Phoenix Environmental Care About Us

Our Mission and Values
Phoenix Environmental Care is dedicated to offering you greater value in the turf and aquatic pesticides you need every day. We do that by selecting effective, popular fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and other established products whose patents have expired, and then we improve them.

Phoenix products are much more than just plain “generics.” Our newer formulations take advantage of the latest technological innovations in manufacturing and better options in raw materials—all to produce top-quality pesticides and plant growth regulators at more cost-efficient prices.

When you choose Phoenix Environmental Care products, rest assured you're buying from the best value provider in the industry.

Company History
Technically, Phoenix Environmental Care was created in 2004, but everything else about us goes back much farther. Our founding partners and top management (see Bios) are seasoned professionals with decades of experience in serving golf course superintendents, aquatic applicators and turf managers.

Also, the post-patent active ingredients used in our improved formulations are long-standing, tried-and-true chemistries, all based on ingredients that are proven and accepted throughout the industry.

Our company was founded in response to turf and aquatic applicators’ needs for value-added fungicides, herbicides and insecticides. Now Phoenix – named for the mythical bird that was reborn to be better – is meeting those needs every day.

COMPANY BIOS:

COMPANY BIOS

Owen Towne, President
In addition to his degrees in agricultural economics, Owen literally brings a world of experience to the company, having successfully developed non-crop pesticide business in 13 different countries. Before starting Phoenix Environmental Care, Owen worked for other major chemical companies serving the Green and Aquatic Industries. In 2004, Owen became one of only three people to be awarded the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association’s “Distinguished Service” Award for his exemplary career and continuous support of the turf industry.

Office: 229.245.8845
Cell: 229.563.4344

Craig Smith, Aquatic Products Manager
Craig has almost twenty years of experience in the aquatics and vegetation management industry. Before joining Phoenix Environmental Care, he spent fifteen years working in aquatics, wetland and environmental services for one of the nation’s leading vegetation management companies, Aquagenix, Inc. Craig, who also has a degree in Biology and Chemistry, is known for combining his career passion with a unique sense of humor: he says his biggest turn-on is still a great-looking pond.

Cell: 561.301.8326

Patti Niewoehner, Director of Marketing
Patti is responsible for managing our company-wide customer service, advertising and public relations programs, but she’s equally adept in the field. Patti began her career in product development with Union Carbide’s Ag Division, where she worked with the USDA on pink bollworm eradication in Arizona. Patti also has a great deal of experience marketing fungicide products to peach growers in Georgia and the Carolinas, and she spent several years with Sandoz Crop Protection as a territory manager spearheading new product launches.

Office: 229.245.8856

Rick Grant, Director of Business Development
After graduating from Purdue University with a degree in Agricultural Economics, Rick worked in sales management and market development in the turf and landscape industry for 16 years, starting his professional career with Ciba-Geigy in its agricultural chemicals group, but soon transferring to the Turf and Ornamentals Division. Rick had most recently been with Griffin L.L.C. when he made the move to Phoenix Environmental Care, where he now applies his many talents to developing better products for you.

Cell: 317.501.2395

Sherry Hutcheson, Director of Regulatory Affairs
Sherry brings more than 15 years of product registration and regulatory experience to the Phoenix Environmental Care team. At Phoenix Environmental Care, Sherry handles product registrations with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state EPA authorities. She also develops regulatory strategies and assures that the company is in compliance with regulatory standards as set forth by the EPA. Prior to joining Phoenix Environmental Care, Sherry worked for an international regulatory consulting firm handling domestic and international product registrations. She has also worked as a laboratory manager in environmental services management and as an analytical chemist. She holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga.

Mike Layel, Director of National Accounts
Mike has more than 25 years of sales, marketing and management experience in the turf industry. Prior to joining the Phoenix Environmental Care team, he held various sales and management positions with top companies serving the turf industry. At Phoenix Environmental Care, Mike is responsible for working closely with regional and national golf management companies as well as military bases across the world to develop and implement sales and marketing programs. He will also
be responsible for identifying opportunities to grow and expand Phoenix Environmental Care’s business and customer base, developing relationships with potential customers and building
awareness of the company and its products.He holds a degree in horticulture from Sandhills College in Pinehurst, N.C.

mike layel
Cell: 704.651.8111

Mike Donahue, Northeast Sales Manager
Before joining Phoenix Environmental Care, Mike had already accumulated an impressive amount of experience in sales and sales management with other top companies serving the golf course industry. Today, Mike is responsible for covering the New England Specialty Turf and Ornamental markets from Maine to Virginia for us. He is actively involved in the green industry and represents a wealth of useful skills and technical knowledge.

Cell: 860.490.1929

Sharon Stanfill, Office Manager
Sharon is one of those special “behind the scenes” experts who can really get things done. Her vital role at Phoenix Environmental Care includes such essential functions and responsibilities as our Accounts Payable and Receivable, customer orders, inter-office communications and too many others to mention. A Michigan native who’s adapted beautifully to Southern living, Sharon is a unique blend of experience, efficiency and enthusiasm. She’s also highly skilled at growing great vegetables, and her favorite color is, of course, green.

Office: 229.245.8856

Chuck Easton, Midwest Sales Associate
Chuck has a wide range of talents, which is appropriate considering his varied professional background and the scope of the five-state region he serves. With more than 25 years’ experience in sales, marketing and technical support for our industry, Chuck has a complete understanding of the operational needs of golf and lawn care, from the perspective of end users as well as distributors. In addition to vast product knowledge and market insight, Chuck is known for his passionate commitment to superior customer service. Chuck and his family reside in Noblesville, Indiana.