Beth Berry – President
Beth Berry is Vice President of Turf and Ornamental at Advanced Turf Solutions, an employee-owned supplier serving the green industry. She brings more than 30 years of service industry experience, with a career rooted in advancing customer experience within the lawn care and landscape sectors. Berry previously held leadership roles at Scotts LawnService, including Director of Customer Service during a period of significant growth within The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. She later served as Vice President of Sales at Real Green Software, where she helped guide the company’s technology roadmap and led business development and integrated partner programs supporting the turf care industry. Berry attended the University of Indianapolis and has completed advanced leadership and service training through the Ritz-Carlton Legendary Service program, the Disney Institute for Service Excellence, and New York University’s Leading for Engagement. She is a Master Certified Trainer for DDI training programs and serves on the boards of the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the National Speakers Association.
Sarah Spatola – Vice President
Sarah Spatola is Executive Director of the Turfgrass Producers of Florida. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Central Florida and joined the Arborjet/Ecologel organization in 2009, serving as territory manager for Florida and the Southeastern United States. She later advanced into marketing leadership roles, becoming Director of Marketing in 2015. In 2018, Spatola completed the UF/IFAS Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources, a selective program focused on leadership development within Florida’s agriculture and natural resource industries. Following the Arborjet–Ecologel partnership, Spatola was promoted to Director of Product Marketing for both companies in 2023. She is a past president and active member of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) and has served on its committees, Board of Directors, and Executive Leadership.
Fred Haskett – Secretary/Treasurer
Fred Haskett is founder of TrueWinds Consulting and a green industry veteran with more than 40 years of professional management experience leading regional, multi-state, and multi-unit organizations. His career spans both the lawn care and landscape maintenance sectors, with senior leadership experience across operations, finance, sales, marketing, and franchising. Haskett has served three terms on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), including two terms as Chairman of the Lawn Care Specialty Group, and represented the Professional Lawn Care Association during the ALCA/PLCAA merger. He has been recognized with the Professional Land Care Network’s Trailblazer Award for Lifetime Green Industry Achievement and holds multiple industry certifications, including Landscape Industry Certified Manager, Certified Turfgrass Professional, and Certified Arborist.
Scott Bills – Immediate Past President
Scott Bills is a nationally recognized Certified Sports Field Manager and President of New Jersey–based Sports Field Solutions, LLC. With more than 40 years of experience, Bills has designed, constructed, renovated, and consulted on hundreds of sports fields, athletic complexes, and golf courses across the United States, working with both natural and synthetic surfaces. His expertise includes project evaluation, field safety, playability, and performance, as well as formal training for school districts, parks departments, and private sports organizations. Bills has also taught sports field construction, maintenance, and park liability courses for Rutgers University’s Department of Continuing Education for more than a decade and provides site evaluations, inspections, and expert witness services related to sports field projects and contract disputes.
Board of Directors
Andrew Bray
Board Member
Andrew Bray is currently the Vice President of Government Relations at the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). In his role Bray leads all legislative and regulatory initiatives at the federal and state level. Prior to joining NALP Bray worked in a government relations capacity for the National Pest Management Association, North American Meat Institute and the Grocer Manufacturers Association. Bray earned his law degree in 2013 and maintains an active license to practice law in the state of Virginia.
Tim Demerath is the vice president of sales, pest management business unit for PBI-Gordon in Kansas City, Missouri. PBI-Gordon in Kansas City, Missouri. Prior to joining PBI-Gordon he worked in various roles with Bayer CropScience and the former Beachner Grain. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln from which he holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and was a member of the Cornhuskers football team.
Blaine Pinkerton
Board Member
Blaine Pinkerton is the Vice President of Sales, Turf and Ornamental for Nufarm Americas and has been with Nufarm for 15 years, previously holding the roles of Director of Sales and Great Lakes region sales manager. A 1994 graduate of The Ohio State University, Pinkerton holds a bachelor of science degree in Agronomy (turfgrass management focus) with a minor in Ag business. Immediately after college, he spent four years as an assistant golf course superintendent followed by 5 years learning sales in the agriculture retail business. He returned to the Turf and Ornamental business in 2001 with Green Velvet Sod Farms in Dayton, Ohio where he spent five years selling to golf and lawn care customers in Southwest Ohio prior to joining Nufarm. A lifelong Ohio resident, Pinkerton lives in Mt. Orab, Ohio 30 miles east of Cincinnati with his wife, Tonia who is a sales director with Mary Kay and their 3 children, Tessa (22) Kellan (19) and Tucker (11) As a family, they enjoy rooting for the Buckeyes and spending time around water whether that be a pool, a lake or an ocean. The family is involved with Party with a Purpose which raises money for local charities in Brown County, Ohio as well as the Brown County Pork Producers in addition to other church and community activities.
