DuraEdge Products, Inc. hires Tom Burns

DuraEdge Products Inc. and Subsidiaries, announced the hiring of Tom Burns. Expanding its business development team, Burns will offer support in education, partner relations, and DuraEdge Authorized Installation for the Southern/Texas sales region.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Tom to the DuraEdge team,” said Grant C. McKnight, president. “He is someone I have had a deep personal respect for since meeting him for the first time when he joined Diamond Pro. His insight will be a great asset to the entire team at DuraEdge and we look forward to having him expand our presence in the Texas and Oklahoma markets.” 

Currently based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Burns brings more than 40 years of experience in the sports field industry. Burns started his career in 1978 in Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked under legendary groundskeeper, Marshall Bossard. From there, Burns took his knowledge to Spring Training. Beginning in Arizona as head groundskeeper for the Angels, then Florida as head groundskeeper for the Rangers. There he earned Florida State League Groundskeeper of the Year. In 1996 Burns was promoted to the director of grounds for the Texas Rangers. Burns also gained valuable experience working for companies within the industry such as TXI Diamond Pro from 2006-2015 where he supported distributors across the country, Ewing Irrigation where he served as sports field specialist, and most recently Sports Field Solutions as general manager for their materials division and renovation & construction projects. In 2009, Burns received the STMA’s Harry Gill Award, the association’s highest honor, representing an individual’s dedication and service to the Sports Turf Industry.

“I have known Tom since 2001 when I was at the Pirates and he was working for the Rangers,” said Luke Yoder, Senior VP of Business Development at DuraEdge Products. “His passion and dedication to promote safer playing fields has been relentless over the years. He has shared his vast knowledge, experience, tricks of the trade, and best practices with any and all who are eager to learn. We have many clients that have great trust in Tom who will now be able to lean on him to make sense of what solution is right for them. Tom is a close friend and I am personally excited for us to be able to work closely together again,” 

The knowledge and expertise of Burns will be a valuable addition as the demand continues to grow across the US for DuraEdge products and services. In total, the business development team at DuraEdge now has a combined 100-plus years of professional sports field experience to offer.