PGMS will co-locate their annual conference, Transform, with ELEVATE in Tampa and Anaheim, expanding education, the Expo, networking, and industry connections for both audiences

The Professional Grounds Management Society® (PGMS®) has announced that Mark Elingburg, CGM has become the 194th grounds management professional to successfully complete its Certified Grounds Manager (CGM®) program. Elingburg is employed at SSC Services for Education - Charleston County School District in North Charleston, South Carolina as the Grounds & Athletics Manager. He is also the President of the newly formed South Carolina branch of PGMS®.

PGMS: Why did you want to become a CGM?
Elingburg:  At the beginning of my journey toward obtaining my Certified Grounds Manager (CGM), I was seeking more than just a title and an acronym attached to my name. I was looking for recognition on a broader platform for my career development, accumulated experience, and depth of knowledge. With over 20 years of service in the green industry and my institutional education, I felt it was time to pursue formal accreditation that reflected the work I had poured into my profession.

Throughout the certification process, I was able to consolidate decades of hands-on experience into a comprehensive portfolio. This exercise not only validated my professional journey but also challenged me to reflect deeply on my growth and contributions. It was both humbling and eye-opening to test and then develop a document to potentially earn such a prestigious certification.

 
PGMS: How has the CGM program helped you further your career?
Elingburg:  Earning the status of Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) has given me a deeper sense of pride and confidence in my work. I know it will help broaden my presence and influence within the green industry by offering recognition on a more prestigious and respected platform. 

PGMS: What advice do you have for aspiring CGMs?
Elingburg:  Dig into it. Get through it. Don’t give up. The CGM process will challenge you, but in the best way possible. As you work through it, you'll begin to lay out all your years of experience, education, and on-the-job learning like a scattered puzzle on the table. And then, piece by piece, you'll start to put it all together. It’s a process of reflection, learning, and growth. It’s a humbling experience that reminds you just how far you’ve come.   

PGMS:  What do you feel is the biggest challenge green industry professionals are facing today?Elingburg:  Getting a seat at the table. Being included from the very beginning, valued for our expertise, and truly heard. Grounds management isn’t just maintenance; it’s foundational. We create, enhance, and complement the identity of a space whether it’s a building’s architecture, a campus, park, or greenspace. Our work sets the tone and presence for everything that follows.

PGMS:  What inspired you to pursue a career in the green industry?
Elingburg:  A multitude of experiences starting from my early childhood on into my teens and early 20’s. I had hard-nosed teachers as bosses in my early years, especially one that instilled in me “you will reap what you sow.”  I enjoy and have a passion for nature, plants, and the management of it…whether it is highly managed or left in its natural state…the soil, the sky, and everything in between is my true office. I get to curate and plan for its management in many avenues and depths in our industry.  

To learn more about how you can obtain the Certified Grounds Manager certification click here or e-mail us at info@pgms.org.

The Professional Grounds Management Society^® (PGMS^®) has announced that Richard Scutt, CGM has become the 192nd grounds management professional to successfully complete its Certified Grounds Manager (CGM^®) program. Scutt is employed at the George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

PGMS: Why did you want to become a CGM?
Scutt:  I am always looking for ways to advance in my role at George School. In 2016, I traveled to support our football team. I needed directions to the football field, so I sought out the school’s grounds building for assistance. The Grounds Manager and I ending up having a great conversation, where we compared notes and discussed the industry. This conversation was my first introduction to CGM and Grounds Manager, George Van Haasteren (CGM #35), inspired me to pursue this designation.

 
PGMS: What inspired you to pursue a career in the green industry?
Scutt:  At 12, I saw a neighbor doing landscaping and it fascinated me. Thirty-seven years later, I'm still passionate about it. 

PGMS: What advice do you have for aspiring CGMs?
Scutt:  Start now—there's a supportive community to help. The CGM designation can distinguish you from others.   

PGMS:  How did your mentor help you along the way?
Scutt:  My mentor was always available via email for guidance throughout the year-long process. 

PGMS:  What challenges have you faced in your professional career that helped you through the CGM process?
Scutt:  I see challenges as opportunities for creative solutions. Collaborating with volunteers, teachers, and students introduces young people to the industry and helps with staffing and scheduling. 

