Join us on the Reel Turf Techs Podcast as we chat with Danny McConnell, the Technical Sales Support Manager for Bernhard and Company. From his humble beginnings in Illinois to his role in the turf industry, Danny shares his journey from a local golf course to equipment management and beyond. Gain valuable insights and practical tips for turf maintenance as we delve into Danny's expertise. Don't miss this engaging conversation with a true industry professional.
Join us on the Reel Turf Techs Podcast as we chat with Danny McConnell, the Technical Sales Support Manager for Bernhard and Company. From his humble beginnings in Illinois to his role in the turf industry, Danny shares his journey from a local golf course to equipment management and beyond. Gain valuable insights and practical tips for turf maintenance as we delve into Danny's expertise. Don't miss this engaging conversation with a true industry professional.
welcome to the reel turf techs podcast for the technician that wants to get reel follow along. As we talk to industry professionals and address hot topics that we all face along the way we'll learn tips and tricks. I'm your host, Trent. Manning let's have some welcome to the real turf text podcast. Episode 98. The day we're talking to Danny McConnell. Technical sales support manager for Bernhardt and company. They have four employees that cover north America market. Danny is one of those guys. You may one time and you feel like you've known him at your whole life. I hope you enjoy this episode. Let's talk to Danny. Welcome Danny to the Real Turf Text podcast. How you doing today?
Danny McConnell:Good, Trent. Thanks for having me.
Trent Manning:man. I'm looking, uh, looking forward to this one.
Danny McConnell:Yeah, I am too.
Trent Manning:reason, and I don't know you that well, we hung out a little bit last fall in Texas, but just you on Twitter, I think we have a lot of stuff in common. least
Danny McConnell:yeah, like, what? like
Trent Manning:So I'm, I'm,
Danny McConnell:so like top guns. Probably number one I'm assuming
Trent Manning:up there. Um, are you a Smokey and the Bandit fan?
Danny McConnell:I absolutely am.
Trent Manning:Yep.
Danny McConnell:Absolutely. I mean, number one for sure. I mean, number two is okay, but they kind filter down after that. You know what I mean? But, but yeah, absolutely. Burnt Reynolds, Jerry Reed. Oh gosh, yeah,
Trent Manning:good stuff.
Danny McConnell:It's a classic.
Trent Manning:had our member member tournament here, it's been about a month ago, and they had a whole concession set up next to the put green. So I walk up and I say, can I have a Diablo sandwich and a Dr. Pepper they, you And know, young girls, they're, don't, you know, early twenties or
Danny McConnell:Yeah. Way, way over their head. Yeah. Way over their head. Yeah. Yeah. And I'm, and I'm in a hurry,
Trent Manning:Yeah, yeah, exactly. Right. It was fun. I laughed.
Danny McConnell:Yeah. The, the bad part about that is I don't think anybody is, uh, the, the people that get those are a lot less nowadays, I think. know what I mean? It's just, we're kinda in a, I guess we're getting older. I don't wanna admit it, but I guess,
Trent Manning:you, you you that, but no,
Danny McConnell:Yeah, that's right. You're right.
Trent Manning:older and day. Well, tell us how you got into the turf industry.
Danny McConnell:about, uh, gosh, 22 years ago, which is even crazy to me even think about, I was looking for a high school job, grew up in the Midwest and, uh, grew up, uh, really just loving the outdoors. So when I heard there was a job that involved that, you know, working at a local country club, and I mean very local, if you look up, uh, Caddy Shack. I think it might have been, parts of it might have been filmed there. I don't know. It's the same, you know, the same vibe, the same, the same everything. But, uh, yeah. Uh, started there in high school, um, as a freshman. Uh, that was probably, yeah, 2000. Yeah. So it's, it's been a little while and I thought I wanted to go on the agronomy route. So went through, worked there through high school, went to, went to school, got an associate's degree. In turf management. And then, um, did a couple internships. I did one up in, uh, whistling Straits up in Wisconsin. Had a great time with that. landed an assistant job back close to where I, where I grew up, where I, where I was from. And, uh, probably about three years in the equipment manager position came up and me and the superintendent have a conversation, you know, up there. We'd always tear everything down in the wintertime. You know, so really every winter the assistant usually was in the shop with the equip manager. You know, we'd learn what we could from him and just ripping down reels, tearing down machines, and just getting everything ready for next year and really, really liked it. I've always had the mechanical aptitude, so I just really enjoyed it. So, uh, when the, when the position came up, and honestly the pay was better than I was at, and, you know, it was a smaller operation, so I knew I'd still be on the course at the same time. So I wasn't completely inside, so I went for it and uh, was there for about four more years at, at that position as a equip manager. But I will say it was still an assistant too, cuz on the weekends I changed cups and check mowers, you know, at all at the same time. So I started to figure out there was an issue with having the background on both of those people would like to use you for both of those and. Of course they don't pay more that either, generally. So so after about, uh, yeah, about four more years at deposition, um, a uh, job came up down in Texas College Station, um, was a place that my aunt lived for years and years. So I, I was familiar with the area, familiar with Texas a and m, and it was a new, uh, new course at, or not a new course, but of course they re refinished, rebuilt. That was the campus course at a and m. Um, so equipment manager position came up and I decided to go for it. The, uh, the pay was very well and a lot better than where I was at now. And, uh, we were just kinda looking for a different, somewhere that didn't snow or snow as often
Trent Manning:Okay
Danny McConnell:so that, that all those lined up for us. So I went down and interviewed and ended up getting the job, and they moved me down there and I was down there for, or wor worked there for several years and then, uh, after that actually ended up being a, uh, Yeah, field technician for Jacobson.
