Synthetic Turf Council Elects New Board of Directors

Board Officers include Vice Chairman Scott Lowrie, President, Controlled Products, LLC; Secretary Davis Lee, Principal, InnovaNet Group; Treasurer Jake Alexander, Sales Director-Eastern U.S., Genan Inc.; Director-at-Large Bob Thomas, President, ProGrass LLC and Immediate Past Chairman John B. Giraud, Managing Director, Target Technologies International Inc. Completing the new Board are Zach Burns, President, The Motz Group; Alastair Cox, Director, Labosport International; Craig Honkomp, Principal, Sportsworks Field Design; Dale Karmie, President, ForeverLawn, Inc.; Jeff Kendell, CEO, Liberty Tire Recycling, LLC; David Moxley, Director of Sales, Sportsfield Specialties, Inc.; and Heard Smith, Chief Operating Officer, AstroTurf/SYNLawn.

"Our Board plays an extremely active role in shaping the strategic direction of the Council,” explains Rick Doyle, President of the Synthetic Turf Council (STC). "The STC relies on its Board and many committee volunteers to create and help implement action initiatives for each of the many applications for which synthetic turf is a solution – landscape, playgrounds, golf, sports fields, airports, dog parks, and others. Chairman John Baize’s contributions and commitment to the STC are well-known, and I’m confident the STC will continue to grow and serve the industry under his leadership.”

The membership meeting featured many compelling speakers including the Keynote Speaker Daryl Johnston, President of the Southwest Division, G9 Turf, commentator for "The NFL on FOX” and former Dallas Cowboys fullback (1989-1999) and twice selected for the Pro-Bowl.

The meeting’s robust educational component included presentations on "NFL Research to Reduce Player Injury,” "Advances in Artificial Weathering, Durability, Testing, and Fade Resistance,” "LEED Points - How to Earn Them and What They Mean for Synthetic Turf Projects,” "New Developments in Field Covering Systems,” "Measuring Heat of Synthetic Turf – Solar Reflective Index v. Temperature,” and an "Update on the University of Tennessee’s Center for Safer Athletic Fields’ Research Results.” An exhibitor showcase completed the successful educational and networking experience. Architects earned CEU credits for attending the meeting.

About the Synthetic Turf Council

Based in Atlanta, the Synthetic Turf Council was founded in 2003 to promote the industry and to assist buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, municipal parks, airports, landscape and residential applications. The organization is also a resource for current, credible, and independent research on the safety and environmental impact of synthetic turf. Membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.