PGMS:  How do you see the future of the grounds industry?
Scutt:  The future will increasingly focus on sustainability, covering aspects such as operations, irrigation, IPM standards, and proper plant installation. 

To learn more about how you can obtain the Certified Grounds Manager certification click here or e-mail us at info@pgms.org.

Moler: Having a CGM distinguishes your professionalism in this field.  

PGMS:  What inspired you to pursue a career in the green industry?
Moler:  I started working on a golf course at 16 and loved working outdoors. 

PGMS:  What advice do you have for aspiring CGMs?
Moler:  Have a sense of passion.  You can learn everything you need about budget, plants, turf, trees, irrigation and more but having a passion for those will give a true foundation for this industry.

PGMS:  What do you feel is the biggest challenge green industry professionals are facing today?
Moler:  Recruitment & Retention.  During and post COVID-19 multiple industries have faced employee shortages, poor work ethic, and lack of motivation.  The green industry was no different but we have seen a slight rebound in recent months!

Moler:  Working for a local municipality with a tight budget can be difficult.  This however has helped to ensure we are good stewards of the tax payer’s money and allows us room for innovation. 

PGMS:  In your opinion what advantage does having industry designations like the CGM give professionals?
Moler:  It can give us an edge when talking with project managers, consultants, and even citizens when explaining the needs of landscape material or green space.   

PGMS:  What are your favorite aspects of working in the green industry?
Moler:  My current role allows us to do landscaping for many high visible traffic features, impacting citizens and the community on a large scale. 

To learn more about how you can obtain the Certified Grounds Manager certification click here or e-mail us at info@pgms.org.

This accreditation process and subsequent follow-up measures combine to exemplify a commitment to continuous improvement. The PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation is initially awarded for three years. An accredited facility must then seek to be re-accredited through a mandatory update report provided by the organization that verifies the continuing conformance to best practices and the adherence to the principles of the accreditation.

“The Penn State Hershey Medical Center team continues to exemplify excellence in grounds and facilities leadership by developing innovative sustainability methods that enhance the hospitals’ grounds. Additionally, the team’s collaborative efforts with the local township in composting and processing green waste gives back to the local community and in one area, resulted in zero landfill disposal for the municipal solid waste,” stated Michael Loftus, CGM, PGMS Accreditation Committee Chair.

The PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation program is a dynamic evaluation tool designed to be used by facilities and organizations that have a landscape services or grounds component. Through peer expertise, the program evaluates strategic grounds management principles and practices that produce and guide the delivery of properties to an attractive, healthy, sustainable and high quality state. The accreditation focuses on three categories: environmental stewardship, economic performance, and social responsibilities. The program has four levels of accreditation (1, 2, 3 and 4–star.) It is designed to not only recognize excellence but to provide a means by which facilities can measure growth and improvements in meeting the goals of best practices. For more information on the accreditation program please visit https://pgms.org/page/Accreditation.

PGMS: Why did you want to become a CGM?
Wang: I first learned about CGM from PGMS website while I was trying to find a professional designation specifically for Grounds Management.  I wanted to become a CGM because it would help to validate my expertise in landscaping and grounds maintenance. I believe the CGM certification would enhance my professional reputation, and show that I'm committed to delivering excellent results. It also provides an opportunity to connect and learn from others in the field across U.S and Canada, and stay updated on industry trends. 

PGMS:  What inspired you to pursue a career in the green industry?
Wang:  It was mainly because of my love for outdoor environment and my previous work experience in the land development industry. I wanted to contribute to preserving and enhancing natural spaces. The green industry has a significant impact on people's lives and offers various career paths. I wanted to combine my passion for working in outdoor environment with a meaningful profession and hopefully make a positive difference to the places where I work and live.  

PGMS:  What advice do you have for aspiring CGMs?
Wang:  I think obtaining CGM certification is one of the best ways to validate one’s expertise in grounds management. Gaining practical experience and pursuing relevant education are the first step to become a CGM.  I believe staying updated on future trends of the green industry, developing strong problem-solving and communication abilities, and seeking help from others are some of the key factors in becoming a successful grounds manager.