Trent Manning:Okay.
Danny McConnell:when Ja, so when Jacobson went direct back in, uh, I think it was what, 16? I think like that. So when they went direct, at least down in Texas, they were looking for road tech and I ended up jumping at the position trying, I mean, something different, right? And it, it was. Good. I'll, I'll say I learned a lot. I learned a lot of how to think on my feet, how to, you know, get things fixed anyways, anyway, necessary, so speak, So, I mean, I learned a lot, I learned, I, I met a lot of people, covered a pretty large amount of Texas too, so traveling was, was quite a bit too. And, uh, ended up working up to a service manager with them. So I had about five guys under me for a little while and still worked in the field and did that for man, probably until. Things just got a little shaky with them. And, you know, I decided to keep or look around just in case. And, um, I had a sales guy with John Deere that covered me when I was at, uh, a and m at the campus course, and he's like, man, you should get in sales. I'm like, man, I haven't sold a thing of my, my, my life or my, you know, ever. And he is like, sure you do. You sell service all the time. You know, service is really, you know how you get sales, right? I mean, you get the sale first, but then service is what keeps it. So after a while I thought about it and I decided to go for it. So I ended up working for, uh, Brookside, which is a John Deere dealer here in southeast Texas. honestly, really liked it. Um, came in a weird time. I came the year before Covid,
Trent Manning:Oh,
Danny McConnell:I had, I had one, one solid year and then, um, COVID hit and of course we didn't know what to think. And yeah, golf exploded. So ended up being really well and. I did that for, I think it was about, it was about two years, three years. And then, um, I saw the, the ad for, uh, Bernhard and honestly, everything that came up on that, on the job description was what I was looking for. I loved, you know, training aspect. I loved the customer aspect and engine, the support, I mean, and then a little bit of sales, so it all just kind of lined up and, you know, went for it and, Here we are today. So
Trent Manning:So a couple follow up questions to your story. when you were a kid, did you, you like stuff apart, putting it
Danny McConnell:I did. I was the, I was the one that took everything apart and then there'd usually be 10 things left after I put it back together, you know? So hopefully we didn't need those things. Um,
Trent Manning:and make it better that
Danny McConnell:Exac, Exactly. Exactly. Exactly.
Trent Manning:doing.
Danny McConnell:Right, right. And, and then I was the kid that when I got a license, you know, I had to, you know, do little tinkering on my truck and, you know, things like that. I, I, I grew up somewhat in the farming family too, so my grandpa farmed, so we, you know, we spent a lot of time in the farm and the tool shed just tinkering on tractors, lawn mowers, and, you know, all that stuff. So I've always had the, you know, the, the want and, and the enjoyment of doing that. So that's, yeah, I think that's what, what got me into it really.
Trent Manning:sure. Yeah. I don't, I was definitely taking stuff together and, not always putting it
Danny McConnell:I'm, we're still doing it right?
Trent Manning:Yeah. I I th
Danny McConnell:lot less.
Trent Manning:I do think there's less leftover parts
Danny McConnell:There is, yeah. There's generally none. If we, if we're, if we're doing it right,
Trent Manning:Tell me. So I talked to uh, Tommy Richey the other day, stopped by my say I shouldn't I talked to Tommy Richey, cuz anybody that knows Tommy Richey is you listen
Danny McConnell:didn't talk at all.
Trent Manning:didn't talk we come out of the office and left at one of our assistants, says, did you get any words in in that conversation? like,
Danny McConnell:Probably not.
Trent Manning:No. Um, if Tommy hears this, he knows I love him. He's a
Danny McConnell:Yeah, he's a great guy. I enjoy him.
Trent Manning:he was telling me about some training stuff that y'all are going, getting going and a school you're starting maybe or
Danny McConnell:Yes sir. Yeah. uh,
Trent Manning:bit about that.
Danny McConnell:Yeah, so, uh, Craig Aldean actually is, uh, he came on board with us back in January, I think it was January, but it, you know, towards the end or beginning of the year. And, uh, he's started, it's really a separate part of our business, but it's called the Bernhard Academy. And basically what he's tasked with doing is setting up these, uh, AC academies really everywhere. So we're doing it. We got a couple in the uk. Then we're actually working on setting some up here in the states too, and it's gonna be one of those deals where we, you know, bring our assistants, bring superintendents, bring equipment managers, and they're gonna learn everything there is about managing people, about any kind of topic we want to figure out. Like we might even have nothing to do with the actual turf industry. And then we'll also put in what we also like, what Chris and I and Tommy do as far as the, uh, seminar portion of the real theory and things like that. So that's, that's what we're working on right now. but yeah, I think it's a great idea. I think the, the training thing is just in the education. It we're, we're getting better in our industry, but I, I just, and there's obviously more to, more to do, I think. And that, and I, I love that that's the direction we're heading. I think that's really, really good. Really, really gonna
Trent Manning:was I really excited to, to hear that because I agree there's, there's not enough training out there for equipment managers and. Not that there's anything wrong with the local ones. We do, you know, on a local level.
Danny McConnell:Absolutely.
Trent Manning:are great, but you have one a year or two a year, you and it's you know, not that it has to be super formal. And then I don't know if Jake's doing anything. I know John Deere has a school, and Toro has a school.
