McCord joins MPT as US turf market development manager

SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA —  Mustard Products and Technologies, Inc. (MPT) has hired Jay McCord as US turf market development manager to lead the launch of MustGro Invest Biological Nematicide. This natural product is manufactured from 100% mustard seed meal that is applied directly to the soil and used to control plant parasitic nematodes, including: root knot, lance, stubby root and sting. MustGro Invest will also control certain soil borne diseases such as Pythium, Phytopthora, Fusarium and Verticullium on established turf and ornamentals. McCord will be responsible for distributor sales, training and customer support for MustGro Invest, and will focus on its initial launch in Florida and throughout the United States.

“I am extremely excited to join the team at MPT and represent a proven product with broad spectrum control of nematodes and pathogens” said McCord. “The company has been working for over 10 years to develop the most effective product to bring to the turfgrass and ornamental markets.”

Jay has more than 25 years of experience in the turfgrass industry and has been focused in the biological nematicide business for the past five years. After completing his formal education at State University of NY in Alfred and The Ohio State University in Columbus majoring in Landscape Development and Ornamental Horticulture, McCord started his turf career with Nutri-Turf, Inc. (a subsidiary of Anheuser Busch) as marketing manager of the sod farm divisions. McCord then worked with ProSource One (now Winfield Solutions) as turf seed manager and national accounts. He was most recently employed by Pasteuria Bioscience as director of marketing and sales, and led the launch of the first EPA-registered Bionematicide called Econem, which was purchased by Syngenta last September.

McCord has been an industry leader and had been active in the Florida Turfgrass Association, where he served on the Board of Directors for 10 years and was association president in 2006-2007. He has volunteered on many industry councils and executive boards throughout his career. He resides in Jacksonville, Fla., with his wife, where he enjoys golf, organic gardening and Ohio State Football.