PGMS:  What do you feel is the biggest challenge green industry professionals are facing today?
Wang:  The green industry is facing challenges from various aspects today. Labor shortage is what I feel the most significant. Noticeably since the pandemic, finding and retaining both skilled and unskilled workers has become increasingly difficult.  In addition we are also continually facing possible budget cuts, higher input costs and competition from other industries for resources. These challenges pose a significant obstacle to our operations and future growth.   

PGMS:  What challenges have you faced in your professional career that helped you through the process?
Wang:  One notable challenge I faced during my professional career was managing multiple tasks with limited resources and tight deadlines.  It requires me to develop a strong problem-solving and prioritization skills in order to successfully obtain projects completion and high quality results.  These skills have significantly contributed to the successful completion of my PGME.  Additionally, effectively leading and managing diverse teams posed another challenge, teaching me the importance of effective/clear communication, collaboration, and creating a positive work environment. These challenges have also helped shape my skills and prepared me for the CGM process.

PGMS:  In your opinion what advantage does having industry designations like the CGM give professionals?
Wang:  I think, most importantly, industry designations like the CGM provide professionals with enhanced credibility, proof of knowledge and skills, and recognition of other peers. They often also provide members with access to valuable resources, great networking opportunities for continuous learning. I believe these important advantages equip our professionals with a competitive edge in the job market, and also contribute to their success in the field of grounds management.   

PGMS:  What are your favorite aspects of working in the green industry?
Wang: I really enjoy the dynamic nature of the industry. It is a field that evolves constantly, such as new technologies, practices and trends. Collaborations and team work is another reason I like the industry since many projects require various professionals to work together, including landscape architects, horticulturists and construction teams. Working in the green industry also allows me to spend part of my day in the beautiful outdoors settings which I always enjoy, and connecting with nature when surrounded by all kinds of plants and trees. 

To learn more about how you can obtain the Certified Grounds Manager certification click here or e-mail us at info@pgms.org.

This accreditation process and subsequent follow-up measures combine to exemplify a commitment to continuous improvement. The PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation is initially awarded for three years. An accredited facility must then seek to be re-accredited through a mandatory update report provided by the organization that verifies the continuing conformance to best practices and the adherence to the principles of the accreditation.

“4-stars is the highest level of accreditation and the Accreditation Committee commends Barbara Hatchel, CGM, CGT and her team for their extensive re-accreditation documentation, highlighting Texas A&M University’s commitment to sustainability issues and incorporation of innovative technology such as GIS mapping,” stated Michael Loftus, CGM, PGMS Accreditation Committee Chair.

The PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation program is a dynamic evaluation tool designed to be used by facilities and organizations that have a landscape services or grounds component. Through peer expertise, the program evaluates strategic grounds management principles and practices that produce and guide the delivery of properties to an attractive, healthy, sustainable and high quality state. The accreditation focuses on three categories: environmental stewardship, economic performance, and social responsibilities. The program has four levels of accreditation (1, 2, 3 and 4–star.) It is designed to not only recognize excellence but to provide a means by which facilities can measure growth and improvements in meeting the goals of best practices. For more information on the accreditation program please visit https://pgms.org/page/Accreditation.

Transform is a four-day event that provides opportunities for high-level grounds management education, networking, and access to the industry’s largest tradeshow, Equip Exposition. The schedule includes three keynote programs, multiple networking sessions, and the annual awards celebration. New this year is the Women’s Forum Luncheon and Panel Discussion, sponsored by Hunter Industries.

This year’s education includes:

• “Don’t Undersell the Importance of Grounds Management” presented by George Bernardon and Tom Lapp
  
• “Grounds Management in a Facility Management World” presented by James Kaufmann
  
• “Allyship & Leading Inclusively: Building a Ground-Breaking Culture” panel presentation with Meg Smolinski, Sun Roesslein, CSFM, and Warren Gorowitz. Moderated by Paula Sliefert
  
• “Impact Leadership – Develop Talent, Create a Sense of Purpose & Build a Culture People Love” presented by Betsy Allen-Manning
  
