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/50965
GREEN MEDIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF 2011 Wightman, Minner lead 2011 selections for "Most Influential People in the Green Industry" them feel". I try to remind myself of this on a daily basis. Lynda Wightman G reen Media, a division of M2MEDIA360, recently named their "Most Influential People in the Green Industry" for 2011. The professionals selected for this honor exemplify commitment to the Green Industry, and have exhibited a widespread influence on their peers. From the sports turf industry, Lynda Wightman of Hunter Industries and Dr. Dave Minner of Iowa State were chosen. Dr. Minner is on sabbatical this winter so we will cover his win later. LYNDA WIGHTMAN, Hunter Industries Lynda Wightman, a strong proponent of education and supporter of STMA, is one of the most trusted and influential leaders in the sports turf industry. Her nomination read, in part, "Lynda is very deserving of this distinction. She has served on numerous turf and irrigation boards. She devotes countless hours towards training and education the turf professionals of the future. For the STMA she has been the driving force behind the student chal- lenge development and has assisted with other green industry student challenges." 8 SportsTurf | January 2012 SportsTurf: You were nominated by your peers as one of the most influential people in the green industry. How do you feel you that you influence other industry profes- sionals? Wightman: I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition. I have never re- ally thought of myself as an "influencer," but have always strived to help others make good decisions and feel good about their failures and accomplishments. A favorite quote of mine is by Maya Angelou, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made ST: What do you feel has been your biggest contribution to the green industry so far? And what do you see as your role in the future of the industry? Wightman: By working for such a fan- tastic company, Hunter Industries, I have been able to develop a network of friends who reach out to me for education, training, industry knowledge and reliable collabora- tion. Water conservation/management (irri- gation) is such an important topic, and it's not going away, so we have to learn every technique, program and process occurring today and in the future in order to be stew- ards of this valuable resource. I hope to con- tinue representing Hunter, and our industry, in every effort to support our entire cus- tomer base in any way possible; especially when it comes to efficient and knowledge- able irrigation practices. ST: Who has influenced you both per- sonally and professionally? Wightman: My mother, of course. She taught me to believe in myself and to always 2011 Most Influential People in Green Industry Dan Ariens, president and CEO, Ariens Company Mark Chisholm, arborist, climbing cham- pion, instructor and industry spokesperson, Aspen Tree Expert Co., Inc. Stephen Cieslewicz, president and chief consultant, CN Utility Consulting Tom Delaney, director of government af- fairs, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Bill Harley, immediate past president and CEO, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Kris Kiser, president and CEO, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute David Minner, Ph.D., professor, Depart- ment of Horticulture, Iowa State University Lynda Wightman, industry relations manager, Hunter Industries www.sportsturfonline.com