2015 Distinguished Alumni of the Year
Tim Hiers
The 2015 Florida Gateway College Distinguished Alumnus of the Year is Tim Hiers.
Tim graduated from Lake City Community College in 1976 with an Associate of Science in Golf Course Operations. He began his career in the Golf Landscape industry almost immediately, starting at the Suntree Country Club in Melbourne.
Since then, Tim has served as a golf course superintendent at Quail Ridge Country Club in Boynton Beach; Johns Island Club in Vero Beach; Collier’s Reserve Country Club in Naples; and, currently, at The Old Collier Golf Club, where he has served as the Director of Agronomy since 2000.
Since joining The Old Collier Golf Club, Tim has led the effort to achieve the designation of first Audobon International Gold Signature Cooperative Sanctuary. This project is the first in the continental United States to use the newer variety of Paspalum grass on the entire golf course and first in the world to irrigate solely with brackish water.
Throughout his career, Tim has received numerous accolades celebrating his success, including: the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association Distinguished Service Award; the John James Audobon Environmental Steward Award, of which he was the inaugural recipient; the GCSAA President’s Environmental Leadership Award; the Florida Turf Grass Association Wreath of Grass Award; and, most recently, the 2009 GCSAA Excellence in Government Relations Award, among others.
Tim remains active in industry organizations, serving on the Board of Directors for the Florida Turfgrass Association; a former chairman of the Fertilizer Research Fund for Florida Turfgrass Association & Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, among others.
Tim also has an active speaking career and this past year spoke in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala, and South Africa.
David Miller “Duke” Lang Jr.
The 2015 Florida Gateway College Distinguished Alumnus of the year is Mr. David Miller “Duke” Lang Jr. 
Duke graduated from the college in 1975 with an Associate of Arts degree. He went on to attend Florida State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Government in 1977. He later went back to school and received his Law Degree in 1994 from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, now known as Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.
Duke currently lives in Gilchrist County and serves as the county attorney for Gilchrist County as well as, the city attorney for the City of Trenton and the Town of Bell.
Duke has been very active in his community serving as Mayor and Commissioner for the City of Trenton; he has served as a Director on the Gilchrist County Chamber of Commerce, Sponsor of the Quarterback and Diamond Club in Trenton, President of the Gilchrist County A.A.R.P., has been an active supporter of Suwannee Valley Leagues, Inc., the Suwannee River Fair, Inc., the Education Foundation of Gilchrist County Inc., and is a member of the Gilchrist County Cattlemen’s Association. Duke was also named Gilchrist County Citizen of the Year in 2007.
Duke is married to Carol who is the office manager in his law practice. He has two children, Mill who is a senior at Trenton High school and Allie who is also an alumnus of the college who graduated with an AA degree before she graduated from Trenton High School, and at age 19 received her Bachelor’s Degree in Children and Family Science from Florida State University.
|
