• Gary Kessener | President
• David A. Frechette | Vice President of Operations
• Thomas Dunlap | Project Manager
• John Dorer | Agronomic & Technical Support
• Scott A. Christensen | Service Manager | DAF Services, Inc.
• John Allen | Automation Specialist | DAF Services, Inc.
• Richard J. Young, Sr. | Sales Manager | DAF Services, Inc.
• Deborah Paulo | Office Manager | DAF Services, Inc.

Mr. Kessener is the founding principal of Black Stone Golf Construction, LLC. He earned his PhD in golf construction through practical and technical experiences over a thirty-five year career in the golf industry. Constructing developments around the globe, which were extremely daunting and unprecedented in scale and scope of work with rigid construction timelines and constraints. These ambitious golf projects never overwhelmed his ability to coordinate activities from concept to completion with a creative drive for excellence.

Early in his career, he worked with Southwest Growers and Landscaping as a construction supervisor responsible for all facets through completion. He mastered management skills while working for Golfplan, controlling construction activities on multiple projects throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, responsibilities included project cost estimating, development of technical specifications, project scheduling, assistance in procurement of materials, site inspections and coordination with diverse groups of developers, owners, engineers, architects, consultants and contractors. As the Architects Representative, he provided pre-construction liaison services to clarify all construction related issues between firms.

As the principal, Mr. Kessener’s primary focus with Black Stone Golf Construction, LLC, will be to coordinate with developers, owners, engineers and architects to provide a thorough site analysis, evaluating the logistics and feasibility of the project. He will assist the developer in realizing the greatest return on his investment through accurate cost estimating, realistic construction scheduling, and efficient construction practices. Black Stone Golf Construction, LLC, will combine a vast construction management knowledge with unique “in- house” capabilities to provide an unsurpassed level of experience and expertise, delivering a seamless construction process.
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Mr. Frechette has been involved in the fluid handling business for the “green industry” for the past 39 years. His expertise comes from years of fieldwork and hands-on experience in design, service and installation of residential, commercial, agricultural and golf irrigation systems. In 1970, Mr. Frechette purchased 110 service accounts from his failing employer and created Valley Sprinkler Service. With the ideal that he did not want to be just another parts replacement company, but with a true commitment to customer service, he set the groundwork for all his future success.

Mr. Frechette’s residential service business grew within three years time to well over 700 accounts. A close working relationship formed with the Toro distributor, and Valley Sprinkler Service stepped in for the challenge and became involved in the golf service business, repairing the mistakes of the original golf contractors. Over time the natural evolution was to install the system rather then to repair it; hence, the beginning of Irrigation Systems Inc.

Mr. Frechette installed over 100 golf projects, employing 47 full-time irrigation and service technicians in a 15-year period of time, in the New England and New York market areas. Many of these installations were inclusive of pumping equipment provided to the company by PSI of Dallas, Texas. In 1991, with a turn in the economy, Irrigation Systems closed their doors and DAF Services Inc. emerged- a sales and service distributor for pumping equipment. Today, having won numerous awards for sales and service with over 1400 units in the field and having represented both major pre-fabricated pumping companies; DAF Services takes great pride in their own in-house manufacturing of pumping equipment, retrofit controllers, SCADA systems, telemetry and complete water management systems; having supported many other service providers globally with our product line.
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Mr. Dunlap is a principal of Black Stone Golf Construction, LLC. Mr. Dunlap developed his management skills while working in the family business for twenty six years, managing the operation for twelve years including a large farming operation raising commercial vegetables, grain and dairy operations.

Mr. Dunlap began developing properties in 1978 with small residential subdivisions providing all facets of the process thru sales of properties. As Project Manager of Juliette Falls, working for Vikings, LLC, Mr. Dunlap responsibilities included the real estate acquisition, site development, permitting infrastructure and home construction for the 540 lot residential property with a 18 hole championship golf course ranked in the top ten new courses in the country. Tom has developed owned and managed several recreational, residential and commercial properties while residing in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Dunlap acquired many diverse management skills while working for a commercial construction supplier in sales and as a consultant to architects and engineers, writing specifications for commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, public facilities and government building from 1987 to 1999.

Mr. Dunlap diverse management skills further served to start a Long Distance phone company in 1987 and a medical transcription company in 1996, currently serving as director and stockholder, servicing clients throughout the United States. Tom further helped start a banking institution serving as director until merging and selling to FNB Corporation.

Mr. Dunlap served as airport manager of a local airport in Pennsylvania for seven years working to write and procure two grants, developed a twelve year plan for the airport, constructed a taxiway, reconstructed the runway, added new lighting and built three new hangers and a fuel farm. Tom as a advanced pilot started his own aviation business in 2001 and was chief pilot flying charters throughout the United States and Canada.

Mr. Dunlap is a current member of Dunnwoody/ Big Bear Fish and Game Club and sat on the board as land and game management director for eight years. Tom managed the property and wildlife turning the property into one of the premier hunting and fishing clubs in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Dunlap as Project Manager for Black Stone Golf Construction, LLC provides hands on management of projects, responsible for coordination of Client-Contractor-Architect site visits and meetings. Director of construction personnel and site administration budgets, schedules, material procurement and coordination of construction phases: guidance and coordination with Owners Representatives, Architects, Contractors and Consultants.
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Mr. Dorer is a principal of Black Stone Golf Construction,LLC. Mr. Dorer received his bachelor of history and political science from Bloomfield Collage, New Jersey. Mr. Dorer has actively been involved with the selling and marketing of fertilizer and crop protection chemicals for more than twenty eight years. Originally with USS Agrichemicals, John joined Moyer and Sons Inc and CoRon Corporation which evolved into Syna Tek Solutions.

