March is Women’s History Month, and we thought we would mark the occasion by introducing you to one of our favorite women, Vice President of Marketing and Golf Course Sales Merett Alexander.
When you grow up in a family-owned business, the lines between work, family, business and life are often blurred. The majority of Merett’s personal and professional history has revolved around NG Turf, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Work on the Farm
Merett was only 8 years old when her family launched NG Turf, so she was immersed in the sod industry from a young age. She built on her early experiences to become a bonafide turfgrass expert, earning her executive position by first rising through the ranks.
After completing a degree from Auburn University in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Turf, she worked for her family’s sister business, Sports Turf Company, and then returned to the NG Turf farm in Whitesburg, Georgia, first overseeing the harvesting crew and then managing the main office.
“The people who work for me saw me grow up in the industry,” she explained. “I’ve done all aspects of our business, so I’ve earned their respect.”
Work on the Course
When the company expanded with a new farm, Merett moved into sales, launching NG Turf’s golf course segment. “We didn’t sell much to golf courses back then,” she said, but she took the challenge in stride, learning the game and educating herself about the courses. “It’s been fun to get to know the architectural and construction side of the golf courses, the history of how golf courses were built,” she said.
She also had to build a network. “I have developed some really great friendships working with these golf course superintendents,” she said. “Some of them have become like family to me.”
Applying her lifetime of knowledge about turfgrass to support golf superintendents has become a successful endeavor for Merett and for her company. “Over the last ten years we’ve grown it to more than 25% of our business,” Merett said. It is an impressive record for any salesperson, although she attributes much of the success to her family’s high quality product.
The mother of three active girls, Merett has also enjoyed sharing the game with her eldest daughter. “Since I’m involved in golf, it’s been great to watch her play, and at some pretty neat courses.”
To ask Merett about purchasing or caring for sod at your golf course, call 770.832.8608 or email info@NGTurf.com.
