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/448298
2015 STMA PreSidenT 10 SportsTurf | February 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com could make an educated choice. "It mat- ters to me how our employers view us and our value to their organizations," says Johnson, adding that one of STMA's goals has been to raise the level of pro- fessionalism of the sports turf industry. "Our association can't go into your place of employment and make management respect you. You need to demonstrate your value. But, STMA can give mem- bers the tools they need," he says. These tools include continuing education programs on how to be better managers, how to communicate scientific prin- ciples to executives and so on. Johnson believes that STMA also took a big step forward when it hired a marketing communications firm to help increase general awareness about the value of the sports turf industry to target audiences, such as school boards, athletic directors, facility management groups, parent-teacher organizations. "As the sports field manager for the Green Bay Packers—a marketing and promotional machine—Allen brings his expertise from that franchise to STMA's public relations efforts," says Kim Heck, CEO of STMA. "I look to Allen to bring his great board skills to the presidency. He is always well-prepared for every board meeting and his style is insight- ful. He listens very well, but is not afraid to voice his opinions and respectfully disagree. This is what makes the STMA Board so energizing to work with, the vibrant discussions and the board com- ing to consensus on what is best for the association." David Pinsonneault served as STMA president in 2014 and will continue to serve on the board as immediate past president. He agrees that Johnson is straightforward. "You don't have to guess what he's think- ing." Pinsonneault's advice to the new president is to engage the STMA mem- bership. "We're fortunate to have very active members and we need to keep them involved with different commit- tees and task groups. Fortunately, Allen has great resources and a hardworking staff available to him." That staff includes Heck and her team at STMA headquarters as well as Johnson's three full-time assistants (Derek Paris, Bart Bartelme and Joel Hunt) in Green Bay. Paris has worked with his boss for almost all of Johnson's tenure with the Packers. Asked about Johnson's leadership style, Paris says, "Allen is very particular in everything he does at work or in his personal life. He is hands-on and puts 100 percent effort into everything he does. As far as motivating, it's hard for me to say. I feel that we, as his assistants, are self- motivated. Working for a prestigious organization like the Packers is all the motivation one needs to do a top-notch job at all times. Allen leads with this same belief." Johnson can poke fun at himself. Asked what factors go into some of his field management decisions, he says, "It's probably more my 'very particular per- sonality' than my job experience. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to the field." You can also get a sense of his humor watching the Coca-Cola commercial in which Johnson appeared during last year's Super Bowl (https://www.you- tube.com/watch?v=1eyj1qKksPs). Most people would brag about being featured in a national commercial like this, but Johnson was modest, never mentioning it to his peers, Pinsonneault says. During the interview for this article, Johnson also did not mention that the STMA named Lambeau Field its Field of the Year in 2009. Service to StMA Johnson's work on various STMA com- mittees has helped him to get more acquainted with fellow members, and to learn more about the association and what it is trying to accomplish. He has chaired the Awards Committee as well as served on the Scholarship and Membership Committees. He also has served as both secretary-treasurer and chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. The latter, says STMA's Heck, has provided Johnson "a com- prehensive understanding of the association's budget, its revenue streams and potentials. This helps in evaluating new programs and services that need funding." As president, Johnson would like to see STMA become more visible with the end user groups he mentioned earlier in this article: school boards, athletic directors, facility management groups and parent-teacher organizations. As outlined in his vision for STMA at www. stma.org, he also hopes the association will "make further strides in helping its members enhance their professional image. Our success depends upon being avid learners, building relationships within our organizations, and being able to communicate and influence these decision-makers. STMA can help us by providing the continuing education and resources to gain respect and succeed in our careers." ■ ST Lynn Grooms, Grooms Communications, is a Wisconsin-based freelance writer and a Green Bay Packers fan.