The Maryland Turfgrass Council is a non-profit corporation governed by the Officers and Members of the Board of Directors. The Officers and Directors have one vote in all matters before the Council. The officers include a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Past President. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person. All officers are elected from the general membership to two-year terms, except the Past President. There are currently nine Directors who represent different facets of the Maryland Turfgrass Industry. The Directors are elected from the general membership to three-year, two-year and one-year terms. The Executive Director is a non-voting member of the Council, employed to maintain membership records, publish newsletters and assist Council activities. There are currently six Advisers who are selected by the Board of Directors, and who serve as non-voting members of the Board. They include faculty of the University of Maryland, personnel of the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Agriculture Commission. For more information about the duties of MTC Officers and Board of Directors, see the Constitution and By-laws. |
2019 MTC Board of Directors |
Executive DirectorVernon Cooper MTC Executive Director All States Turf Consultants; Owner/ Agronomist Email: Execdir@Mdturfcouncil.com |
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President |
Vice PresidentBen Ellis Golf Course Superintendent, Paint Branch Golf Course Email: Golfturf54@gmail.com Email: Ben.Ellis@PGParks.com MTC Committee(s): Media, Communications |
SecretaryCheryl Gaultney MTC Secretary/ Treasurer Email: Sandqueen10@aol.com Cheryl has served the MTC since 1976. She is the guiding finacial guru of the Council. |
Treasurer |
Board MemberKeith Bowman McHale Landscape Design Email: Keithb@mchalelandscape.com Keith moved to Maryland in early 2003 after receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Turfgrass Science from The Pennsylvania State University. Upon graduation, Keith accepted a position at McHale Landscape Design. He is currently in his 17th year with McHale serving as Maintenance Division Manager and Business Development. Working with plants has been part of Keith’s life since a young age – at 12 years of age he started picking watermelons in the summer, in high school working on the grounds crew at the local community college and eventually interning as a grounds keeper for a minor league baseball team. As part of his term on the Board of Directors, Keith hopes to help educate the public on Turfgrass policy and technique. Furthermore, he hopes to promote careers in the Green Industry as he feels there are many fulfilling careers available. In is free time, Keith enjoys coaching Little League Baseball, playing softball and golf and spending time with his family. He is a resident of Baltimore City. |
Board MemberMatt Coates Washington Nationals Baseball Email: Matt.Coates@Nationals.com Matt Coates graduated from the University of Maryland in 2010, where he studied Turfgrass Management. While attending Maryland, Matt interned at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, MD in 2009 and the Washington Nationals in 2010. Matt started his career with the Nationals in 2011 as Assistant Field Manger and currently has served as the Field Manager since 2014. Matt is also a current member of the Mid-Atlantic and National Sports Turf Managers Association. |
Board Member |
Board Member |
Board Member |
Board MemberAmanda Stillwagon Anne Arundel Co. Parks and Recreation Email: rpstil00@aacounty.org Amanda is the Horticulturist for Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks. She has a Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University in Landscape Architecture and a Master’s degree from Slippery Rock University in Environmental Science. Her goal is to support the organization and its continuing education for members of the industry. |
Board MemberPerry Whaley Newsom Seed Email: Perry@Newsomseed.com I am the General Manager for Newsom Seed, where I oversee the day to day operations at our main warehouse facility in Fulton, Maryland. Prior to joining Newsom in 2010, I was a Golf Course Superintendent in Fredericksburg, Virginia and an Assistant Superintendent in Ohio. Turfgrass Management has been a passion of mine for about 20 years now. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my five year old son, playing golf and any activity centered around spending time with friends |
Board Member |
Board Member |
Past President |
University AdviserGeoffrey Rinehart University of Maryland, Institute of Applied Agriculture |