• “Designing and Maintaining Safe, Creative and Healthy Landscapes” panel presentation with Phil Richey, John Swintosky, and Chris Vetick. Moderated by Roger Conner
  
• “Beech Leaf Disease: A Threat to the ‘Queen of the Forest,’ the American Beech” presented by Andrew Loyd
  
• “Using the Past to Reveal the Present: Identification and Special Management of Legacy Landscape Features” presented by Michael Gaige
  
• “Field Problem Solving” presented by Mike Goatley and Gregg Munshaw
  
• “Illuminated Spaces: A Study in Outdoor Evening Gatherings at Classic Destinations” presented by Mark Oxley and Matt Meiklejohn
  
• “Plant Palette” presented by Stephanie Krull
  
• “Sharing Data Effectively: How to Turn Information into Impact” presented by Bobbi Nance
  
• “Creative Problem Solving When Faced with Budget Constraints” presented by Steve D’Amato
  
• “Understanding Stormwater Best Management Practices and Conservation Landscapes” presented by Jason Swope, CBLP
  
• “Optimizing the Workforce” presented by Patti Weiter
  

“Transform education sessions have been designed to provide thoughtful discussion with solution-oriented takeaways to ensure grounds professionals of all levels have the opportunity to learn, engage and explore over four days of education and networking” commented 2023 Education Chairperson, Michael Gildea, CGM®. “The committee’s focus has been to design a new conference experience that recognizes the breadth of knowledge our members need to run successful grounds operations.” 

PGMS® will also provide four enhanced education sessions as an Equip Exposition Education Partner.  Thursday, October 19 sessions include “It’s Not About the Paycheck” presented by Jeff McManus, Director of Landscape Services, Ole Miss University & Trainer with the Jeff McManus group and Spanish language education session “Selección de una Agencia de Empleo que le Combiene Mejor a su Compañía” presented by Mary Abbott, Owner/Manager with Mow Beta! Mowing and Snowplowing. “Landscape Design Toolbox” presented by Stephanie Krull, Landscape & Grounds Manager, and “National Turfgrass Trialing Program: Helping You Choose the Right Turf” presented by Kelly Kopp, Professor/Extension Specialist with Utah State University, will be held on Friday, October 20. 

“Transform” attendees will also have access to Equip Exposition, featuring the latest industry equipment, services and technology. Attendees can enjoy the 30-acre outdoor demonstration yard to test the newest industry equipment. 

More information, including the conference brochure and registration can be found at: https://pgms.org/page/2023AnnualConf. 

At the 2023 Annual Conference, the 2023 Professional Awards, Green Star Awards®, and Certified Grounds Managers will be recognized during the Annual Award Celebration, held the evening of Thursday, October 19 at the Galt House Hotel. This event is open to the public. 

Full details are available online at https://pgms.org/page/2023AnnualConf. Registration to attend “Transform” is open to grounds professionals of all industries and experience levels, and early registration is recommended.

The University of Nebraska - Lincoln has been re-accredited with a 4-star rating as part of the Professional Grounds Management Society’s (PGMS®) Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation. It was announced by Accreditation Chair Mike Loftus, CGM. 

Jeff Culberson, Director for University of Nebraska - Lincoln, submitted the update report and received the re-accreditation honor on behalf of the school.

This accreditation process and subsequent follow-up measures combine to exemplify a commitment to continuous improvement. The PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation is initially awarded for three years. An accredited facility must then seek to be re-accredited through a mandatory update report provided by the organization that verifies the continuing conformance to best practices and the adherence to the principles of the accreditation.
Obtaining reaccreditation in the PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation (LMOA) program requires that organizations successfully demonstrate a continuance with the implementation of grounds management best practices intrinsic to the program and to the minimum level of its initial accreditation. The University of Nebraska - Lincoln grounds operations presented evidence of the on-going attainment of many best practices on the campus. They compiled an awesome package of grounds management work that clearly displayed excellence in motion. 

The PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation program is a dynamic evaluation tool designed to be used by facilities and organizations that have a landscape services or grounds component. Through peer expertise, the program evaluates strategic grounds management principles and practices that produce and guide the delivery of properties to an attractive, healthy, sustainable and high quality state, states PGMS. The accreditation focuses on three categories: environmental stewardship, economic performance, and social responsibilities. The program has four levels of accreditation (1, 2, 3 and 4–star.) It is designed to not only recognize excellence but to provide a means by which facilities can measure growth and improvements in meeting the goals of best practices. For more information on the accreditation program please visit https://pgms.org/page/Accreditation.

Meg Smolinski is pursuing her Master of Extension Education at the University of Maryland. She works as the Outreach Coordinator for the University of Maryland's Arboretum & Botanical Gardens and is pursuing a master’s degree to develop better and more useful education programs for the arboretum.

Rebecca Kirk is enrolled at Saint Leo University in the MBA, Project Management program. Her career goal is to pursue a management position within the green industry. Her focus and passion are for sustainability.

Each year the PGMS Scholarship Committee awards scholarships to students in horticulture or related fields. The committee looks for students who have solid grades, and past or current employment in the green industry, involvement in the industry with apprentice or professional organizations as well as civic projects and outreach programs. The committee also looks for any personal development classes and involvement in sports or clubs. Students must be sponsored by a PGMS^® member. The Scholarship Committee is chaired by Jimmy Hogan, CGM.

The awards will be presented during the 2023 PGMS Annual Conference held in conjunction with the Equip Expo in Louisville, Ky. from October 17 - 20, 2023. Award winners will appear in the PGMS newsletter the Forum.

More information on eligibility requirements, examples of Grand award winners and judging rubric can be found at https://pgms.org/page/GreenStarAwards.

PGMS: Why did you want to become a CGM?
Dahl: Several years I worked with  Don Crawford CGM and he introduced me to PGMS. Looking through the qualifications for the CGM I saw it was a perfect fit for what I am doing, opens doors if I want to expand my responsibilities in the future, and overall was a great opportunity to put together a comprehensive portfolio of my work, and the areas I maintain. 

PGMS: What inspired you to pursue a career in the green industry?
Dahl:  I love being outside and the natural world, in school I excelled in biology and earth science. I always knew I wanted to do something with either plants or animals. My aspirations included marine biologist, zoo keeper, veterinarian, even a pet store owner. In high school I began looking into greenhouse manager, Christmas tree farming, nursery grower. Eventually after having every kind of pet you can imagine, and working for a vet I decided plants where going to be my day job. I still have a farm full of animals. It wasn’t until my junior year of college I landed on public gardening having done landscape, and greenhouse work for several years. Public gardening is my perfect fit, I love being outside and involved with creating and maintaining beautiful spaces, learning more about the plants as I care for them, and especially sharing that knowledge with others. Public gardening allows me to work outside with plants, while getting a decent salary, and to then share that knowledge through tours, community classes, and have even started coteaching the lab for Woody Plant Materials a college course helping undergrads learn, id, and appreciate around 200 woody plants. 

PGMS: What advice do you have for aspiring CGMs?
Dahl:  Get to deeply know your areas. The certification allows you to dive deeply into all the aspects of Grounds Management.

PGMS: What do you feel is the biggest challenge green industry professionals are facing today?
Dahl:  Valuing our knowledge. We have to identify and diagnose insects, diseases problems, id hundreds of plants, have a thorough knowledge of soils, hydrology, plumbing, equipment the list goes on. We have to know as much as a doctors but get paid like janitors. Our patients can’t talk or even bark.  

PGMS: What challenges have you faced in your professional career that helped you through the process?
Dahl:  Budget cuts, I have had to do a lot more of the small things that were contracted in the past, fence repairs, plumbing, cleaning drains, pond cleaning.

PGMS: In your opinion what advantage does having industry designations like the CGM give professionals?
Dahl:  Designations help with hiring. They also really help convincing management to find money for attending conferences to maintain the credentials. It helps organizations realize the importance of professional development, and funding needed to attend conferences to continue education and maintain certification credentials.   

PGMS: What are your favorite aspects of working in the green industry?
Dahl: Being outside with nature, observe the natural cycles of life, being able to work with nature to create some amazing spaces, and sharing those amazing experiences with others.

To learn more about how you can obtain the Certified Grounds Manager certification click here or e-mail us at info@pgms.org.

