4 minute read
Feature
Member Spotlight on 2024 Tom Samples Turfgrass Professional of the Year Recipient Bob Hogan
Each year, TTA recognizes a member who has diligently served the industry, the association and the individuals he encounters throughout the course of his career. Bob Hogan has exemplified that spirit of service both inside and outside of his work in turfgrass. He has served not only on the Board of TTA, but also as a preacher, a County Commissioner and Assistant Mayor. With a well-rounded list of volunteer roles, as well as founding The Hogan Company, he has certainly influenced a great number of people, not least of which are younger generations of turf professionals.
Our conversation with Bob Hogan upon his recognition as the 2024 Tom Samples Professional of the Year Award was a great review of his years as an active member of TTA. Early in the conversation he offered a warning, “I’ll try to stick to talking, not preaching.” And while he certainly shared a lot of invaluable wisdom, he did stick to talking, mostly about the relationships he built and how so many fellow members had a lot to share or teach.
Mr. Hogan is also quick to share his family’s accomplishments. His wife Connie served as a local County School Board Member and has served statewide for the School Board Organization. His daughter is the Principal of Greenbrier Elementary and Bob and Connie have two granddaughters, Faith and Mary Brynlee.
Mr. Hogan’s impact as a servant leader has left a wonderful legacy in both his personal and professional life, and we thank him for his years of hard work!
A Word of Thanks from Mr. Hogan
I would like to thank the TTA for giving me The Tom Samples Professional of the Year Award. When Chris called, I thought he was kidding, but he wasn’t. I was totally surprised, humbled, and yet honored to receive such an award that was named after my dear friend, Dr. Tom Samples. I was even more grateful knowing that he was there to give me this award. Thanks again, my friend.
I have been a member of the TTA a long time. I even remember the early days when we met at the Music City Sheraton. I have been privileged to serve as an officer and board member for many years of this great organization. We have been blessed to have The University of Tennessee to be our source of information and lead us year after year.
Connie and I started The Hogan Company in 1996. We took $100.00 from our pocket and bought a $79.00 checkbook. We started selling seed with $21.00 in the bank. Our first bag of seed was sold to ACE Hardware, a bag of creeping red fescue. Since the start of our business, Stephen Callis, our son-in-law, came on board and sales have been super. We have sold millions of pounds of seed all over the United States.
Our Mission Statement is, “We will buy, sell, and consistently deliver the finest quality seed available to turf and forage customers of Kentucky, Tennessee, and the U. S. We will only offer products that will protect our environment and enhance our communities.” Thanks to all our customers. God is GOOD.
As I stated at our TTA Annual Meeting, if you are a young turf manager, please get to know some of the older members of TTA. We will help you not only to become better turf managers, but we will also show you how to become a better person by sharing with you the wisdom we have received from God by walking the roads of life that you will soon walk.
Now, the rest of the story. What I didn’t share at the Annual Meeting is for us old folks. Those of us that have walked the roads of life should reach out to the younger generation and mentor the next group of turf managers and impart to them the wisdom we have received from God due to our age.
I asked the question at the close of the Annual Meeting, why did God destroy all the grass on earth before recreating the new earth? An answer would be, He knew He had the best “Turf Managers” the world had to offer here in the great State of Tennessee!
