Groundskeeper Chats

"You'll know if Joe is in the building"... The larger than life grounds personality Joe Kovolyan joined Meg to help close out the PGMS Groundskeeper Chat series. Joe shares his turf origin story and much more in this week's episode.  OG New England Crew  Turf Origin Story, from sports turf to grounds  100th President of PGMS  The lifeline of PGMS + SFMA  A little bit more about guest... Joe Kovoly...

Bill Quade, Director of Horticulture at The Biltmore Company, joins Meg for another PGMS conference live episode in Louisville. Bill shares how being involved in groups like PGMS keeps you adding resources into toolkit long into your career. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat: Advocating for Professionalism  Advocating for yourself and for the industry  "other duties as assi...

DJ Hart with the City of Brewer joins Meg in Louisville to reflect on his gratitude for a career in the turf industry. He shares a powerful story about how his work allows him to impact people’s lives at many different stages. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode: - DJ Hart's Turf Origin Story - The impact of PGMS on DJ's career - A job that changes with the tide - The impact you can hav...

Phil Richey grew up on Michigan State's campus and raised in the world of horticultural. He knew from an early age that he'd follow in his family's foot steps and find a career in the green industry. Phil has called Purdue University home for almost two decades now. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:  Phil's Turf Origin Story  "other duties as assigned" Data and speaking the language ...

President, Michael Gildea, and Vice President of PGMS, Vince Jagodzinski joined Meg in Louisville during the annual Professional Grounds Management Society Conference. The trio discuss the importance of being involved in industry groups and the imacpt it can have your career. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:  Recapping the conference and theme of PGMS  How industry organizations can...

Live from the PGMS annual conference in Louisville Kentucky, Paula and Sun join Meg to officially kick off conference season! The trio reflect on how industry groups have impacted their lives professionally and personally. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:  An update on the World Listening Tour  The impact PGMS and other industry groups can have on your career  PGMS + SFMA partnershi...

St. Louis City SC, Associate Director of Stadium Grounds, Maritza Martinez and Turf Coordinator, Faith Holcomb sat down with Meg in their grounds shop to... talk shop. The two share their turf origin stories and what has brought them to St. Louis. Here's what you'll in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:  Meet me in St. Louis Navigating difficult conversations  Advocating for your role within an organ...

Straight out of Teal Town! Mira Emma and Julie Kessler rolled out the red carpet for Meg during her pit stop in Kansas City. The three sat down to recap their turf origin stories, discuss the culture and hype around The KC Current and the opportunities this crew are privileged to experience. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:  Pressure is a Privilege The KC Current culture...

We squeezed in a quick game day chat with Ben Hartman, Director of Field Operations for the Wichita Wind Surge mid-season in Kansas. Ben is a friend of the series and Meg joined him and the crew for a 15 hour day, where temperatures reached the high 90's. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:  Breakdown of the season + game day  Ben and Jake's teamwork on the field  The founda...

Raymond James Stadium's Facility Manager of Grounds, Trey Altman, joins us for our Banana Ball series. Altman and the Buccaneer's crew were the first NFL stadium to host Banana Ball. Altman walks us through the rewarding experience and his career in the turf industry in this week's #GroundskeeperChat, here's what you'll hear:  Trey's turf origin story  Banana Ball  The "Off-season"  What challenge...

Head Groundskeeper for the Reno Aces, Max Casper, joined us mid-season to update us on his first year in the new role. A heavy events schedule and minor league baseball can be daunting but Max shares with us his keys to success. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:  Reno Aces crew update  Banana Ball  Performing under pressure  Maintaining culture and positivity during long s...

We welcome Sports Field Management Association's newest CEO, Paula Sleifert, to share her vision and excitement for the new role in this week's episode. Paula comes to the role with almost 20 years of experience in our industry and a passion for driving change that makes an impact. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat: The philosophies and practices that have kept Paula rooted...

the.j.sprays, Jordan Achay, joins Meg for a Groundskeeper Chat to share his turf origin story and passion for sharing the behind scenes of our industry. Jordan is California born and raised, rooted in his love for the beach and the outdoors. Full-time with the LA Chargers and his own sports field management business has given Jordan the opportunity to pack a lot of experience in the years since tr...