This awards program brings national recognition to grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence. The Green Star Awards® competition complements other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction. During the awards celebration, PGMS® presented nine Grand Awards, its highest honor, as well as 19 Honor Awards and one Merit Award in twelve categories of competition.

In the Hospital or Institution category, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey,  Pennsylvania, received a Grand Award.

In the Athletic Complex category, Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, received a Grand Award;  University of Arizona – Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Arizona,  received an Honor Award; and Tropical Regional Park in Miami, Florida, received a Merit Award.

In the Parks, Recreation Area, or Playground category, the City of Norman Parks in Norman, Oklahoma, received an Honor Award.

Miami Dade County Parks, Recreation and  Open Spaces Kendall and Special Assessment District in Miami, Florida and Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, received an Honor Award  in the Public Works Site category.

In the Small Site category, Texas A&M University Military Walk in College Station, Texas, received a Grand Award.

In the School Grounds category, The Athenian School in Danville, California, received a Grand Award; Charleston County School District in North Charleston, South Carolina, received an Honor Award; and Fay School in Southborough, Massachusetts, received an Honor Award.

A Grand Award in the University and College Grounds – Small category was presented to Denison University in Granville, Ohio, and Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, received an Honor Award. 

Six campuses were honored in the University and College Grounds - Mid-Size category.  A Grand Award was presented to the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. Honor Awards were given to Texas Christian Univerity in Fort Worth, Texas; Texas Woman’s University System - Denton & Dallas Campuses in Denton, Texas; North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina; the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York; and Elon University in Elon, North Carolina. 

In the University and College Grounds – Large category, Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, received a Grand Award; the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia and Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, received an Honor Award.

In the Urban University Grounds category, the Grand Award was given to American University in Washington, D.C., and the Queens University of Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina,  was presented an Honor Award.

The Olmsted Properties category is new in 2022, and five properties were honored in this category. A Grand Award was presented to The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.  Honor Awards were given to Architect of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.; Denison University in Granville, Ohio; Duke University in Durham, North Carolina; and the State of Washington Capitol Campus in Olympia, Washington.

PGMS®  is proud to award its members for sustainable environmental efforts. PGMS®  members have consistently applied best practices and standards regarding the stewardship of our environment. This year, The Athenian School received the third Grounds Sustainability Award. The Athenian School is an exemplary college-preparatory school in Danville, California, implementing several initiatives to conserve natural resources and protect local ecosystems. Examples of The Athenian School’s sustainability include: systematically replacing gasoline-powered equipment through attrition for electric equivalents; utilizing natural weed killer, fertilizers, and an integrated pest management vendor to maintain campus grounds and protect local wildlife; using reclaimed woodchips; reducing water usage; disposing of landscape debris through a dedicated green waste stream; employing waste streams to manage compostable waste, garbage, and recyclables; and use of ECO-Goats to control natural vegetative growth and keep a defined fire break for potential forest fires.

PGMS recognized TreesLouisville with the PGMS Gold Medal Award. The PGMS Gold Medal is given to an individual or entity to recognize them for outstanding and long-term achievements and/or contributions to the green industry. The Society recognized TreesLouisville’s collaborative framework that provides residents with a plethora of benefits, such as improved air quality, erosion reduction, moderated urban heat island effect, energy savings, reduced noise pollution and increased property values. TreesLouisville was founded on March 25, 2015 after the need for an organization solely focused on trees was first identified by the Louisville Metro Tree Advisory Commission in 2012. With a mission to conserve and increase the community’s tree canopy to achieve and maintain an overall canopy coverage of 45%, TreesLouisville catalyzes civic engagement through education and public awareness that promotes preservation and expansion of Louisville and the surrounding regional canopy. Community engagement efforts, such as Tree Fest and Tree Week help engage the community through celebration, and raises awareness of the value and importance of community forests.