Danny McConnell:Yep.
Trent Manning:you know, those are definitely worth attending. But still, that's one school. And you go to, I mean, last time I was at the John Deere school was close to 10 years ago, you
Danny McConnell:Absolutely. Yep.
Trent Manning:changes in the last 10 years
Danny McConnell:Right. and I like. No. No. And I like the idea that we're kind of going, you know, towards other subjects that are important, you know, but in, in, in school, I don't think they teach you enough on how to manage people, how to, you know, there's a whole other side to this industry other than just the mechanics and the agronomy and stuff like that. So I think it's, I think I'm excited that we're kind of mixing that together. We're gonna do a little bit of, of everything. I think it's, I think it'll be
Trent Manning:No, that's, yeah. Cause how many superintendents. Have any kinda training on how to manage people?
Danny McConnell:Exactly, and they, and I think they figure out that that's, heck, that might be 89% of the job. Really. I mean, it's, it's just managing people, right? I mean, how to everybody, you know, each person's different on your team. So it's, I feel like they're very under-prepared for that, that aspect when they come into the, into the job, right.
Trent Manning:I agree a hundred percent. And our setup, we got a director of agronomy, so we have two, you know, lower level superintendents not taking anything away from'em. They're still superintendents and they run day-to-day But every time I see'em in the office and they're dealing, you know, with some kind of employee issue or whatever, I you thought you were just gonna get to grow grass. You know, That's And I mean, that's the easy part really
Danny McConnell:It is. It really is. Yeah. Yeah. Managing people is, I mean, it can be the greatest thing in the world, but it's at the same time it's difficult too,
Trent Manning:I, when I'm not just calling them out, I'm in the exact same you know, pretty I'm good at fixing equipment. The equipment don't back, the equipment don't show up late. You know, all all these things deal with as a manager, and just like you're saying, if I'm working on, you know, a, a John Deere 7,500, this is a John Deere 7,500. When I got three
Danny McConnell:changes
Trent Manning:they're all different. And they all need things. They all want different things. So trying to make that team environment and grow that, it's, it's a struggle for sure.
Danny McConnell:It is, it is. And, and actually to, to that point, there's a, so I, I, I do a little bit with, uh, a and m. They have a turf program, and, uh, chase the, uh, One of the, uh, pro professors there, he does a class that really has everything to do with turf except turf, if that
Trent Manning:Okay. Yeah.
Danny McConnell:he has, he has, uh, people that come in, speakers and they talk about all the other aspects. So when I was with, with Deere, I came in and told the, and told the guys how to order equipment, like how to, you know, how to deal with a salesperson. That's a lot of things that these guys aren't ready for. And then I'll be, This fall I'll be doing one with, you know, over real theory. I, I think these guys need to know just as much as you and I do. I mean, you never know if, if you might be behind a grinder, right? So it's, I think having that, having that in your, in your, uh, toolbox is definitely worth it. So it's, I think it's an idea that's getting, getting bigger, but still, still needs more work though.
Trent Manning:Well, and hopefully, uh, I'm not gonna get in trouble for saying this, I don't think I will. But, uh, Georgia chapter at our annual meeting, the, our chair, a superintendent that's on the educational committee, uh, he set through Mike Ryland's class in Orlando. The line is king and he loved it. And getting Mike to come and talk to the superintendents, and I think that's good because
Danny McConnell:Absolutely.
Trent Manning:of those people do not understand it at that level. Yeah, they this is a real, that's a bad knife, but they don't much more than that. So the more those guys,
Danny McConnell:the. better off. Yep. Absolutely. I had, I had that same, thing happen to me last, uh, last fall in Indiana. I was doing, doing a seminar, you know, like we do, and the the director sat through it and he is like, man, he goes, I had to have have you back for our actual superintendent's meeting. He goes, I, that's, I think that's stuff that we all need to know. And I mean, it's the same. And, you know, we try to invite those guys, you know, when we, when we build these seminars, you know, bring, bring your assistants, bring your superintendent. I mean, bring your, you know, bring whoever you can. And a lot of times, you know, they don't think it, you know, obtains to them, but it really does. I mean, we, we talk about everything that, you know, and I think it helps them with the relationship with their equipment manager too. You know, just why we do what we do and why they do what they do and how it comes together. Right.
Trent Manning:for sure. And that's, I mean, I'm fortunate that my director of agronomy has a good understanding. He's been doing it for 35 years, so he should, but I do go in his office and talk real theory because he gets
Danny McConnell:Right,
Trent Manning:on property that gets it.
Danny McConnell:right.
Trent Manning:So, you know. if you're the only one there that gets real theory and what's going on there, you know, who do you bounce ideas off of?
Danny McConnell:Exactly. Yeah.
Trent Manning:the real turf tech community and you're welcome to, uh, bounce Ideas and that group, and there are a lot of knowledgeable people there. But, before you know, that was started, you know, you call the guy down the road, maybe, you know, I don't know.
Danny McConnell:Yep. Yep.
Trent Manning:it, it's nice having, uh, somebody on your, on your team that, uh, gets it too.
Danny McConnell:It is. Yep, it does.
Trent Manning:What is your favorite tool?
