Welcome to the board Mitch Hooton

Jim, Joan and their family celebrating 50 years of marriage. (left to right: Son, Jamie; Granddaughter, Hope Deuel; Jim; Joan; Grandson Camden Deuel (MSU Freshman); Daughter Jen Deuel; Son-in-Law, Brent Deuel; and Granddaughter, Ryann Deuel). Retirement has allowed Jim to return to his childhood love of trains; volunteering at a local tourist railroad; as well as maintaining a garden railroad in his back yard, which is often visited by local residents.

Along with Toro, Spartan Distributors over the years has provided millions of dollars of both turf equipment and irrigation product to MSU’s Turfgrass program in addition to many other contributions. Dawn, Bruce, and Kris are thankful for the long term partnership and believe the future is bright for those now benefitting from past and current investments.

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation welcomes Mitch Hooten to it’s Board of Directors! Mitch will be representing Sports or Institutional Turf. From the West Michigan Whitecaps website: Mitch is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in Agronomy with an emphasis in Golf and Sports Turf Management . He spent the 2016 season with the Beloit Snappers as the Heads Groundskeeper and also has worked in grounds with the Toledo Mud Hens, The Detroit Tigers, The Nashville Sound, and Kannapolis Intimidators. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his wife Emily, daughter Madalyn and dog Dixie.