Watersmith Irrigation ownership changes hands

Nixa-based Watersmith Irrigation Co. has been purchased by Ryan Rook, son of Tom Rook, the founder of the residential and commercial irrigation company, for an undisclosed amount.

Tom Rook started the company in 1987, and has grown its commercial client list to include CoxHealth, Drury University, Hy-Vee Inc., several Walmart stores, Battlefield Marketplace and Farmers Park. Today, Rook said the company has 16 employees.

The move was prompted by the 2012 retirement of Tom Rook, according to Ryan Rook. He said he purchased the company in March 2012, some six years after he moved back to the Ozarks to work for his father. Tom Rook is also known locally for his work as a contractor through Rook-Knight Properties LLC.

“I worked for him going through school and ended up moving to Oklahoma for three years where I was a loan officer for Wells Fargo,” Ryan Rook said.

Since taking ownership of the company, at 1531 Commercial Road in Nixa, Rook said he has started a lawn treatment division and begun offering low-voltage outdoor lighting installation.

Watersmith’s hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with 24-hour emergency service, according to WatersmithIrrigation.com.