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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. |
2022 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 |
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Current Position: Southern Region Parks Division’s Recreation and Park Maintenance Coordinator. Brandon Sands has worked with the MNCPPC for ten years, starting as a Park Maintenance Crew Leader. He was later promoted to Landscape Supervisor II, leading Landscape and Turf Development for the Maintenance & Development Division. Brandon’s turf specialty experience has spanned over 25 years. Before M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation, Brandon worked in professional baseball and collegiate organizations (Bowie Baysox, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Coastal Caroline University, and the US Naval Academy). He also worked for ten years in the Athletic Grounds Department for Anne Arundel County Schools. Currently, Brandon serves as the President of the Maryland Turfgrass Council and has served as the Turf Liaison on several committees for the MNCPPC. |
Vice President |
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Patrick spent 23 years working in Minor League baseball before joining DuraEdge in November of 2017. More commonly known in the industry as “Irish”, he enjoyed an award-winning career working for seven different teams in five different states. Irish is now settled in Maryland as the Mid-Atlantic Sales Representative for DuraEdge. He joined the MTC in 2020. |
Immediate Past PresidentBen Ellis Golf Course Superintendent, Fort Belvoir Golf Club Email: Golfturf54@gmail.com Phone: (571) 340-0122 MTC Committee(s): Media, Communications |
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Golf runs through Ben Ellis’s veins, and he has spent more than half his life on a golf course. In fact, one of his earliest memories is chipping golf balls on the par 3 hole his grandfather constructed in their front yard. After joining the clubhouse staff at Fort Belvoir Golf Club during his teen years, Ben quickly found a home within the golf course maintenance personnel, and his passion for the art and science of greenkeeping blossomed through stints at Fort Belvoir, Laurel Hill, Andrews and Paint Branch. When not at the course, Ben enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Sara, and their two dogs Bruce and Leia, near their home in Southern Maryland. Ben is a student of the game and takes every opportunity to get out and play on courses of every variety.
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. |
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Treasurer |
Board Member |
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Brian has more than 25 years of experience with Scientific Plant Service, headquartered in Baltimore Maryland. As Owner and President of the company he is also a Certified Fertilizer Applicator, a Certified Pest Control Applicator and International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Frostburg State University. |
Board Member |
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Amanda is the Park Planner for Calvert County Government Department of Parks and Recreation. 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 Member |
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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 MemberJamie Roell Anne Arundle County Recreation and Parks Email: rproel09@aacounty.org Past Maryland Turfgrass Council President |
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Board Member |
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Board Member |
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Board Member |
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Board Member |
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Board MemberFred Johnson Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission |
Board Member |
University AdvisorGeoffrey Rinehart University of Maryland, Institute of Applied Agriculture |
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Maryland Department of Agriculture AdvisorRick Boldissar Maryland Department of Agriculture, Turf and Seed Section Email: Rick.boldissar@maryland.gov |