Our Team

After earning his AAS degree in Landscape and Nursery Management from SUNY at Alfred and serving in the Army National Guard, Jim started his career at Elbers. In 1980, Jim and his wife, Beth Ann, purchased the business. He and his son, Jim Hornung, Jr., also started Great Lakes Athletic Fields in 2003.

Over the course of his 45+ years in landscaping and athletic field management, Jim has held many notable positions, including:

• Head groundskeeper at Dunn Tire Park (now Sahlen Field) in Buffalo for 15 seasons 
• Head groundskeeper for the City of Buffalo Parks Department, which became Erie County/City of Buffalo
• Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Forestry
• Sports field consultant for World University Games, Marco Clay Products, Erie Seawolves, and SUNY Fredonia

In 1997, Jim was presented with the American Association Groundskeeper of the Year Award by Major League Baseball. In 2000, he received the Unity Award from Bayer Corporation and in 2007 he received the Citation of Merit Award from the New York State Turfgrass Association.