James Puryear joins the sales team
James Puryear, the son of John and Laura Puryear (founders of Puryear Farms) joins the company full time. He studied mechanical engineering at Tennessee Tech University before switching majors and earning his Bachelors in Business Management. He made this change in order to pursue a career in the family business. This is an exciting development for the company, which has been in business for over almost thirty years. He is not the first “second generation” employee in the company, but he is certainly the first in the family! The company is fortunate to have several employees who have chosen to work for the same company where their parent is employed. This multi-generational workforce aspect is one of the strengths of our company.
Experience and training
His aptitude for business was evident from a young age of eight years old. He pulled a red wagon around the neighborhood with a hand painted sign on the side which read “James’ Handyman Service”. Additionally, he has worked in almost every role at Puryear Farms since he was fourteen years old. His extensive studies in Engineering, combined with his business degree, creates a great combination. Excelling in technical design and calculations involving the complexities of irrigation design, he is an expert in Autocad. Consequently, during his internship with our company last summer, his advanced knowledge of hydraulics, site plans, and engineered drawings, aided him in securing new business from a large commercial developer. Now, as a full-time member of the sales team at Puryear Farms, he is focused on estimating and bidding large commercial projects as part of our talented sales team.
Looking towards the future
In his spare time, James is also preparing for certification through the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Earning this “Certified Manager” designation will place him among a small, elite group of landscape professionals across the country . This comprehensive four-hour exam covers;
- Leadership and Corporate Citizenship
- Risk law and Contracts
- Strategic Planning
- Corporate Financial Management
- Marketing and Management
- Human Resources
- Exterior Production Operations and Horticulture.
We are excited to have James as an integral part of our operation, helping to build the future of Puryear Farms.