RAIN BIRD GOLF ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF PAUL ROCHE AS ITS NATIONAL SPECIFICATION MANAGER

TUCSON, Ariz., (February 12, 2007) - Today Rain Bird announced the addition of Paul Roche to its Golf Division in the role of national specification manager.  In this position, Roche is responsible for the development and management of key relationships with architects, irrigation designers and contractors serving the golf market.  In addition, Roche is involved with the further development of Rain Bird’s valued service offerings for both its customers and business partners. 

Roche brings to Rain Bird and its customers over 20 years of irrigation experience.  For the past 14 years, Roche has led the Golf Irrigation effort for S. V. Moffett Company in Rochester, N.Y. - a well respected Rain Bird Golf irrigation distribution partner.  Roche is well versed in all aspects of golf irrigation including design, installation, and maintenance of modern sophisticated irrigation systems.

Roche received a bachelor’s degree in turfgrass science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and holds Irrigation Association (IA) certifications of irrigation designer, irrigation contractor, golf irrigation auditor and landscape irrigation auditor.  In addition, he has been active in the IA with service on its board of directors and in developing the IA’s educational programs. Roche is co-author of the book “Golf Course Irrigation,” which has become the authoritative reference on the subject.  

“Rain Bird is very pleased to have Paul join our team,” said Jeff Kiewel, national sales manager for Rain Bird Golf.  “He has a unique combination of technical expertise, business acumen and golf industry experience that will be priceless to our customers and stakeholders in the golf irrigation market.”

In the short term, Roche will be intricately involved with the mutual customers of S.V. Moffett Company and Rain Bird to ensure that they are provided for through Roche’s transition.

About Rain Bird Golf

Rain Bird Corporation - Golf Division manufactures a wide range of irrigation products for golf courses: pump stations, EAGLE™ Gear-drive Rotors, the EAGLE Wireless Rotor Series, field controllers, map-based central control irrigation systems, decoders, swing joints, flow meters, filtration systems, valves and irrigation accessories.  Rain Bird Central Control and Pump Station components are serviced and supported by a comprehensive Global Service Plan (GSP).  These products are sold worldwide through an extensive network of specialty irrigation distributors.  For more information, please contact 1-800-RAINBIRD or visit www.rainbird.com.

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Contact:
Sarah Willnerd
(402) 437-6411
sarahw@sramarketing.com