About Us

Since founded in 2006, Earth & Turf Reps has grown to become one of the most respected Erosion Control Manufacturer Representatives in the United States. We use our more than 75 years of experience in the erosion control industry to provide excellent support to distributors, contractors, engineers, inspectors, and bring these benefits to our manufacturers. Our knowledge and experience in the industry, our commitment to serving our customers, our extensive contacts with the engineering community, local, state, and federal government agencies make us a resource you can rely on.

Earth & Turf Reps plays an important role in numerous industries such as mining, landfills, pipeline, military, department of transportation, residential, and construction and maintenance projects. We are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to share with our clients in every aspect of the industries we serve and at every stage of project development from planning, design, bidding, and installation. Our mission is to ensure our clients have the best chance to get their products introduced, understood, properly installed, and achieve the intended results.

OUR TEAM

Austin Childers

President of Earth & Turf Reps

Austin Childers is President, Partner, and Territory Manger for Earth & Turf Reps. He has over 25 years of experience in agriculture, turfgrass, and the erosion and sediment control industry. Childers holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Clemson University in Agriculture Economics. He is a member of IECA and has completed sediment and erosion courses in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee; including TN-EPSC, and FL-Stormwater Management Advanced Inspector course. Childers has been a vendor, volunteer and attendee at Muddy Water Blues, NCSU Sediment and Erosion Control Field Days, UCF Stormwater Management Academy’s H20 Erosion Control Workshops, SC-IECA and IECA.

Glen Ballinger

Vice President of Earth & Turf Reps

Glen Ballinger is Vice President, Partner, and Director of Special Projects for Earth & Turf Reps. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Delaware Valley College and has attained the Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) designation. He is a member of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) and has been providing erosion control and turf management solutions on challenging projects on the East Coast of the US from Florida to Maine for more than 25 years. Ballinger has been a volunteer instructor at numerous industry events including the IECA’s Muddy Water Blues, NCSU’s Erosion Control Field Days, & UCF’s Stormwater Management Academy’s H2O & Erosion Control Workshop.

Robert Cobb

Territory Sales Manager

Robert Cobb serves as a Territory Sales Manager for Earth and Turf Reps. He has over ten years of experience in the agriculture and plant science fields. Robert holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education from Clemson University. He is also a member of the International Erosion Control Association. Robert works closely with distributors, contractors, engineering firms, and DOT’s all over the southeast to ensure the proper erosion control strategies are implemented.

Dusty Sweat

Equipment Sales Director

Dusty Sweat is the Equipment Sales Director for ETR Equipment. He has over 20 years of experience in the agronomy, turfgrass, landscape management, and erosion and sediment control industries. Growing up in southern Georgia around the family’s hay, cattle, and forestry operations planted the seed for Dusty’s passion and dedication to the outdoors. He later obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Georgia in Landscape Management with minors in both Turfgrass Management and Horticulture. While attending UGA, Dusty began his lifelong career in the green industry by gaining employment with the UGA Athletic Association caring for the turf and landscape at all UGA Athletic Facilities. He later worked for a national landscape maintenance and installation company in metro Atlanta and for a seed and erosion control distributor in the Southeast US before joining Earth and Turf Reps in his current capacity. Dusty was previously certified as a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional and GSWCC Erosion And Sediment Control Level 1A (Blue Card).

Carla Velasquez

National Retail Sales Manager

Carla Velasquez is the National Retail Sales Director for Earth & Turf Reps. With nearly 20 years experience in sales, management, customer service, and administration, Carla manages the Retail Lawn & Garden division of ETR. Fully dedicated to the success of our manufacturers, she manages their sales within the Independent , Key Account, National, Big Box Retailers, and eCommerce channels. Her priority and focus is meeting and exceeding the expectations of our manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in a way that’s visible through their profitability.

Mike Smith

Sale Representative

Mike Smith is a Sales Representative at Earth and Turf Reps. He brings his experience in sales and service along with his knowledge and training in the agriculture industry. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Mechanization and Business from Clemson University. He is also a member of the International Erosion Control Association. Mike works closely with our business partners and clients throughout all of Earth & Turf Reps' sales channels.