Mr. Dorer was responsible for marketing CoRon, liquid controlled nitrogen both domestically and internationally. John expanded territories to include South East Asia, Australia and Japan and spent a consitrable amount of time abroad to grow the brand.

Mr. Dorer while at Moyer and Sons, now Syna Tek Solutions helped develop Ecotronics Injection system, manufacted and sold by Syna Tek for the past twelve years. Syna Tek continues to expand applications through fertigation, water quality and other injection systems.

Mr. Dorer personal involvement with Black Stone Golf Construction, LLC begins with participation in the development of the fertigation and pumping system in conjunction with DAF Services to provide technical support and agronomic support through the grow in process, by developing integrated programs to support the superintendents or farmers best management paretic’s to reduce overall cost and grow in time. John brings to all our projects a diverse history of successful project management experience.
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Scott brings to DAF Services over thirty years experience in the service business. He got his start at a young age as a snowmobile mechanic. He was employed for two years as a machinist operating Bridgeport, lathe, jig bore and surface grinders. He went on the road in 1982, installing and repairing automated label die cutting machinery. Then at Heidelberg Printing Press Company, he worked as an electrical technician working on pre-press, bindery and large printing equipment. Scott has helped to build a successful service department at DAF Services with an 80% plus market share in the Northeast Region for pump station service. Responsibilities at DAF Services range from sales, service calls and management of 12-15 service, installation and fabrication technicians.

Personally, Scott has been married for 17 years with 3 children; ages 20, 16, and 11. His hobbies include hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. And he also enjoys cooking, catering large dinner events to benefit Make-a-Wish Foundation.
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John has extensive background in automation and controls with over 20 years of experience in service and design. After completing a computer electronics course, John started out at Xerox Medical refurbishing and servicing X-ray image processing systems. He then moved on to Acceleron Inc., refurbishing and R&D of electron beam welding systems. Later, at Peabody Industrial he was involved with service, design and programming on electrostatic coating systems requiring extensive domestic and international travel. After the closing of Peabody Industrial, John teamed up with the engineering group and formed Electrostatic Coating Tech. for design, programming and R&D of electrostatic coating systems.

Since joining DAF Services in 2000 John has been deeply involved in all phases of the design process for DAF’S current product line. John and the DAF staff are able to offer turnkey project design from concept to completion utilizing a variety of control formats, wireless technology and data acquisition for irrigation and water management systems in the turf, ski and agricultural industries.
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Dick Young began his golf career in 1976 when he went to work for a local country club as a crew member after having spent many years there as a caddie.His enjoyment of working on the golf course led him to pursue and obtain a degree in Turfgrass Management from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture in 1978. Upon graduation, he moved to Westchester County where he worked on several crews.

His interest in irrigation systems, their design and installation, caused him to leave the superintendent’s side of the business and go to work for the local Toro irrigation distributor as the sales representative for Westchester County New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut. He remained in the irrigation industry working as a sales representative for many years. In the early 90’s, Dick then moved to the irrigation contracting business. He spent several years as a residential, commercial, and golf course irrigation contractor installing equipment for all major manufacturers.

In 1998 Dick decided to return to the irrigation distribution industry. He went to work for a distribution company based in Westchester County. He handled all of New England and New York, successfully introducing a new line of golf irrigation control systems.

In 2000, he joined the staff at DAF Services, Inc. as the outside sales manager. His knowledge of irrigation design and installation coupled with his golf course management experience allows him to find creative pumping solutions for many difficult situations. He continues to reside in central Massachusetts where he has also had a very successful 21-year career as a basketball official.
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Deborah has worked in the irrigation/golf industry for twenty-four years, beginning with Turf Products Corporation in 1985 through 1997. She started in the service department processing warranties for Toro products, then later moved into accounts payable and was promoted to accounts payable manager. Debbie was in charge of managing a large credit line, reconciling large vender accounts; management of all expenses accounts and worked closely with the Toro Company directly doing inventory counts while having a staff of payable clerks.

She then joined DAF Services in 1997, their 4th year in operation, to assist in the growth of the irrigation/pump repair company. Working alongside David Frechette, owner of DAF Services, Inc., they proceeded to create a framework for the company structure and develop and initiate a business strategy. This began with managing the office and a small group of three employees, continuing her training in human resources, setting up computer programs for DAF, as well as being involved with all the on-going projects at DAF Services. Over the years, the company has grown to 20 employees. Deborah’s duties as Office Manager have come to include many vital and varied functions, including hiring, oversight, scheduling and problem resolution with the staff, payroll facilitation, organizing travel arrangements, meeting and coordinating with the accountant regarding company finances and tax obligations, budgeting, maintenance of bank accounts and general ledger, setup and organization of the accounting department, job-costing and tracking, procurement of major office equipment, and managing company liability and health insurance accounts- among other things.

Personally, Deborah has been married for 18 years and has one son, age 6. She is very active in the elementary school in her town. As a family they enjoy skiing together, vacationing in Aruba, and supporting their son’s interests in soccer and karate.
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