Warren Gorowitz went to college because he was interested in becoming a golf course superintendent. A friend, who graduated from Cal Poly a year before, recruited Warren to work as a branch manager for an irrigation distributor. For several years Warren has enjoyed working in the service arena – he appreciates working in distribution, because he is able to develop relationships with people, while he tries to solve their irrigation problems. Going to Cal Poly gave Warren exposure to many aspects of the green industry – traveling to ALCA Student Career Days allowed him the opportunity to seriously consider many avenues in turf and landscape aside from just the golf course, which originally attracted him to Horticulture. “Great people are in the irrigation industry. It seems people are happier when they feel their work makes a difference – it’s great to be a part of such a growing, exciting industry that has such an impact on our environment.”

Trevor William Lieb, Senior Technical Writer
Kansas State University, B.S. Agriculture
Major in Agricultural Technology Management
Secondary Degree in Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences
Minors in Agronomy& Agricultural Economics

Trevor Lieb’s interest in irrigation and equipment began at an early age growing up in the Kansas-Bostwick Irrigation District. Trevor now is a Senior Technical Writer, where he writes owners and parts manuals as well as service bulletins for newly developed products and systems and parts already out in the field. His job and education allows him to utilize his interest and knowledge in soil and water relationships, equipment, management practices and technology to write manuals that help individuals assemble and repair large machinery, often while in the middle of a field. “Irrigation is an ever changing field - it is vastly diversifying and growing. Everyday technology is helping us to create machinery which allows us to maximize the efficiency of water.”

Susan Rathbun, CID, Agriculture Designer
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, B.S. Soil Science

Susan Rathbun feels the most valuable aspect of an advanced education is that it gave her an opportunity to “pick and choose” her interests, while exploring strengths and weaknesses. Susan found one of her strengths is the ability to visualize – which she utilizes daily as a designer for agricultural systems. She enjoys designing because no field or system is ever the same – and every project is a new adventure. Along with her marriage and raising two children, Susan names serving as Chair of the Irrigation Association Certification Board (CB) as a highlight of her 29 year career. “It gave me an incredible amount of self confidence, and was wonderful to be so well received by the agriculture community. The IA certification program has grown tremendously throughout the years – and I look forward to seeing our standards of professionalism continue to improve with certification leading the way.”

Joe Tennant, Irrigation Superintendent
Walla Walla Community College
Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences in Irrigation Technology

Joe Tennant was hired as an irrigation foreman prior to even completing his senior project at Walla Walla Community College. Now as an Irrigation Superintendent, Joe develops golf courses – dealing with irrigation designers, reading plans, running equipment, doing electrical work. A superintendent is really a jack-of-all- trades – traveling the country and often the world to complete the project. “I got into irrigation because I wanted to be hands on – my job provides a lot of versatility. Everyday is different.”