Danny McConnell:You know, probably years ago I would've had a better answer for this you know, cuz um, obviously tools are really, uh, what we use now is what's, what's in the shop, right? So I would say that my favorite tool right now is, uh, That Milwaukee 90 degree impact. So that angle impact they got and uh, I'll, I'll tell you why. Um, I did some term of support a few weeks ago at at Frisco with Bob Bob Smith. We just don't know what his real, real name is yet, but we it's Bob Smith. So, and he's got every Milwaukee thing that you can think of. I mean, stuff I didn't even know that made. I mean, just, and he is got, and he had a couple of these, and I, I loved it. I wish that it. Back when I was in a shop that I don't even know if we had'em then how they were now. I mean, just for adjusting reels, setting, setting things. I mean, it just makes your life so much easier, you know? And, and really I'll, I mean, I'll do two since maybe that one's not, you know, fully, but I, I, I know it's been touched on here a lot, but it's definitely your phone. I think there's a lot out there. I mean, it's a, it's a double-edged sword, right? There's a lot of stuff out there that can get us in trouble, but there's a lot of wealth of information that. We can get, I mean, with the, with the WhatsApp group like you were talking about, and on Twitter, and I mean, just calling, calling us, you know, calling people that we've made the connection with and just, I think we're all out here to help each other, so I, I, I think that's another, another important one too.
Trent Manning:I've said it once and I'll say it again. That's my favorite part about this industry is the community we
Danny McConnell:Absolutely.
Trent Manning:and I know personally a technician that. You can call and they would not help you.
Danny McConnell:No, no. We're out here helping each other.
Trent Manning:mean, we're, we're all kind in, in this Yeah and and it don't matter, you know, red, green, blue, orange, I mean,
Danny McConnell:No, we're, at the end of the day, we're all trying to do same thing. I mean, we're just, and, and really with, you know, these seminars and probably with your, your chapter meetings at. It's getting these guys together, you know, and figuring out that, you know, this guy was 10 miles down the road, but I've never, never met him before. You know, and they get to, they make that connection and then all of a sudden, you know, they're, if they need help, they can go to each other. It's, uh, it's, it's awesome actually. I've, I've done, I really enjoy it, you know, seeing these people get together like
Trent Manning:Oh yeah. And well, and just not long ago we got a John Deere Walker and they just, as, it was a demo, but it was really just a, a used unit that they dropped off and said, here, use this. And I needed, I needed bed knife for it, and we wanted to use it right away. I didn't have a bed knife sitting on the shelf.
Danny McConnell:Yep.
Trent Manning:uh, so I called Chris Lewis down at East Lake. I said, Hey, you got, you know, I gotta know he's got those, like, you got an extra I'll get you back. And he's like, oh yeah, come on by. You know? So just little things like that, knowing you know certain situations like
Danny McConnell:Yep. Definitely.
Trent Manning:Well, what do you do to relax or find your balance?
Danny McConnell:I would say, I mean, just any time with my family. I mean, I do a lot of traveling, so when I'm home it's all about them, you know? And just, you know, my son baseball, and then, you know, projects around the house with the wife, or we do some traveling as well. I mean, just, just the thing, the normal things really, I mean, Um, when, when it's football season, obviously sports and we, we do a little fishing, probably not like what, what you do, but, you know, we, we throw a line in every once a while, but in but,
Trent Manning:do, do smoke any meat?
Danny McConnell:know, I've been known once in a Every while.
Trent Manning:a
Danny McConnell:Every once like, you know, maybe every Saturday and
Trent Manning:That's awesome Yeah. So what was the place we went? Was it like crazy eights or, it was
Danny McConnell:Yeah, I think it was crazy. Eight. Yeah, pretty sure it was. Yeah, it is. It is. And, and I'm surprised, I mean, you know, obviously Texas Barbecue is its own, so I, I'm always interested to see what, yeah, I know. Even in Georgia it's a little bit different what, you know, some guys don't like it, some do. I mean, how we do it here, I don't, yeah, I think it's just different. Right.
Trent Manning:Yeah. I would say here in Georgia, it's kinda a mix between Memphis, Kansas City. And even the Carolinas, cuz some places you can find vinegar base barbecue. Um, but I would say Memphis probably has a bigger pull on it. Um, we don't like it. Super sweet. Or I say, I say we Georgia. I mean, I, I, I like sweet I, I got a sweet but yeah, some of the stuff you get like Kansas City, it'll rot your teeth out. Sweet.
Danny McConnell:Oh, oh yeah,
Trent Manning:that's definitely how I like my sweet tea. I mean, if I'm not gonna go into a
Danny McConnell:and me both.
Trent Manning:know, why, sweet
Danny McConnell:Yeah. I, I'm, I might add sugar to it then
Trent Manning:Well, what, what's been your biggest challenge in the industry to date?
Danny McConnell:I think my biggest challenge, and I don't even know if it's a real challenge, but just I think trying to figure out more ways to support our industry. I'm just, I, I'm in the, I'm in the right place now to do that, but still just trying to, know, figure out what, what else we can do, what, what are other things that we can do to make all of us better? I think, So know, I dunno if I call that a challenge or maybe just. You know, what, what I wanna do or what my next is. But that's, yeah, that's what's been on my mind for a while now, is just, know, how, how can we do better altogether? So,
Trent Manning:it. No, that, I mean, that's really good. And I don't, I had this conversation, uh, actually the episode that's dropping Wednesday with Greg Womble and he said it really good uh, we're really good at getting stuff started. And we suck at through,
Danny McConnell:That's right.