The Special Award of Distinguished Service recognizes outstanding service from a board or committee member to acknowledge outstanding service for an individual that goes above and beyond. Kevin Mercer, CGM of Denison University in Granville, Ohio has served on the national board, presented education sessions across the country and served on various PGMS and Sports Field Management Association committees over the years. He is always willing to jump in and help with any committee that needs it and the first to always recognize his team for the accomplishments they achieve. He is passionate and well versed in campus sustainability and he and his team won the first ever Green Star Sustainability award in 2019. This past year he was a driving force in helping to develop a new Green Star Awards^® category – Olmsted Properties. Mercer is a positive example of supporting PGMS and sharing his own teams’ trials and successes with others.

Each year the PGMS President is asked to give a President's Award to a member or members they feel have shown outstanding service and contributions to the Society. This year, President Joe Kovolyan, CGM honored Roger Conner of Duke University in Durham, NC. Conner was recognized for being active in the North Carolina Branch and at the national level on the Certification, Education, Scholarship and Accreditation committees. He is well known as a smiling face at Society events, and goes out of his way to make new members and first-time attendees feel welcome. He introduces scholarship recipients to other members and always stops to speak with industry partners and thank them for their involvement with the Society. He has been a consistent presence on social media, promoting PGMS programs and highlighting member successes. His involvement in the Green Star Awards® has allowed the program to become more streamlined, increased exposure and access across the industry.Conner’s dedication and passion for grounds education has improved the quality, diversity, and efficiency of education and he has been an advocate for increased industry collaboration.

The final recipient of the night was Mark Feist. He received the prestigious E. Earl Wilson Award, which is presented to a PGMS member for long-term dedication to both the Society and the Green Industry. Feist has long been known as “the Voice” of PGMS, serving as the emcee of the annual Green Star Awards. He chaired the 2022 Summer Conference committee, has served on various positions on the national board and different committees and has been very active in the DC Branch. President Joe Kovolyan, CGM remarked, “If you are lucky as you go through your career, you meet individuals that inspire and impress you with their knowledge, dedication and professionalism. If you’re very lucky, you have the opportunity to work with and get to know them as a person, meet their families and enjoy their friendship and sense of humor. Mark Feist leaves American University and the PGMS board as only Mark could do, better because of him and with his trademark, class, grace and amazing sense of humor. The DC Branch, The Society and the industry will not be the same without him, but how lucky we all were to be part of his legacy and we are all better professionals because of him. As the one who had to follow him in every position on the board he held and strive to meet the high bar that was set, I can only thank him.”

The Professional Grounds Management Society® is excited to announce the launch of LEAD, a leadership education and development certificate program. LEAD was developed to provide collaborative and discussion-based education with tangible takeaways to help grounds management professionals tackle the ever-growing leadership challenges facing the industry.  

LEAD will provide 13 months of both in-person and virtual education with topics including culture, conflict resolution, stress management, motivation, diversity, emotional intelligence, communication, talent recruitment and retention, and building collaborative relationships and networks. Monthly education will be led by industry-leading content providers and Jeff McManus, CGM will serve as the 2022-2023 Dean of Leadership.   

“PGMS recognizes the importance of leadership education and how pivotal it is to develop a company culture that attracts, motivates, and retains high-performing staff, which is crucial in today’s labor market. LEAD will help our industry’s current and aspiring leaders communicate effectively, recognize and reduce conflict all while building a culture that inspires high-quality results,” said Joe Kovolyan, CGM, President of the Society.

LEAD is specifically designed to help industry professionals build the foundational skills needed to become transformational leaders in grounds management. Upon earning a LEAD Certificate, participants will be prepared to pursue future leadership opportunities.  “This program has been two years in the making and it is incredible to see the passion of those who have worked to produce what will be a top-tier education program,” Kovolyan stated.   

Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2022, and registration is limited to 25 participants. The first education session will be held virtually in September 2022 with the 2022-2023 LEAD certificate being presented during the 2023 School of Grounds Management Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.  

For more information on eligibility requirements, content leaders, and the application process, visit https://pgms.org/page/LEAD. 

PGMS® members can now submit nominations for the 2022 PGMS® Professional Awards! Send your nominations to PGMS® Past President Mark Feist at info@pgms.org.

The deadline to submit your nominations is May 15, 2022. 

Award Categories:
Special Award of Distinguished Service – The PGMS® Special Award of Distinguished Service recognizes outstanding service from a board or committee member. While all board and committee members are hardworking and committed to our growth and success, this award is given to acknowledge outstanding service for an individual that goes above and beyond. 
 
