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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/101565
Most Influential People 2012 Most Influential People in the Green Industry G REEN MEDIA, a division of M2MEDIA360 ��� publisher of Landscape and Irrigation, Arbor Age, Outdoor Power Equipment and SportsTurf ��� is proud to present the 2012 selections for ���Most Influential People in the Green Industry.��� Green Media���s ���Most Influential People in the Green Industry��� were nominated by their peers for their ongoing contributions to the Green Industry. The professionals selected for this honor were chosen from throughout the Green Industry, and exemplify a commitment to the industry and a widespread influence on their peers. Green Media congratulates all of those selected to this year���s list of ���Most Influential People in the Green Industry.��� Tom Nielsen Head Groundskeeper, Louisville Bats Tom Nielsen, Head Groundskeeper at Louisville Slugger Field for the Louisville Bats AAA franchise, was nominated by another groundskeeper. Nielsen, recipient of the prestigious Sports Turf Managers Association George Toma Golden Rake Award for 2011, is known for his mentorship of many in the industry, but in particular students that pass through his outstanding internship program. Several of his assistants, crew members, and interns have gone on to notable careers of their own, including Jake Tyler, head groundskeeper for the Toledo Mud Hens; Chad Laurie, head groundskeeper for the Buffalo Bisons; Thomas Trotter, head groundskeeper for the Nashville Sounds; Steve Ruckman, head groundskeeper for the Richmond Flying Squirrels; Dan Blank, head groundskeeper for TD Ameritrade Park, home of the College World Series; and Ray Sayre, head groundskeeper for the Pensacola Wahoos, just to name a few. The nomination continued, ���However, his 40 SportsTurf | January 2013 ���teaching heart��� doesn���t stop with his staff and interns. He works tirelessly to convey the importance of sound maintenance practices to the administration, players, and fans in Louisville. The Toma award recognizes a member for a dedicated and enthusiastic attitude to achieve their highest goals. The award acknowledges a strong spirit of commitment to the industry. Nielsen has also won STMA���s Field of the Year in 2002 & 2004 and was named the International League Sports Turf Manager of the Year 2009. Green Media: 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 professionals? Nielsen: I influence other industry professionals��� everyday when I go to work because I love what I do. Both my words (enthusiasm) and actions (mentoring) influence others as I teach upcoming groundskeepers best practices. When you love what you do, it shows. Green Media: 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? Nielsen: My biggest contribution has been helping upcoming groundskeepers reach their professional goals. In the past 12 years, I have mentored 30+ employees who went on to continue working in the Green Industry as either head groundskeepers or assistants in professional baseball, universities, high school athletics and landscape companies. I am willing to help anyone interested in helping anyone interested in the green industry. I speak with several school and private groups every year. I plan to continue doing the same work mentoring and promoting the green industry in the future. Green Media: Who has influenced you both personally and professionally? Nielsen: My biggest personal influence is my parents, Ted and Gloria Nielsen, who instilled in me a great work ethic and desire to succeed. Professionally, it is George Toma. He taught me professionalism and the ���and then some��� attitude, which is doing your job as best you can plus some. Don���t settle for average. Another big influence was the late Gary Vanden Berg, former head groundskeeper with the Milwaukee Brewers, for giving me my start in sports turf management and being a positive role model. Green Media: Tell us something about yourself outside of work (hobby, sport or other personal interest) that influences your approach in your professional career. Nielsen: My hobbies are Civil War re-enacting, camping, mountain biking, running and swimming. These hobbies influence my approach in my professional career in many ways. The Civil War re-enacting makes me appreciate modern conveniences and the things I have. Camping helps me clear my head from work and gives me time with my family without having to run to the stadium to check on the field. My athletic pursuits help me stay in shape so that my job is easier to perform and [because I] appreciate my health. I urge my employees to find a balance between fitness, family and work in order to be at their best in all aspects of their lives. Green Media: What dreams do you have for the industry? What change(s) are necessary to make those dreams a reality? Nielsen: My dream for the industry is to help bring up the standards of groundskeepers, which will in turn bring us more respect and higher wages. This is accomplished by increasing expectations both in physical appearance and communications skills. We are all not a bunch of Bill Murrays from ���CaddyShack���! This is the stereotype that the general population thinks of when they think of the green industry and we need to work hard to overcome it. There are a lot of very intelligent, experienced professionals in our industry and we all deserve respect. Green Media: What advice do you have for green industry professionals who want to become influential leaders themselves? Nielsen: My advice is to work hard, stay enthusiastic, be open-minded to new ideas, techniques and [listening to] new young minds. Green Media: If you could nominate another person as the green industry���s most influential, who would that be, and why? Nielsen: Eric Fasbender at LSU and www.sportsturfonline.com