SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/126035
ing to sponsor. I went through the testing process for graduate school. But I decided not to go, a decision that has stayed with me for a lifetime. I also decided should I become successful in my chosen career path, I would eventually participate in an association and give back to the industry. I worked various positions over the years: university grounds technician, park supervisor, golf course superintendent, landscape and nursery foreman, municipal arborist, and grounds manager. Fifteen years after I graduated from Montana State, I sought to fulfill the commitment I made to serve. I was elected on a board of directors for the Association of Montana Turf, Ornamental, and Pest Professionals (AMTOPP). I have served on the board ever since, including two stints as president. I didn't stop there. I serve on an advisory board for the state forester on an association called Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association, including a 2-year term as chair. This group assists with urban and community forestry issues in Montana. I am involved with both organizations www.stma.org because I believe in the members and what we stand for. I have learned what it takes to serve an association membership; to work with a board of individuals, all with different interests, desires, and ideas. In this capacity, I worked on education, state and federal legislation in industry matters, networking with other organizations, budgets, community volunteer efforts, industry promotion, committees, speaking engagements, writing articles, anywhere where I am needed. Five times during the 2000's, I went to Washington, DC on behalf of AMTOPP to participate in Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Legislative Day on the Hill and volunteer at "Renewal and Remembrance" on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. A few years ago, a good friend of mine, Dr. Robert Gough, associate dean of the College of Agriculture at Montana State, asked me to be a committee member on the College of Agriculture Academic Advisory Committee to discuss ways to enhance the agriculture industry which includes horticulture and the green industry. I am in my fourth year on this committee. Dr. Bob, as he was affectionately known, passed away of cancer not too long ago. Being in a leadership capacity drives one to do better and be a better example of our industry, as he was. Compassion for my work in the green industry has carried over to me in my employment. DEDICATION TO THE JOB In the late 90's, I was hired to be a grounds manager for Carroll College in Helena, MT. The college didn't have a full time grounds manager or a crew to work on grounds. Facilities personnel worked on the grounds with other duties besides grounds work. A nursery and landscape company served as a consultant for grounds operations. Student employees were frequently used with minimal direction and experience on day-to-day operations. I basically started the operations from scratch. My budget was small with no money to purchase equipment. I had a utility vehicle, a multi-purpose mowing unit, a Jeep with a plow, and a sanding truck. The college was undergoing construction on a SportsTurf 15