Stanley Black and Decker's Manager of Grounds and Field Testing, Vince Jagodzinski, brought us along for a day in his life in Valley City, Ohio! We sat down with Vince at the end of the day to hear his full turf origin story and the things that have kept him rooted in the industry since day one. Here's what you'll hear in today's #GroundskeeperChat:  A journey through Vince's career in the industr...

Straight from the source! We are joined by Director of Baseball Operations for The Savannah Bananas to chat about the whirl wind journey he's had with the team and his own turf origin story. Adam shares with us ouse of his favorite memories from the road and what he hopes resonates with groundskeepers when his team is in town. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:  Adam Virant...

Salem Red Sox's Director of Field Operations, Will Cole has always been on our radar and now he's making his first appearance on our Groundskeeper Chat series. Will brings vast experience to minor league baseball and has always found himself being pulled to sports turf. Will joined us days before his stadium welcomed the Banana Ball World Tour. Here's what else you'll hear on this week's episode: ...

We joined the Professional Grounds Management Society's Regional Conference in Cleveland, Ohio for a LIVE Groundskeeper Chat. We were joined by six guests, all with engaging turf origin stories, who shared their passion for the industry and why groups like PGMS make it special.  Tune in to hear from Eric Harshman, Michael Gildea, Vince Jagodzinski, Aaron Griffith, Bill Quade and Daniel Bangert. 

Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports, Maryanne Baglos gave us a world tour the morning we stepped into shoes for a day in life experience. Maryanne's 2025 Pioneers in the Field story started on a softball field with her dad, tune in for the rest of her special edition Groundskeeper Chat episode!

Longtime Toledo Mudhens, Head Groundskeeper, Kyle Leppelmeier joins us for his special edition Pioneers in the Field episode. We dive into Kyle's origin story, mentors along the way and what he hopes to give back to this industry each day he takes the field. 

Gillette Stadium's Field Superintendent, Ryan Bjorn, is a proud member of the Patriots and Revolution organizations. Join us for Bjorn's special edition 2025 Pioneers in the Field episode, where he takes us back to the very beginning of his turf story. 

Arizona Cardinals and State Farm Stadium, Director of Turf, Andy Levy, joins us for his special edition 2025 Pioneers in the Field Groundskeeper Chat episode. We learn that adventure and a love for the outdoors is at the core of Andy's story. Andy led the team that implemented the first retraceable field in the NFL, tune in for this week's episode.

The Chase Straw turfgrass world tour started in Kentucky, traveled through Georgia, Minnesota and Texas before its current residency in State College, Pennsylvania. Straw joins us for his in-depth Pioneers in the Field interview to discuss the people, places and principles that will help serve as his legacy in the sports turf industry. Don't miss this special edition 2025 Pioneers in the Field Gro...

Founder and Principal of Field Source, Ryan DeMay walks onto a new movie set each day. There is always a new cast of characters, obstacle to overcome and hero's journey, but DeMay shared with us that he often runs off the same script. DeMay allows his passion for safe community-level sports fields to take the center stage and hopes that his delivery will serve as his legacy in the industry.

Kelly Lynch, Pure Seed Regional Manager, could write a book on earning a seat at the table.  Meg Kruger invites her mentor onto our latest #GroundskeeperChat episode to share her trade secrets to success.  Whether you tune in for the professional development or are looking for a pep talk from one of the best, here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:  Sherpa Mindset  Navigating the No Asking...

We've always liked Rick Perruzzi, Director of Athletic Fields in South Portland, Maine, but after our pit stop to visit him on a gloomy Thursday. We are officially launching the Rick Perruzzi Fan Club LLC. After listening to this week's episode you'll understand why. Here's what you'll hear on this #GroundskeeperChat:  South Portland, born and raised  Rick's turf origin story Mentors along the way...