George Furrer
Board Member
Furrer is partner and President of Valley Green Professional Turf Products, a New England-based distributor of turfgrass seed, fertilizers and nutritionals and other products to the green industry. Serving the LCO, golf, sports turf, sod and nursery production, and arboriculture segments, Valley Green is an employee-driven, customer-focused organization. Furrer earned degrees in Turfgrass Management from The Ohio State University and Marketing from Franklin University.
Linda Satter
Board Member
Linda Satter is a 33 plus year veteran of the green industry. She is the Key Account Management, Turf & Landscape Channel for AMGUARD Technologies. Throughout her career in the industry, her focus has been in the turf & ornamental sectors of the market place in rolls ranging from customer service and marketing support to sales and corporate account management where her passion for people and business resides. Originally a native of Indianapolis, IN Satter and her husband live in Newnan, Georgia outside Atlanta. She has served as a project management leader for multiple Habitat for Humanity projects. She enjoys cooking, serving the charitable needs of the church, watching SEC college football, spending time with family and friends and enjoying many outdoor activities including scuba diving and spending time relaxing down on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Russ Mitchell
Board Member
Russ Mitchell has been in the specialty agriculture industry for over 35 years and his current role is Director of Specialty/Prime Source at Albaugh, LLC. His duties include managing the Prime Source business, a division of Albaugh, which sells to turf and ornamental distribution. Mitchell has held previous management positions at Quali-Pro, Synatek LP, and United Horticultural Supply. A graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor of science degree in Agronomy, Mitchell is originally from Atlanta and currently resides in the Raleigh, N.C. area with his wife, Elizabeth. They have four children and currently three grandchildren.
Cayla Chamberlin
Board Member
Cayla Chamberlin is a Senior Program Manager with the Gilbert Family Foundation in Detroit. A passionate public space professional, she works to create safe, inclusive, and active parks and public spaces in Detroit. Chamberlin is a graduate of Michigan State University (Go Green!) and a proud resident of Detroit. In her spare time, you can find her checking out new coffee shops, watching hockey, and traveling.
Ashley Williams
Board Member
Ashley Williams is Global Sales Head, Program Execution, Agribusiness, at TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods. TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods is a leading global technology provider delivering data insights and digital solutions to agriculture, turf and ornamental, food and consumer goods customers. Williams was formerly with TKXS, the first US-based company acquired by TELUS Agriculture. Prior to joining TKXS, she spent 10 years at Syngenta in data management, marketing, and sales roles. Ashley serves as an inaugural board member for the TELUS North Carolina Community Board. Williams, her husband David and daughter Spencer founded the Tyler David Williams Memorial Scholarship and co-own a family landscaping firm in Greensboro, NC.
Paula Sliefert
Board Member
Paula Sliefert is Executive Director of the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA). She previously held senior marketing leadership roles with industry suppliers, where she supported key industry relationships and led strategies to grow market share across professional and collegiate sports, educational institutions, and federal, state, and local government sectors. Sliefert is a graduate of Simpson College with a bachelor’s degree in German and International Business and holds a master’s degree in German from Bowling Green State University. Her experience includes studying and working abroad in Germany and Austria, including a work-abroad program with Mercedes-Benz and coursework at the University of Salzburg.
Chris McMurrough
Board Member
Chris McMurrough joined SRS Distribution in 2016, serving as Vice President of the Northeast Region for its building products division, where he helped integrate key acquisitions, expand the region’s footprint, and drive significant growth. In 2020, he transitioned to Heritage Landscape Supply as Chief Operating Officer, leading the integration of nearly two dozen acquisitions and the launch of more than 40 greenfields. McMurrough brings more than two decades of operational leadership experience, including 20 years in the food manufacturing industry, where he advanced to Vice President of Operations. He is recognized for building high-performing teams with a focus on growth, execution, and leadership development.
