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Tom grew up in rural Southeastern Ohio where he spent his summers as a hired hand on a large dairy farm.
His interest in agriculture stems from this early experience, which led to studying agronomy at the
University of Maryland. Tom graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science.
His first work experience as an Agronomist was as a Turf Research Technician for the University of
Maryland. This exposure to turf research stimulated his interest in turf grass production. The
experience as a research technician led to a promotion as a Sod and Seed Certification Specialist
for the State of Maryland. Tom and his family then moved to the Southwest Virginia area in the fall
of 1979 after he accepted a similar position at Virginia Tech.
Tom recognized the growing need for turf grass in the Roanoke valley and decided to start a
business growing and installing turf grass for both residential and commercial markets.
Brad joined the staff of Lavery's Sod Farm in 2003 as the General Manager. Brad's background in farming included raising hogs and row crops while growing up in western Ohio. Brad went to school at the University of Dayton where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1993. While working as an engineer for an international compressor manufacturer, Brad earned an MBA from Auburn University. After 10 years in engineering and manufacturing management, Brad moved to Virginia to enter the turf industry.
Katie grew up in the sod business, serving as her dad's first grunt labor/assistant. She worked on the farm from its inception until 1993 when she graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park. Katie's Bachelor of Science degree is in Marine Biology, and she later earned a Master of Science in Biology as well. Katie worked as a science teacher in Alabama, North Carolina, Indiana, and Virginia before returning to the sod business in 2004.