Trent Manning:and I'm so guilty of that. I have all these great like, oh, I need to do this, I need to do that. But, making it happen, that's, that's a whole nother
Danny McConnell:two different things. Yep. Two different
Trent Manning:we're doing a podcast right now. mean that's
Danny McConnell:Well, we'll see if it, we'll see if it finishes, you know,
Trent Manning:Yeah. Hopefully gets released. it I want to tell you about a great product that I've been using task tracker. I know what you're thinking. Task trackers for labor. But I'm here to tell you is also an easy to use equipment maintenance platform. Employees can scan QR code and send notes about the condition of equipment. And the equipment can be assigned to employees. Making the more accountable. I encourage you to reach out to Jamie and Gerald. The founders of ASB task tracker. At ASB task, tracker.com to schedule a demo and see how easy the platform is to use. Again, That's ASB task tracker.com. Let's get back to the episode What, uh, do you have a mentor in the industry or some, some people that mentored you when you were in
Danny McConnell:yeah, I mean, I, I would say at, you know, my younger days I had a, a couple superintendents that kinda, and honestly, they, they were mentors, but also I feel like they taught me not how to live life, if that makes sense. I mean, I, I started with a lot of old school. Superintendents that were, you know, several wives through their, you know, with different marriages and, you know, the old school of just living, living life at the golf course. You know, so that, that kind of taught me there's gotta be a balance, right? There's gotta be some separation from. From the course, but also, I mean, they, they, they all supported me on moving on too. So I've never had anybody that, I mean, of course they wanted me to stay, but at the same time they, you know, they wanted me to improve. And they're all still contacts now today and still people I keep in touch with. But, as far as on the mechanics side or on the equipment manager side? Not, not really. I guess I've just, I think, I think I just respect everybody and so I learn and what, what's cool about my job now is get to spend my so much time with. Equip managers everywhere, right? I mean, anywhere from Florida to California to anywhere in between. So I feel like, in a way, they're all mentors to me. Cause I get to learn a little bit how they do things and you know, how they're different than each other. And I, I, that's probably the, the best thing or what I really enjoy. So,
Trent Manning:I, could No, I that. Yeah, for sure. And yeah, spending so much time with different people and, you know, we're all doing the same thing.
Danny McConnell:it is,
Trent Manning:bit
Danny McConnell:Yep. Exactly. It's, it's neat. It really
Trent Manning:No, that's, that's really cool. I'm, I'm a little envious of, uh, that aspect.
Danny McConnell:Well it's, it's nice cuz if I ever miss the shop, that's enough time for me. I'll spend, you know, in the shop and then a breakdown. I'm like, all right guys, I'll see you. I'll see y'all
Trent Manning:right. That's
Danny McConnell:You know?
Trent Manning:yeah, for Oh And I mean, for the listeners, go volunteer too. If you got, got to volunteer at a, a course, a tournament, whatever. I mean, even if it's somebody's member, guest tournament, the guy down the road or whatever, go, you know, go help'em out because you, you'll get way more out of, than
Danny McConnell:There's a lot of value, a lot of value out of it.
Trent Manning:you put in. For sure. Well, what would be your dream job or opportunity? Are you living it?
Danny McConnell:I think so. Yeah. I think this is what, where I want to be and what I wanna do. So yeah, I think I'm. I think I'm there right now,
Trent Manning:no, I
Danny McConnell:I think it's been said by a lot, but, but I'm gonna say it
Trent Manning:it's all good man Yeah. Do you have a technician you wanna work with for a day?
Danny McConnell:I wouldn't mind working with you.
Trent Manning:Come you're No,
Danny McConnell:Well, I mean, I know I am. I know I.
Trent Manning:Yeah, come by for on sure. Yeah, if you're ever in the Geo Georgia area, I know Chris usually, uh,
Danny McConnell:Yeah, he's, he is usually over on that side. I'll have to catch him on a vacation something.
Trent Manning:You need to, uh, tell him to go on vacation and you can come to East Lake
Danny McConnell:you go. he, well, he tells me how much fun that one is. I don't think he'll ever give that one
Trent Manning:no, is. It's, it's, it's of a lot fun for sure.
Danny McConnell:But no, I mean, I, I, I get to work with so many, so many that I know on online and offline. I, I think, I think I'll, I'll get to work with'em all hopefully at some point.
Trent Manning:hopefully Yeah.
Danny McConnell:you know
Trent Manning:what do you know now you wish you'd known on day one?
Danny McConnell:that change is okay. So I've, I've done a lot of change in, uh, this career. I don't think I ever would've thought I've done or would end up where I'm at now from where I started and, you know, when I first started or, you know, got into my first job or, or a job after school rather, you know, you thought that was it, right? That's where you were gonna stay just like everybody else there. 30 years and, and that's it. But, you know, had. I think I've learned now that change is okay. That it's, you know, okay to want more or maybe go after more or, you know, just do more for yourself and others too. So it, yeah, I think that, yeah, I think that's what
Trent Manning:I
Danny McConnell:I would
Trent Manning:No, I mean awesome and I can definitely relate because you know, when I got into this, I started on the crew and worked my way up to head mechanic and I was. Too young, honestly, to be, uh, the guy in charge and thought I had it all figured out, but I didn't. Um, I got bored. I, I thought, you know, oh, got this figured out. You know, this ain't no big deal. And I mean, I didn't know of what I know now, and I still ain't got But, uh, moving on and doing some different things. Has helped me so much and going back to the golf course and doing the exact same thing. I shouldn't say the exact same thing cuz we do it a lot different now than
Danny McConnell:It's
Trent Manning:mid Um, but at the time that's all I knew and I thought that's, this is it. No big deal. you But when really start getting in the rabbit holes and figuring some of this stuff out or trying to figure it They can still stay fun and entertaining.
