as the foreman of the Horticulture Department. Working in Prattville the focus of his work shifted to Turf and Irrigation.
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Incoming ATA President, Deven Peek
