Jim Nedin, a consultant for Turf Industry Service Business Optimization in York, Pa., is the winner of the 2019 Edwin Budding Award from GCSAA.
The Edwin Budding Award, named for the inventor of the lawn mower, is given annually to an equipment manager or related innovator, technician, educator or engineer who has made a significant impact in the golf and turf business.
Nedin has been involved in the turf industry for more than 40 years. He began his career as a golf course superintendent in the early 1970s and has taught turf industry-related seminars for more than 30 years. Nedin has provided technical support for a multitude of state, regional, national and international golf tournaments.
Nedin currently consults for private service businesses and has worked with The Toro Co. for many years. In addition to working with turf equipment distributors to improve service delivery performance, he leads turf equipment maintenance and application seminars for various turf industry associations and universities.
“Working in the turf industry has been much more than a job to me. It has been my life’s work and passion,” says Nedin, who is a member of the Greater Pittsburgh GCSA. “There’s a picture of me standing behind my father’s reel-type power lawn mower when I was just 5 years old. At age 9, I worked in a lawn mower repair shop, and in my teens, I started working at a local country club, repairing golf carts and turf equipment. Eventually, I was promoted to assistant superintendent, then superintendent. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many great people. The late Tom Buehner, CGCS, one of the first 10 GCSAA-certified superintendents, was an inspiration and great mentor to me.”
Nedin earned a degree in mechanical engineering from LaSalle University and a degree in general business, marketing and accounting from the Pittsburgh Business Institute. While in distribution, he was honored with multiple awards from Toro, and he served several terms on Toro’s commercial service advisory board. He has also served on Penn State’s turf equipment maintenance advisory board.
“One thing that comes to mind when I think of Jim Nedin is dedication,” says Tina Stohlman, who has worked with Nedin for five years in her role at Turf Equipment and Supply Co. “Jim doesn’t take a break; he does whatever needs to be done in order to help us with our needs. He has been a mentor to me, and it has been a privilege to know this brilliant and dedicated engineer.”
Nedin will formally receive the Edwin Budding Award at the 2020 Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Fla., where he will be recognized on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 11:30 a.m. at the “Inside the Shop” area on the trade show floor (booth No. 4800).
Nedin will also be among the educational presenters at the Golf Industry Show, for Equipment Management Session II: From Sprayers to Social Media, and for the half-day seminar Understanding Mowing Technology and Its Effects on Quality of Cut and After-Cut Appearance.
“Being the recipient of this year’s prestigious Edwin Budding award is truly an honor,” says Nedin. “There are so many great people in this industry I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years. We get up every morning, go to work, and simply do our jobs. I am humbled and greatly appreciative to those who nominated me.”
View the complete list of past Edwin Budding Award recipients.