Danny McConnell:I agree.
Trent Manning:You got any advice on how you deal with that person in a positive manner?
Danny McConnell:Kill my kindness,
Trent Manning:Kill'em with kindness?
Danny McConnell:Yep. Yep. I, I've always, uh, I don't know, I think that's how I was raised, but, I will forever be known as the person that'll smile till the end. Right. So I mean, that just, you know, and if they don't, you know, even if that doesn't work at, at least you know that you tried. Right. That, that you, that was, you know, your attempt. I just don't get ever get to their level, you know, just, you
Trent Manning:No,
Danny McConnell:to stay above it. Right? Yeah,
Trent Manning:Easier said than done for me personally, but,
Danny McConnell:it is.
Trent Manning:uh, But, uh, some, some people can do that and I don't. I try, but I don't, sometimes it just doesn't come across that way.
Danny McConnell:Yeah. Yeah.
Trent Manning:Get ready for tips and tricks. What kinda tips and tricks you got, you wanna share with us that you've seen over the years?
Danny McConnell:I think the, the tip I've, I've seen a lot lately is don't be afraid to lean on your, uh, beyond your distributors. Right? So don't, don't be afraid to. If you have issues, actually reach out to them, cuz you'll be surprised what they actually will do for you. I've, I've, I've heard, you know, I've seen a lot, especially in the last few years, they're, we just quick to blame, but we never even tried to talk to them. Right. Try to work them. So I, I think, uh, I mean, trying to just, and maybe that goes back to the, the, the tool thing too with, uh, your contacts. But just try to, you know, reach out to people for help instead of either putting it to the corner or just. Chalking it off to an issue. Maybe just, just work with them. So I've, I've, I've seen that a lot lately. Just especially, you know, having the opportunity myself to work with so many different distributors too, same time. I mean, they, they all want to help people just like everybody else. They want to be a part of the, how to solve the issue, how to solve the problem. So I, yeah, don't be afraid to call people. I, I, I mean, I, I don't know if that's a tip or not,
Trent Manning:I, No, think
Danny McConnell:be my tip, you know?
Trent Manning:it's a tip or not, but that's really good for sure. And whether it's a distributor or somebody you know, in the industry, I mean, like we were talking earlier, we're all willing to help you out.
Danny McConnell:Absolutely.
Trent Manning:distributors have so much more resources than most of us do.
Danny McConnell:They do. They do.
Trent Manning:Deere or Toro or Jake, whoever, um, they can call and talk to somebody that knows, and you can't call and talk to them directly.
Danny McConnell:Exactly.
Trent Manning:I mean, this, it, I even, you know, I worked for the Toro distributor for a couple years, and all the guys that I knew at Toro, for the most part, are gone. I still know a couple of them, but you know, unless you have somebody like that and your contact, you gotta work through your distributor. But they, they those resources. They can open ca open cases up on issues you're having and.
Danny McConnell:right.
Trent Manning:not only are you gonna help yourself, but you might help some people down the road. Cuz like when I worked for Toro distributor, that's the way it was. Once they got so many uh, cases, that's when they would come up with a recall or rework or whatever you wanna call
Danny McConnell:They, they can't fix it if they don't know, know, there's anything wrong it. Right. with
Trent Manning:Yep, exactly right. And I remember, yeah, me and Corey Phillips, um, we were calling each other all the time and saying, oh, I'm finding this on a 31 50. know, whatever it is. And we've under warranty because I mean, we're to help the customer out. We don't want that to fail, you know, uh, six months after it goes outta warranty. Let us fix it now.
Danny McConnell:yep,
Trent Manning:sorry, Toro let you foot the bill. You know, I mean, this is kind part of it.
Danny McConnell:right.
Trent Manning:What's the strangest thing you've seen at work on the golf course? Any good stories
Danny McConnell:yeah, I mean, you were, you were a road tech, so I'm sure you've seen a lot of interesting things too. But I had to call, I think it was probably when I first got into, into the field Tech four, um, a guy took a delivery of a new triplex and he's about four hours south of my house. So as far as my territory went to the south, and, uh, Got a call, got a thing put in that he, uh, his machine just quit out on the golf course we're, you know, since it was just delivered, we're gonna scramble and, and try to figure it out, you know, so we did a little bit of diagnosis over the phone and figure out there's a no start issue, deals like that. We get down there or I get down there and it's out, out of fuel, empty. And I asked the gentleman, I go, I go, you're, you're out of diesel? And he's like, well, I can't be. And I'm like, why not? And he's like, well, my other one used to make it this far. And I go, what do you mean? He goes, well, I can mow this far and not be outta diesel or outta fuel yet. He goes, so that can't be right. And I go, well, you are So I mean it and that, and from then on I've kinda learned, you know, or especially during the, those, those times what questions I ask people, right? I mean, what, even if it seems like a, a dumb question or they're gonna fight you on it. Like, you gotta start the basics, right? Don't overthink it, you know, it. Blowing fuse, I mean fuel, I mean, anything like that. Um, yeah, it's, you name it,
Trent Manning:yeah. I kind of, I guess, developed a, a spiel I would give whoever I was talking to at the course of. You know, we have to check this and you know, I know it's probably got gas in it, but we, know, we need to
Danny McConnell:gotta start. Yep,
Trent Manning:is just where we gotta start. And I've had this happen before people run outta gas know, so you try to not feel as. Bad. Um, but I mean, you, you gotta start there with, with the basic stuff. I I, say that and I'm, I'm still guilty when a fly mow comes in sometimes and I pull on it three or four times let's see if it's got gas in it.