Phil Fogarty
Board Member
Phil Fogarty began his career in the green industry in the 1980s after purchasing Crowley’s Lawn Service from entrepreneur and inventor Tom Crowley. He grew the business to more than $1 million in annual sales before negotiating its sale to The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and helping establish Scotts LawnService. Fogarty later joined Weed Man Lawn Care as a master franchiser, supporting operations across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and upstate New York, and helped launch the Weed Man franchise office in the Cleveland area. He has received numerous industry honors recognizing professional excellence, environmental leadership, communication, and lifetime leadership. Fogarty has a long history of community service, including more than two decades as a board member of Family Promise of Greater Cleveland, involvement with Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater Cleveland, and founding Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School’s Labre Program serving those in need. He currently serves as Board President of Village Collective, a nonprofit supporting affordable housing and coaching for young adults in Cleveland, and helped establish the industry’s Renewal and Remembrance volunteer program at Arlington National Cemetery.
Todd Zimmerman
Board Member
Todd Zimmerman is VP of Product Development at PositecUSA. He is a seasoned leader with extensive global experience in product development, specializing in Lithium-Ion cordless technologies, product sourcing, marketing, and channel management. He has a proven track record in the development and successful launch of innovative, globally positioned products. Zimmerman holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and International Business from the University of Maryland.
Nick Minas
Board Member
Nick Minas joined John Deere in 2001 and currently serves as the B2B Production Systems Manager, where he leads innovation and efficiency initiatives for the golf and professional property care industries. With over 23 years of experience at John Deere, Nick has developed deep expertise in product support, customer service, training, and product management. He earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and lives in Cary, NC, with his wife and two children.
Dan Dorn
Board Member
Dan Dorn, Corporate Account Manager for The Toro Company, brings more than 30 years of experience in sales management, channel development, strategic marketing, and product management. Known for his customer-focused approach and collaborative style, he has built strong, lasting relationships by aligning with customer needs and delivering effective solutions. Dan began his career at Exmark Manufacturing, where his leadership and expertise eventually led him to The Toro Company through acquisition. His passion for maintaining green spaces was shaped by his upbringing on a farm and his work as a golf course assistant during college, experiences that fuel his commitment to preserving outdoor environments for future generations. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and English from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where his initial plan to pursue law school evolved into a lifelong career dedicated to helping customers succeed through meaningful partnerships.
Trent Dicks
Board Member
Trent Dicks is National Sales Manager for Arborjet | Ecologel, where he leads sales efforts across the United States. A Certified Arborist, Dicks brings more than 20 years of experience in landscape and nursery sales and operations, including 13 years with Arborjet | Ecologel. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agri-Business Horticulture from Illinois State University, as well as an associate degree in applied science and horticulture. Earlier in his career, Dicks managed a garden center and operated a nursery and landscape business in the Midwest and later served as landscape designer and operations manager at Moon Landscaping, overseeing large commercial projects, estate landscapes, maintenance, and plant health care. He is a graduate of Dale Carnegie Training and executive sales programs through Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Michael Maravich
Board Member
Michael Maravich holds a degree in Turfgrass Management from The Ohio State University and began his career as a golf course construction superintendent, working on new builds and renovations in Texas and Wisconsin. Maravich later joined LESCO Inc., where he spent nine years in sales, technical, marketing, and product management roles, before expanding his experience on the manufacturer side of the industry with leadership positions at Arysta LifeScience and Sipcam Agro USA, overseeing sales and marketing for fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. His work has focused on strategic planning, market analysis, portfolio development, and business growth, including licensing partnerships and supplier relations. Maravich currently serves as the national strategic lead for the Turf and Ornamental segment at Ewing Outdoor Supply, a fourth-generation, family-owned company, where he supports portfolio management, education, marketing, and sales strategy. He has served on the boards of RISE, Project EverGreen, and other industry trade associations.
Brandon Sheppard
Board Member
Brandon Sheppard is an entrepreneur, attorney, and government affairs leader with extensive experience advocating for the lawn care and landscape industry across the United States and Canada. He currently operates eight Weed Man lawn care franchises across the mid-Atlantic and Gulf States. Sheppard is the immediate past President of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and serves on its Board of Directors, having previously chaired the association’s Government Affairs Council. In that role, he helped guide the industry through key regulatory and policy issues, including equipment electrification, H-2B workforce challenges, and fertilizer and pesticide regulations. A longtime supporter of NALP’s Renewal and Remembrance program, Sheppard has volunteered with the initiative for more than two decades and is widely recognized for effectively representing the industry before elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels.
