SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Simplot Partners, a nationwide turf and horticulture distribution company based in San Diego, Calif., has named Nick Spardy, David Schermerhorn and John Maggiore to the management team. Simplot Partners, formerly known as Turf Partners, was acquired by the J.R. Simplot Company in July 2000.
Spardy, formerly the president of Turf Partners, will serve as vice president and general manager for Simplot Partners. His position oversees financial and management matters for the company. Spardy’s background in the turf industry began in 1987 when he was a Western turf specialist for Medalist Seed Company. Subsequently, he worked for Wilbur-Ellis Company and, from 1997 to 1999, served as vice president of the Western Region for Turf Partners. Spardy is a member of the board of directors for the San Diego Golf Course Superintendent Association and the editor of its publication, The Informer. He was also a turfgrass instructor at Cuyamaca College from 1990 to 1998.
Schermerhorn and Maggiore are serving as director of sales and national operations manager, respectively, on the Simplot Partners management team. Formerly the vice president of the East Region for Turf Partners, Schermerhorn will now be responsible for the 82-member, nationwide sales force for Simplot Partners. A native of Castleton, N.Y., he earned a bachelor’s degree in plant and soil science from the University of Massachusetts in 1985.
Maggiore takes on day-to-day operations duties for Simplot Partners for all 21 U.S. locations. He brings operations experience to his new post from his previous position as Turf Partners’ Western Region operations manager.