Danny McConnell:right? I think, I think we're always guilty of overthinking it, right? Always looking at the worst possibility and then going backwards, but.
Trent Manning:I
Danny McConnell:That's why I like
Trent Manning:I
Danny McConnell:This industry humbles though, too, at the time. at those things. I mean
Trent Manning:Yeah, I've, uh, personally been working this last year on not talking down to myself. Like I have pretty whole life with negative talk and uh, it's really hard at the golf course cuz you know, do humbled so much, um, from time to time. But anyway, you made me think of this story, and I don't remember if I've told it before or not, but we had this young kid, and I don't, you know, he, he was probably 20 and he's on his knees in a golf cart reaching into the bed and I pull up, I'm like, what's going on? You're having some issues. Nope. Like, is, is, and he had a backpack blower in the back of the car. I was like, is there something wrong with that blower? And I'm like, well, what are you doing? You know, I'm trying to figure out what
Danny McConnell:Yeah. Yeah.
Trent Manning:And he said, it won't take gas. And I said, what? What do you mean it won't take gas? I don't understand. And he said it won't take gas, so, and he has two gas cans. One of'em is completely empty and the other one's got a few ounces of gas in it. And so I take it out and I turn it up and the gas starts coming out and it's going into the blower. And he's like, oh, I didn't you had to turn it up that far. this kid is 20 and he does not it's I mean it's
Danny McConnell:It is. It is. Yeah. That's, and that's the question. I mean, was he lucky that he hadn't, didn't need to know that till now or, not? I don't know. I
Trent Manning:know. mean, I I think we could take any technician, no, no matter how long you've been in the industry, and they would understand the concept of gravity.
Danny McConnell:Yeah, I would think
Trent Manning:think,
Danny McConnell:Yeah.
Trent Manning:Yeah, I don't, it's just amazing. Yeah. I had, uh, one kid just think of these stories now. He pulls a gator into the shop, parks it, and gets on another gator. So I like cha, you know, chase him down. I'm like, is there something wrong with that gator? He says, outta gas. Like, okay,
Danny McConnell:Yeah, we got, we got a guy for that
Trent Manning:Yeah. Yeah. It's, it's crazy. Some of see
Danny McConnell:Well it's, it's amazing how, you know, you think you've seen it all and then the next day it just, no. Haven't seen it all yet. Um, you know, I, I had a, I had a kid that, so what was, what was cool about a and m and being at the campus course? So we had a lot of college kids that worked there. So we got to experience a lot of interesting young men and women and where they were in their life, in their twenties and, and, uh, yeah, every day was a new day for them, even if they were there for six months. And I had a kid come in one time and he is like, Hey. He goes, I got something wrong with my, uh, we had two 20. And he is, I got something wrong with my walk mower. And I go, I go, what's going on? He's like, well, I'm not getting any grass. And it's extremely fast. Like he goes, it's faster than I ever remember being. I'm like, okay. So we, he left the, he left it out in the hole. So we went out there and I go, show me what we're talking about. And he, and he starts and sure enough, he is mowing with the transport tires on and he is sprinting to keep with it, you know, and we take the tires off. He's like, oh yeah. I'm like, man, this, I mean, and the thing is, you can't, you can't get angry, you know, you can't get upset with that. I mean, let's not gonna anything. Right? fix just, you just chalk it up to. Another, another deal. But, but yeah, I, I had another one come in one time and we, and I think the superintendent was out that day and he was filling in a, a job application and two things surprised me. One, he didn't know the social security number, you know, his mom knew it, but he didn't know it. And, and the second thing was the, uh, there was a, a portion to write in how long you've been at your current address or at this current address. And he put in 10 minutes. and he was talking about where he was at that moment, you know, so that
Trent Manning:Oh,
Danny McConnell:that's not even even golf related, but still, never know what you're gonna see.
Trent Manning:no, you don't. And I, I had this, uh, conversation the other day. I was really fortunate to, I think, anyway, to grow up in a rural part of North Georgia. you know, And I grew up, you know, I didn't grow up on a farm, but. My, my best friend's dad cut all the hay in our area, so I have, you know, I got a lot of experience being around some equipment and and trucks and, you know, all those things. And most of the kids that we hire now at the golf course, I mean, no idea on, you know, any of that.
Danny McConnell:No, no. And it's amazing that, I mean, first time using a weed eater or a mower, or. Anything. Yeah. I mean,
Trent Manning:Yeah. So, uh, you, you gotta start real basic
Danny McConnell:you do. You do.
Trent Manning:all the training thing. And I do think that is a very important aspect to any golf course maintenance operation is the training program. more the time you spend with the individual working on it, coaching them, helping them out,
Danny McConnell:Yep.