Jordan Houser
Board Member
Bio to come
Dan Carrothers
Board Member
Bio to come
Cam Cundiff
Board Member
Cam Cundiff is currently the Director of Administration at Weed Man Lawn Care, where he leads the strategic intersection of data integrity and customer experience. Cundiff earned dual degrees in Accounting and Business Administration from MidAmerica Nazarene University (KS) and has proudly worked in the industry for 20 years. Cam and his daughter, Ellie, currently reside in Kansas City, MO where they spend as much of their free time coaching and playing soccer.
Advisory Council
Joe Shooner – Focal Point Communications
Steve Cohen – GreenMark Consulting Group
Roger Phelps – Roger Phelps Consulting, LLC
Kristine Esdale – Growmark FS
Paul Fox – Atticus
Den Gardner – Gardner & Gardner
Norman Goldenberg – Namrom Consulting
Warren Gorowitz – Hunter Industries
Darren Gruner – Turf’s Up Radio/TotalScape Design
Elizabeth Housey – Premier Group Associates
Kevin Laycock – PBI- Gordon
Marnie Wells – The Toro Company
Doug Obermann
Brad Seipel – M/A/R/C Research
Kristen Shumaker – Allied Nutrients
Mike Sisti – Envu
Dave Szy – GIE Media
Steve Trusty – Trusty & Associates
Shayne Wetherall – AMGUARD
Alan White – Turf Systems
John S. Winkleman – Columbia University
Staff
Cindy Code
Executive Director
Cindy Code was named Executive Director in January 2011 after serving on the board of directors since 2003. For nearly 30 years, she has been a proactive communicator and journalist within the green industry community. Code’s reputation was established through her two-decade tenure at Lawn & Landscape magazine. In her roles as editor, account manager, publisher and Internet content manager, she was a respected communicator and active participant within the industry. She is an advocate of communicating the many benefits of yards, parks and green spaces, and has demonstrated this through community revitalization projects across the country.
Code joined GIE Media after graduating from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism. She is an award-winning journalist honored by the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association, the American Society of Business Press Editors and the Cleveland Press Club for her numerous contributions to the field.
Ki Matsko
Program Director, GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops
Ki Matsko, is a graduate of Lake Erie College in Ohio. She has been the program director of GreenCare for Troop and SnowCare for Troops since 2014 and has been a military advocate throughout her life as the daughter of a WW2 veteran. Both her oldest son and daughter in-law are West Point graduates and currently serve as officers in the Army.
In her position, Ki works daily with military families and volunteers throughout the country to answer questions and serve as a liaison between the two. She resides in the Cleveland area with her husband and four dogs and is the proud mother of two sons and a daughter.
Shelley Kane
Program Manager, GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops
As a dedicated Program Manager for GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops (GCFT/SCFT), Kane works to connect military families with compassionate volunteers across the nation. She values building strong relationships with both families and volunteers, ensuring they always have a real person to turn to—whether during the registration process or while setting up services after a match has been made.
Beyond her core responsibilities, Kane enjoys contributing to GreenCare for Community projects and eagerly anticipates new opportunities to make a difference.
A proud graduate of Lakeland Community College, Kane resides in the Cleveland area with her husband and two beloved dogs. She is also a devoted mother to two daughters.
Hannah Degner
Program Manager, GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops
As a military spouse who has supported multiple deployments, Hannah Degner understands firsthand the stress, uncertainty, and responsibility placed on families during times of military service. These lived experiences fuel her compassionate, people-first approach in all areas of her work whether she’s supporting clients, connecting with military families, or managing the demands of daily life. She leads with empathy and is driven to make a meaningful difference, one connection at a time.
Degner holds a degree in music and business from Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin.
Jeff Fenner
Communications Strategist
Jeff Fenner brings more than 25 years of experience as an award-winning journalist and marketing professional to Project EverGreen. He is responsible for overseeing Project EverGreen’s branding efforts, website content, social media platforms and public relations outreach. Fenner is a partner in B Communications and has previously worked at GIE Media and Meister Media.
