Bridget Bergey, Employee Since 2013
Bridget grew up on a farm and participated in 4-H during her childhood. However, it was not until she was an undergrad at The Ohio State University that she learned of her passion for diagnostics. At OSU, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Plant Health, Minor in Agri-Business, and Master’s Degree in Plant Pathology. After attending Ohio State University, Bridget was able to work as a plant disease diagnostician at the same University. Following that, she worked as a Integrated Pest Management Specialist and Horticulturalist at a small landscape company. It was at the landscape company that Bridget met ATS sales rep, Doug Dawson, and later joined ATS.
Bridget has been the warehouse manager for our Lewis Center, OH, location since 2013 and just recently got married. She said, “I really enjoy working for ATS; it’s a great company and feels like a big family.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Still getting to do diagnostic work with plants. I love diagnostics, so, it is very rewarding when customers bring in plant samples. I get to piece together what is going on with their plant and come up with solutions, whether it be chemical, fertilizer, or cultural/environmental fixes.”
Who would you most like to emulate?
“I would most like to emulate my dad. He works very hard and is a great businessman. People respect him and look to him for advice.”
Would you describe yourself as more laid back or more intense?
“I’m more calm and relaxed, and the people I work with every day make it easy to be so. They are great to work with.”
What’s one guilty pleasure you enjoy too much to give up?
“Folded potato chips. I really like the kettle-cooked potato chips you find in the bag that are folded in half. I take those types of chips out of the bag before any other chips.”
What’s your favorite food to cook? Why?
“I love cooking, and I think any type of cooking is fun. I would say I love to cook comfort food the most, especially macaroni and cheese. However, any food that makes my husband and myself happy is my favorite (this does happen to include homemade macaroni and cheese).”
When you go to a movie, do you like to sit in the back, middle, or front? Why?
“I sit in the middle because it is just right. It’s not too close or too far away”.
What are your three favorite television shows?
“Law and Order SVU. I have always liked this show because the acting has always been good. Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. Sex and the City. I’ve watched all 6 seasons and every winter I binge watch them all over again.”
Bill Dunham, Employee Since 2015
Bill has been around the turf industry for most of his life. His father, Dan Dunham, cofounder of Advanced Turf Solutions, taught him all the details of the industry from a young age. Bill’s experience in the industry spans both golf and lawn care. He worked in lawn care in high school and later worked as a spray tech for a golf course, a golf course assistant superintendent, and a golf course superintendent (14 years).
Bill has been married for 4 years, has a stepdaughter, and recently moved to Columbus, OH. He says after moving away from family and not getting to see them as much, he enjoys all the time he gets with them when he visits.
What is your favorite part of your job?
“My favorite part of my job is still being able to work out on the golf course. At ATS, I work with the spreading truck and this allows me to interact with the golf course superintendents, which is fun. Having been a golf course superintendent myself, we have a lot in common to talk about.”
Who is the person you have learned the most from?
“I would say I have learned the most from my dad. He taught me all the ins and outs of the industry and helped me get my first job in the industry. He would try to answer all the questions I would ask him, even though he was more on the lawn care side of things and I was more on the golf side.”
What activities do you like?
“I enjoy playing golf and going for a ride on my mountain bike. I also enjoy taking my Borador (Border Collie/Lab mix), Daphne, to the dog park.”
If someone was going to buy you a present for $100,000, what would be the greatest thing you could receive?
“A black Corvette. It would be awesome to drive one and see how fast it can go.”
What kinds of movies do you enjoy?
“I like most kinds of movies, but I really enjoy drama and comedies. The Star Wars and Hobbit movies would be my favorite movies.”
Who’s the most famous person you have met?
“I had met a few professional athletes while working at one of the golf courses. I met Bobby Knight, Marshall Fulk, Jim Harbaugh, Dallas Clark, and Jeff Foster. I did not get to talk to Tony Siragusa, but I did also meet him.”
What is the worst-tasting thing you’ve ever eaten? Do you have a favorite food?
“The worst-tasting food I have tried is Tofu. I do not think it tastes good at all. My favorite food is a big burrito from Charbonos in Avon, Indiana.”
