LANSING, Mich. – Toro Water Conservation Business Manager Jim Laiche was awarded the American Society of Irrigation Consultants 2014 Roy Williams Memorial Award at this year’s annual conference in Portland, Oregon.
Jim Laiche, who grew up in south Louisiana, was introduced to irrigation in Dallas, Texas, working for a small landscape and irrigation company where he learned to design and install irrigation systems. Armed with a BS in horticulture from Louisiana State University and his Texas Irrigator’s License, he started a local irrigation contracting company in Texas. He later earned his Masters in landscape architecture from LSU.
Laiche joined The Toro Company in 1988 calling on contractors, consultants, distributors and golf courses. As regional sales manager, Laiche organized numerous Toro University training events and has taught hundreds of irrigation workshops at various national universities. He also has served Toro as a central control specialist, working with several large institutions to reduce irrigation water use, including Disney, University of Notre Dame, Baylor University, Central Park, General Mills, Yum Brands and Darden Restaurants.
Named after an ASIC founder and one of the original independent irrigation consultants some 27 years ago, the Roy Williams award is given for significant contributions to the irrigation industry by an individual, organization or business.
Formerly the ASIC Industry Achievement Award, the Roy Williams Award was renamed after the Society’s founder and first president in 1988. Recent past winners include Dave Davis, Denne Goldstein, Bill Kubly and Dr. James Watson.
The Roy Williams Award is not an annual accolade. It is given to an individual or organization as the society deems appropriate. Any member of the society may submit nominations in industry areas that include irrigation design and application, water conservation, research, academia, manufacturing and all related fields. ASIC members and non-members alike are eligible for the Roy Williams Award.
