Spotlight Interview: Neil Jones Senior Territory Manager for the Carolinas and Virginia
Posted by Buy Sod/SodStar on Aug 15th 2025
Meet Neil Jones: Passion, Precision, and People at the Heart of Turfgrass in the Carolinas and Virginia
At Buy Sod/SodStar, we believe that strong turf starts with strong relationships—and no one exemplifies that better than Neil Jones, Senior Territory Manager for the Carolinas and Virginia.
With over 30 years of experience across golf course management, landscape operations, and agronomy, Neil’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets purpose in the green industry. From his early days as an 18-year-old crew member at a country club to managing large-scale sod installations—like the seamless 1.2 million sq. ft. Zeon Zoysia rollout in Severna Park, MD—he brings experience and a deep-rooted love for turfgrass to every customer relationship and project.
In this edition of the SodStar Spotlight on People, get to know Neil’s story—what drives him, what he’s learned from working across turfgrass systems in the Southeast, and why relationship-building is the root system for long-term success in the turf industry.
"Tell us about your background, your current role, and what gets you excited to come to work each day."
My introduction in the green industry came as an 18-year-old laborer on the maintenance staff at a country club. It was there that really brought out my passion in agronomy and pushed me towards attaining my degree and making a career out of turfgrass. I had no idea at the time that it would be the start of a thirty-year journey encompassing golf, landscaping and agronomy. As Senior Territory Manager, I’m now able to collaborate with our customers on their projects.
"What's one specific project or customer interaction that really resonated with you, and why?"
Six years ago, we completed a Zeon fairway project for a country club in Severna Park, MD. It was about 1.2 million square feet of sod and a 300 mile journey from the farm. We completed the project in about 60 days without any complications. I was extremely nervous when the project began just with the sheer amount of variables in covering that distance with that amount of product. The entire project could not have gone more smoothly. What a surge of confidence to know that we could handle a project of that scale with ease.
"What's something you've learned working here that surprised you or changed your perspective?"
We are consistently looking for ways to improve how things are accomplished. Whether it’s better cultivars of turf, improving efficiencies within our logistics team to our everyday business processes. We are constantly evaluating and making changes where necessary.
"When you're not at work, what's something you're passionate about or love spending time on?"
I am a fervent follower of all things N.C. State and a sports fan in general. I also love to be in the outdoors as much as possible.
"If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering working in the turfgrass industry, what would it be?"
Continue to build and maintain relationships within the industry. I am amazed that after all these years, I still interact with a majority of the same general nucleus of people. We have all grown, matured and aspired to different areas, but are still largely within the green industry.