Hall Of Fame Inductees

 

The individuals nominated should have made a significant impact or positive influence that assures the future of our industry in the lives of generations to come.

 

Once nominated, an individual’s biography and photo are updated on the site, and he or she is placed in the polls for voting. At the end of the year the committee takes into consideration the votes and decides which candidates are inducted.

 

Those with a star (*) next to their name below were either inducted posthumously or have passed away since being inducted.

 

Nomination Qualifications

  • Person with integrity and passion
  • Minimum 20 years in industry
  • Someone who has developed  or invented  new technology
  • Has made contributions that resulted in change
  • Contributed to mankind’s needs in his field
  • Provided education and encouragement  with self-sacrifice
  • Changed the industry

Chris Davey

The Toro Company

 

Chris is an irrigation industry veteran with over 40-years of service and experience. Starting-out working at the ‘business-end’ of a shovel in the mid-nineteen seventies, he worked for a Southern California landscaping company while attending Cal Poly Pomona.  After graduating, Chris was recruited by Rain Bird, Glendora, CA, where he enjoyed over 16 years of service in product management and marketing positions in their residential and commercial irrigation division.  After earning an MBA degree from the prestigious Drucker Business School at Claremont Graduate University, Chris transitioned to AG irrigation working for Agricultural Products, Inc. (API) where he stayed for 9 years eventually moving up the ranks to serve as API’s President.  

 

 

When API was acquired by Jain Irrigation (USA) Chris transitioned once again, this time to consulting work where he helped the then start-up Irrigator Technical Training School develop their curriculum and collateral material.  Chris also consulted for Walla Walla Sprinkler (Nelson Irrigation) working closely with distribution and contractors introducing and developing the market for the MP Rotator multi-stream, multi-trajectory nozzle.  At the same time, and with his business partner, Chris also opened three “Business Assistance” storefronts providing local companies with services including training materials, brochure development, public relations, printing, fulfillment, and other marketing support.

 

In the mid-2000’s, Chris accepted a position in the Plumbing industry as VP, Sales & Marketing for Arrowhead Brass Products (ABP) which also owned Champion Irrigation Products.  A successful 9-year stint in ‘Plumbing’, however, lead Chris back to his roots in ‘Irrigation’ where he now manages the hydraulic (think water goes through it) irrigation product line for The Toro Company. 

 

Chris is highly educated and motivated in furthering the technology and utilization of water smart products. He is extremely creative in helping to develop new hydraulic irrigation components that deliver ‘state of the future’ products. Chris also has an exceptional customer interface, always explaining what items are required and how they all work in an efficient system.

 

 

Chris is the co-Host of the award-winning NBC News Radio show, the Water Zone, which has won 17 prestigious awards from the US Congress, US Senate, EPA, the Irrigation Association and numerous state and local legislators. Over the years, he has been an active participant in various IA committees and water agencies. He continues to contribute to many training sessions for multiple water agencies, as well as state and federal regulatory committees across the country.