Gold Medal Award – The PGMS® Gold Medal is given to an individual or entity to recognize them for outstanding and long-term achievements and/or contributions to the green industry. 
 
E. Earl Wilson Award – The E. Earl Wilson Award is given to a PGMS® member for long-term dedication to the Society and the Green Industry. 
 
How to Nominate?
If you would like to nominate a deserving recipient, please submit the nomination form (below) to Mark Feist at info@pgms.org by Sunday, May 15, 2022. 

*Please note: Only PGMS® members in good standing are allowed to nominate for the 2022 PGMS® Professional Awards. 

Beginning in 2021, PGMS® started offering member scholarships to the School of Grounds Management Annual Conference. The application for this scholarship is available in the Spring of each year. The 2022 Applications are available from April 1 - May 15, 2022.
Eligibility:
Must be a PGMS® member in good standing.
Must complete the application, including a scholarship need letter by Sunday, May 15.
To access the scholarship application visit https://pgms.org/page/memberscholarships or click on "Quick Links" in the member portal and choose "Member Scholarship". 

About the Professional Grounds Management Society

Serving the profession for over 100 years, PGMS^® is an individual membership society of grounds professionals dedicated to advancing the grounds management profession through education and professional development. Further information on PGMS^® is available online at www.PGMS.org.

Media contact:

Amie Goscinski

Director of Communications and Marketing

agoscinski@stringfellowgroup.net

443-966-3852 Ext. 1144

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Professional Grounds Management Society®’s Green Star Awards®, recognizing excellence in grounds maintenance. With more than fifteen award categories, the Green Star Awards® recognizes individual professional efforts leading to high maintenance standards and high quality appearance of the landscape. Award entry categories include: Residential Landscape; Hospital or Institution; Park, Recreation or Playground; Hotel, Motel or Resort, Athletic Complex; and Education Institutions. 

Entries are judged on the following categories: turf, landscape, safety, challenges and budget. The highest honor presented in a category is a Grand Award, followed by Honor and Merit recognition categories. 

Former award winners include Disneyland, Duke University, Stone Mountain Golf Club, Biltmore Estate Historic Gardens, and The Venetian Resort. 

For more information, visit: https://pgms.org/page/GreenStarAwards.

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About the Professional Grounds Management Society

Serving the profession for over 100 years, PGMS^® is an individual membership society of grounds professionals dedicated to advancing the grounds management profession through education and professional development. Further information on PGMS^® is available online at www.PGMS.org.

Media contact:

Amie Goscinski

Director of Communications and Marketing

agoscinski@stringfellowgroup.net

443-966-3852 Ext. 1144

Kevin Mercer, CGM, Grounds and Landscape Manager for Denison University, submitted the update report and received the re-accreditation honor on behalf of the school.

The accreditation process and subsequent follow-up measures combine to exemplify a commitment to continuous improvement. The PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation is initially awarded for three years. An accredited facility must then seek to be re-accredited through a mandatory update report provided by the organization that verifies the continuing conformance to best practices and the adherence to the principles of the accreditation.

“Denison University’s re-accreditation, submitted by Grounds Manager Kevin Mercer, CGM, exemplifies Denison’s commitment to strategic grounds management principles and practices during such challenging times,” said Burns. “The re-accreditation materials support Denison’s continued success in providing high quality grounds that are both healthy and sustainable. On behalf of the Accreditation Committee, I applaud the Denison University Grounds Department for their commitment to excellent grounds and landscape operations.”

The PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation program is a dynamic evaluation tool designed to be used by facilities and organizations that have a landscape services or grounds component. Through peer expertise, the program evaluates strategic grounds management principles and practices that produce and guide the delivery of properties to an attractive, healthy, sustainable and high quality state, states PGMS. The accreditation focuses on three categories: environmental stewardship, economic performance, and social responsibilities. The program has four levels of accreditation (1, 2, 3 and 4–star.) It is designed to not only recognize excellence but to provide a means by which facilities can measure growth and improvements in meeting the goals of best practices. For more information on the accreditation program please visit http://pgms.org/accreditation/.