Trent Manning:better off you're gonna be and the better off your gonna
Danny McConnell:Yep. Well, and I think it, it makes that relationship too, where they're not gonna be maybe as afraid to come to you with issues too. So, I mean, the, you know, I'm sure you've had happen to you and it happened to me so many times. You next morning there's machines put away broken. You know, they don't wanna tell you, you know, and that, you know, it, you, we need to know, obviously, to fix it. But I think that helps you know, that they maybe feel more comfortable than, you know, we. Depending on what it is, you might need to bring some donuts in tomorrow, but we'll figure that out. But
Trent Manning:When a I had I had a guy tell me the other day. He said, oh, did you know about this on the roller? I'm like, if there's anything that's not working like it's supposed to, I don't know about it.
Danny McConnell:Right,
Trent Manning:yeah, maybe somebody told me three weeks ago when I was in the middle of something and I didn't write it down or, you it in the
Danny McConnell:yeah, it happens. Oh
Trent Manning:all the time too. So, yeah, keep, keep bringing us those information and, uh, we'll, eventually get it fixed because I want a hundred percent of my equipment to be a hundred percent ride or efficient. even And though that is hard this time of year. That's how we wanna run it.
Danny McConnell:Right, right.
Trent Manning:were you ready to do some rapid fire questions?
Danny McConnell:Yeah. Let's do it.
Trent Manning:We, we already kind of covered this, but what's your favorite movie?
Danny McConnell:Top Gun.
Trent Manning:The first one or the second one?
Danny McConnell:I knew you were gonna ask me that. I'm, you know, I'm gonna say Maverick, I'm gonna have to say
Trent Manning:was. It I agree. I I saw it too. I, you know, I loved the first one and all the, the eighties nostalgia
Danny McConnell:Right, right.
Trent Manning:but this last one was really, really
Danny McConnell:I don't think there's a sequel that's ever been like it. Like they, they completely did it justice. I mean, yeah, it's good.
Trent Manning:What would be your last meal?
Danny McConnell:I'm gonna go basic and old school, but reverse seared steak and potatoes
Trent Manning:Okay. All love nothing wrong with that. Any day of the
Danny McConnell:That's right. I, I have a lot of last meals apparently.
Trent Manning:what are you most proud of besides your family?
Danny McConnell:I would say probably just where I'm at right now, career-wise, I, I'm really proud of, you know, just where I'm at, but also what I, what I try to do for the industry, what, you know, what I do to try to help it or try to make it better or just be a part of it in any way. So I think, yeah, I'm just. I'm proud of this being part of this awesome industry. I, I thoroughly enjoy it. So that's, It might sound
Trent Manning:no, it's not it's not, and yeah, I don't know why I'm gonna say this, but, uh, you know, growing up as a kid, I was taught that you had to be, Somewhat macho, you know, not my dad. He wouldn't necessarily macho, but I mean, he would definitely look down on me if I cried, you know, about anything, know, and I'm five years old, you know, Quit crying, I'll give you something to cry about. You know, all those things. And I think that has really changed over the years and a lot more acceptable. To others.
Danny McConnell:Yep.
Trent Manning:so, yeah, I don't, I don't think anything's corny. It's the way you feel. And, I mean, uh, it's the way I feel too. I'm, I'm so proud of this industry and I'm proud of, you know, the community that's, uh, come together of technicians
Danny McConnell:Yep. I agree.
Trent Manning:helping each other. I, you know, I just want us. See it keep growing and getting better and you know and your help and I mean all everybody you know is, uh, a part of that, you know, is one of us that's making it all
Danny McConnell:it's definitely a group effort. Definitely a group effort.
Trent Manning:So, no, I appreciate you saying that for sure.
Danny McConnell:Yeah.
Trent Manning:you wanna tell the listeners how they can get ahold of you?
Danny McConnell:say Twitter's probably, uh, where I'm at the most, it's, uh, B c o, dmac, which is Bernhard Company, and DMAC was my high school So um, yeah, go there. I can give you my email, but it's, it's quite long. So
Trent Manning:they, they send can you a, DM
Danny McConnell:Yep, absolutely.
Trent Manning:did you pay football growing up?
Danny McConnell:Um, no, actually baseball. Baseball and basketball. Yeah.
Trent Manning:All right. Just curious. I don't
Danny McConnell:Yeah, no, I've, I've been asked that cuz I have a build
Trent Manning:that's Well, uh, yeah. I'm calling you out, but you're,
Danny McConnell:no. And if I grew up in Texas versus Illinois, maybe, you know, maybe I would've played football a little bit more. But yeah, where I was from, it wasn't the first sport like it is here
Trent Manning:Well, yeah. You would, uh, you wouldn't have stood in Texas. It was like, all right, you're gonna be guard,
Danny McConnell:Yeah. And that's it. Yeah.
Trent Manning:I remember, uh, I don't, I guess I, it was like eighth. No, it wasn't eighth grade. I was probably eight years old and I was too big to be a running back, so I was on the line. They had they had I think it was like 125 pounds. If you were over that, lineman be a
Danny McConnell:you, you're automatically on the line.
Trent Manning:on the
Danny McConnell:Nice.
Trent Manning:line. I was a little kid, fat really, really
Danny McConnell:No, it it was Husky. Mom said I was Okay. Husky
Trent Manning:That's good stuff. Thanks so much,
Danny McConnell:Yeah. Thanks for having me, Trent. Absolutely.
Trent Manning:been a blast and uh, I've really enjoyed it.
Danny McConnell:Yeah, me too.
Trent Manning:thank you so much for listening to the Reel turf techs podcast. I hope you learned something today. Don't forget to subscribe. If you have any topics you'd like to discuss, or you'd like to be a guest, find us on Twitter at Reel turf techs.