Leading an Underground Revolution
The UgMO revolution is taking the country by storm. Here’s a look at who’s leading the charge.
STEVE PRESSLER, Vice President of Sales, West
From wine to water conservation – that was Steve Pressler’s introduction to UgMO.
After 28 years of sales leadership and senior management positions in the financial services industry, Steve was ready for a change of scenery. He studied to become a sommelier, opening his own wine business. But a recent trip to Napa Valley with his brother Paul – Vice Chairman of UgMO – charted yet another new and exciting career path as the tasting quickly turned into a talk with vineyard owners on irrigation practices, water conservation, and UgMO intelligence.
In the process, Steve himself was sold on UgMO, and last month he came on board as Vice President of Sales –West.
“I’m fascinated with the UgMO technology,” Steve said. “It’s revolutionary, and it’s been launched at the right time in the right place, in this new green world we’re living in.”
While he’s putting roots down in the golf arena now, Steve says UgMO’s applications are limitless. “The technology is applicable to any turf environment – virtually anything irrigated. And with guaranteed water savings, it’s an easy sell. I’m excited to be part of the team, and to help bring UgMO intelligence to the forefront of the turf world.”
A techy in his own right, previously Steve served as Vice President, North American Sales, for the Vendor Leasing division of Siemens Financial Services, Inc. (SFS, Inc.), where he focused on the technology and the commercial / industrial markets.
Steve can be reached at spressler@ugmo.com.
CAMERON JONES, Vice President of Sales, Southern California, Nevada
When you build a career in landscape management and land development in places like California, Nevada and Arizona, you know how true it is to refer to water as liquid gold. That’s what intrigued Cameron Jones about UgMO.
Now UgMO’s Regional Vice President of Sales in Southern California and Nevada, Cameron has seen first-hand how the guesswork that typically directs irrigation practices and systems can send water costs sky-high for a property. “I’ve run my own landscape construction businesses, I’ve managed turnarounds for large companies in the landscape construction industry, and I’ve managed irrigation systems for one of the top 10 land developers in the country,” he said. “In every instance, water use and its costs are top concerns. Penalties, alone, can quadruple the cost of water.”
Cameron says that UgMO’s ability to integrate with irrigation systems is key. “Couple UgMO data with advanced irrigation systems and you enhance the abilities of landscape managers and superintendents to better manage their environments, ultimately improving the landscape and lowering the overall costs.”
His customers – including turf managers at major sports facilities like Home Depot Center and Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles – are reporting that UgMO’s soil intelligence is both confirming their hunches about watering practices and also surprising them with real data that is changing their approach to irrigation. “Our UgMO sensors are game changers, and I’m delighted to be able to offer this technology as a proven solution to the California marketplace,” he said.
In addition to his own consulting work, Cameron’s background includes leadership positions with The Irvine Company, Rinker Materials (now Cemex), Gothic Landscape and RGS Services.
Talk to Cameron about your West Coast water concerns at cjones@ugmo.com.
KEVIN BUTLER, Vice President of Sales, Georgia, South Carolina
Are you ready for some football? UgMO has drafted the NFL’s Chicago Bears all-time leading scorer as its newest Regional Vice President of Sales in Georgia and South Carolina. Kevin Butler has had a storied career on the gridiron. A Georgia Bulldog (no relation to UgMO the bulldog!), he’s the only placekicker in the College Football Hall of Fame and was a member of the Bears squad for 11 seasons, including the fabled 1985 Super Bowl team.
Since retiring from the game in 1997, Kevin’s off-the-field career has matched the success of his on-field game. Most recently, his own consulting company has been focused on sports structures, their design and architecture, engineering, expansion, etc. Enter UgMO. “As a player, you appreciate a field that performs well, and soil moisture has a lot to do with that,” he said. “But for stadium managers, especially in the South, water is at a premium. UgMO is a technology that addresses the water issue head on, and it’s affordable – ultimately paying for itself.”
A member of the University of Georgia’s football broadcast team, Kevin is also chairman of The First Bank of Georgia and owns two luxury parking facilities at UGA – Bulldog Park and Tailgate Station.
To talk football and UgMO with Kevin, email him at kbutler@ugmo.com. Go Bulldogs!
RICK CREESE, Vice President of Sales, Florida
Florida is Rick Creese’s home turf, and he knows they don’t call it the Sunshine State for nothing. Along with those sunny skies comes some of the driest weather in the nation. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, it’s estimated that the state will need an additional 2 billion gallons of water a day by the year 2025.
With the need to protect and conserve water resources in Florida front and center, Rick – UgMO’s Vice President of Sales for the state – says UgMO’s message of accountability and environmental stewardship is already hitting home.
“From marquee golf properties to local municipalities, UgMO’s ability to provide snapshots of soil conditions along with data points, trend information and corrective actions gives instant accountability for the control and management of water use,” he said.
Rick comes to UgMO with 20 years of experience in commercial, industrial and residential real estate sales and development in Florida, most recently with Prudential Florida Realty, achieving Chairman Circle status as the top 3% of all agents for the last seven years.
He’s already put his selling skills to work, having presented the water-saving message to more than 125 organizations statewide. Currently, nearly a third of UgMO’s installations are happening in Florida.
Reach Rick at rcreese@ugmo.com.
What is UgMO? A revolutionary soil management technology that guarantees water savings, reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides, and optimal playing conditions on golf courses and other sports turf. UgMO’s wireless, rootzone intelligence system measures and analyzes soil moisture, temperature and salinity in real time, 24/7, with wireless underground sensors, fully interactive software and best-in-class agronomic consultations.
