PGMS® members can submit nominations for the Professional Awards each year between April 1 - May 15. Information on how to submit a nomination for the 2025 Professional Awards will be available April 1, 2025.
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.
Gold Medal Recipients
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.
2024 - Warren Sellers
2023 - Michael Goatley, PhD
2022 - TreesLouisville
2021 - Bartlett Tree Experts
2020 - Pioneer Athletics
2019 - Ken Taylor, John Deere
2018 - Sports Turf Managers Association
2017 - Steve Keating, CSE, CME, The Toro Company
2016 - Irrigation
Association
2015 -
APPA - Leadership in Education Facilities
2014 - Toro
2013 - PLANET
2012 – Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus USA
2011 – Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES)
2010 – John Deere Company
2008 – George M. Gaumer, Davey Commercial Landscape Services, Kent,
OH
2007 – Mayor Richard Daley, Chicago, IL
2006 – Len Morrow, Richmond, VA
2004 – George Toma, Westwood, KS
1999 - Thomas Smith, Cincinnati, OH
1996 – Jeffrey Bourne, Columbia, MD
1992 – E. Earl Wilson, Loveland,
OH*
1987 – Robert B. Fisher, Alexandria, VA *
1984 – Rev. John E. Brooks, S.J., Worcester, MA*
1982 – Norman Rotanzi, San Simeon, CA
1968 – Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, Austin, TX*
1966 – Frederick A. Huette, Norfolk, VA*
1963
– Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss, Washington, DC*
1959 – Mrs. Flagler Mathews, Rye, NY*
1952 – Henry F. DuPont, Wilmington, DE*
1950 – Leonard S. Buck, Far Hills, NJ *
1940 – August Koch, Chicago, IL *
1929 – Pierre S. Dupont, Kennett
Square, PA *
1926 – William Kleinheinz, NJ *
*Deceased
President's Award
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. The
name in parenthesis is the President who gave out the award that year.
2024 - (Roger Conner, CGM, CGT) Barbara Hatchel, CGM, CGT
2023 - (Bruce DeVrou, CGM) Brandon Haley, CGM
2022 - (Joe Kovolyan, CGM) Roger Conner, CGM
2021 - (Mark Feist) Jenny Gulick
2020 - (Gerry Dobbs, CGM) Ryan McCaughey, CGM
2019 - (Jeff McManus, CGM) Jimmy Viars, CGM
2018 - (Gerald Landby) Bruce De Vrou, CGM and
Joe Kovolyan, CGM, CSFM
2017 - (Marion Bolick, CGM) Susanne Woodell, CGM
2016 - (John Doiron) - John Burns, CGM and Jeff McManus, CGM
2015 -
(John Burns, CGM) - Cary Avery, CGM
2014 - (Walt Bonvell, CGM) - John Doiron and Mark Feist
2013 - (John Van Etten, CGM) - Ed Harman, CGM and Jimmy Viars, CGM
2012 - (Donald Bottger, CGM) – Gerald Landby
2011 - (Joe Jackson, CGM) – Gerry Dobbs, CGM
2010 - (Monica Higgins, CGM) – Marion Bolick, CGM and John Doiron
2009 - (Gene Pouly, CGM) – Denny Baker and Doyle Watkins
2008 - (Greg Nichols) – Mark Feist and Stephanie DeStefano
2007 - (Mike Mongon, CGM) – Walt Bonvell*, CGM and
The Joseph E. Shaner Co.
2006 - (Ellen Newell, CGM) – Donald Bottger, CGM and Jeffrey Bourne
2005 - (Chris Fay, CGM) – George Van Haasteren, CGM and Eric Grammer
2004 - (Todd Cochran, CGM) – Monica Higgins, CGM and John Van Etten, CGM
2003 - (Dusty Hallman,
CGM) – Joseph Jackson, CGM & Greg Nichols
2002 - (Matt Vehr) – Kevin O’Donnell and Ellen Newell, CGM
2001 - (George Van Haasteren, CGM) – Greg Nichols and Dusty Hallman, CGM
2000 - (Kevin O’Donnell) – Vicki Killian, CGM and Walter
Bonvell*, CGM
*Deceased
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.
2024 - Christopher Vetick*
2022 - Mark Feist
2019 - Lynda Wightman
2016 - Tom Shaner
2015 -
Walt Bonvell, CGM*
2013 - Eugene Pouly, CGM
2012 - Thomas Smith
2010 - Jeffrey Bourne
2007 - George Van Haasteren, CGM
2004 - Kevin O’Donnell
*Deceased
PGMS Special Award of Distinguished Service
The PGMS Distinguished Service Award 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.
2024 - Warren Gorowitz and Joel Spies
2023 - Joe Kovolyan, CGM
2022 - Kevin Mercer, CGM
2021 - Jeff McManus, CGM
2019 - Paula Sliefert
2017 - Stephanie Bruno, CAE
2014 - David Davis, CGM
2013 - Gerald Dobbs, CGM
