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8 Green Media July 2014 www.greenmediaonline.com ASIC AnnounCeS Roy WIllIAMS InduStRy AChIeveMent AWARd Toro Water Conservation Business Manager Jim Laiche was awarded the American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) 2014 Roy Williams Memorial Award at this year's annual conference in Portland, Ore. Laiche, who grew up in south Louisiana, was introduced to irrigation in Dallas, Texas, working for a small landscape and irrigation company where he learned to design and install irrigation systems. Armed with a BS in Horticulture from Louisiana State University and his Texas Irrigator's License, he started a local irrigation contracting company in Texas. He later earned his Masters in Landscape Architecture from LSU. Laiche joined The Toro Company in 1988 calling on contractors, consultants, distributors and golf courses. As regional sales manager, Laiche organized numerous Toro University training events and has taught hundreds of irrigation workshops at various national universities. He also has served Toro as a central control special- ist, working with several large institutions to reduce irrigation water use, including Disney, University of Notre Dame, Baylor University, Central Park, General Mills, Yum Brands and Darden Restaurants. "I'm honored to be recognized with the Roy Williams Award and be in the compa- ny of such great past recipients," said Laiche. "I don't see myself as anyone special. I can truly say that I love my job. When you feel that way, just doing what you do for a liv- ing is a privilege, not a task." "Jim has dedicated the last 25 years of his career teaching the importance of — and improving the practice of — profes- sional irrigation," said ASIC Executive Director Carol Colein. "His guidance in applying irrigation design and central control in effecting critical water conser- vation principles represents in part the future of irrigation." Named after an ASIC founder and one of the original independent irrigation consultants some 27 years ago, the Roy Williams award is given for significant contributions to the irrigation industry by an individual, organization or business. Formerly the ASIC Industry Achievement Award, the Roy Williams Award was renamed after the Society's founder and first president in 1988. Recent past winners include: * Dave Davis * Denne Goldstein * Bill Kubly * Dr. James Watson The Roy Williams Award is not an annual accolade. It is given to an indi- vidual or organization as the Society deems appropriate. Any member of the Society may submit nominations in industry areas that include irrigation design and application, water conserva- tion, research, academia, manufacturing, and all related fields. ASIC members and non-members alike are eligible for the Roy Williams Award. IA WelCoMeS neW bRonze pReMIuM MeMbeRS The Irrigation Association announced that Atlantic Irrigation Specialties, Inc. (White Plains, N.Y.) and North American Pipe Corporation (Houston) have become bronze premium members. Atlantic Irrigation is an irrigation/land- scape distributor with 27 locations along the eastern seaboard. Atlantic Irrigation carries irrigation, landscape and light- ing products from major manufacturers and also provides residential/commercial services that include contractor support, training and irrigation design. With eight facilities and six customer service centers, North American Pipe Corporation is the second largest PVC pipe manufacturer in the United States. The company services the municipal water and sewer, residential plumbing, irrigation, agricultural and do-it-yourself markets. The bronze premium member des- ignation will provide Atlantic Irrigation and North American Pipe with expand- ed member benefits, including increased industry exposure through IA's media channels and exclusive marketing and advertising discounts. Investing in pre- mium membership demonstrates indus- try leadership and helps the Irrigation Association direct efforts to implement its revised strategic plan, adopted by the IA Board of Directors in September 2013. The new plan focuses on changing the public perception of irrigation by develop- ing standards and regulations and educat- ing frontline irrigation professionals. IA membership gives companies and individuals competitive business advantag- es, access to a national network of industry experts and a powerful voice in advocacy efforts. In addition to regular membership, IA has four premium membership catego- ries for companies: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. All member dues help fund the association's core strategic initiatives. IRRIGAtIon FoundAtIon ReleASeS AnnuAl RepoRt The Irrigation Foundation released its 2013 annual report summarizing initiatives and accomplishments. IA members can download this year's report on the founda- tion website. In 2013, the foundation revised its strategic plan to better align with its mission of attracting people to careers in irrigation. In response, the founda- tion's volunteer and staff leadership have pursued a number of new activities to expand existing programming and grow its most successful programs. Some of the foundation's most notable accomplishments in 2013 included: * Sending a record number of 15 stu- dents and educators to the 2013 Irrigation Show & Education Conference as part of the Irrigation E3 Program. * Subsidizing housing for six irrigation students who gained hands-on industry experience during a 12-week summer internship. * Doubling the number of Irrigation Career Link job views and featuring posi- tions in more than 15 states. * Helping offset travel expenses for 22 educators from 20 colleges to attend the 2013 Irrigation Faculty Academy. * Recognizing Cathie Lavis, PhD, CID, CLIA, as the 2013 Excellence in Education Award recipient. * Connecting with 30 agricultural educators at the National Future Farmers of America Convention to help them and their students understand the role of water on the farm and in landscapes. Industry News