TOCATalk – Summer 2013

Portland Meeting: A Positively Weird Event

By Den Gardner
Executive Director

Portland. One of the mantras in Oregon’s biggest city is “Keep Portland Weird,” and TOCA members found out all about this great city during its 24th annual meeting – which was TOCA’s second largest in attendance in its history. TOCA is always up for being “weird” at the right times.

Try these items on for size:

1. Every menu I looked at said: “Gluten-free bread available upon request.” Really?

2. How many cities have a donut shop called Voodoo Donuts – where the “magic is in the hole” and you can only pay cash for your donuts? And you have to wait in a long line at 8 p.m. at night to get a donut? Wow, the wait was well worth it!

3. Weather? Spring can be marred by rainy days and mid-60s temps the majority of the time. TOCA members saw sunny skies and mid-70s to low 80s every day. The week after? You got it – wet and chilly. Huh?

4. Looked to fill up my gas tank in my rental car on the way to the airport heading home to the Twin Cities after the meeting. I got out of the car and there was my own personal “gas filler-up person” at my disposal. Two states in the country refuse to allow consumers to pump their own gas. New Jersey is the other. And I asked the guy if I was supposed to tip him. He said, yes! So, naturally, I did.

5. Look out for the bikers. I got up and ran each morning about 6 a.m. (except golf day of course). And I thought bikers owned the road in Minnesota. These people were fanatics. You put your life in your own hands by being a pedestrian (or jogger) in this town.

6. Our theme – Good Things Are Brewing – was a natural – especially when one restaurant had 150 brands of beer for sale. I’m sure our members tasted quite a few.

But that was only the sideshow to the main event, which saw 70+ members get a positive overdose of professional development, fabulous food, recognition for tremendous work during our awards banquet and so much more. As one of our members so aptly described it: “TOCA meetings are like a family reunion – only you like everybody who’s there!”

Now, on with the re-cap of our 24th annual meeting.

First, thanks to the work of the program committee – Chuck Bowen and Christina Jesson. The program was well-received by our attendees and the survey results were very positive.

TOCA’s theme – Good Things Are Brewing — succinctly described the tone of the meeting. Some of the highlights:

  • Dr. Milt Engelke brought us up-to-speed on turfgrass research in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere.
  • The Green Industry issues panel of Bob Grover, president, Pacific Landscape Management; Debbie Kneeshaw, Portland Park and Recreation; and Jeff Segvich, LANE PR, agency for the Oregon Ryegrass, Tall Fescue and Fine Fescue Commission, enlightened us on Oregon turf and landscape issues. Thanks to Dan Zinkand for moderating the panel.
  • Ann Wylie of Wylie Communications returned in a three-peat performance on making B-B writing more creative.
  • Rita Emmett provided many tips on preventing procrastination through better organization in your business and personal lives.

Golf, Tour Wednesday Morning

Golfers enjoyed a wonderful round of golf at the Stone Creek Golf Club in nearby Oregon City, OR. The course brought us all to our knees. Through it all, the team of Phil Fogarty, Jeff Cull, Dan Gardner and Den Gardner eked out the win. Two teams tied for second – Scott Hollister, Scott Kinkead, Joel Jackson and Kyle Rubeling; and Jim Becker, Fuzz Martin, Seth Jones and Tom Mentzer. Through the scorecard tiebreaker, the Hollister team finished in second.

Meanwhile, more than 30 members toured Pacific Landscape Management, a landscape design and build company owned by Bob Grover. Lunch followed at the Cornelius Roadhouse.

Other Wednesday Highlights

Wednesday’s program started with opening remarks from Board President McGavock Edwards and a review of the agenda/program for the two days.

TOCA then named Phil Fogarty of Weed Man and Crowley’s Vegetation Management as its 2013 TOCA Environmental Communicator of the Year. Fogarty was the 15th recipient of this award, sponsored by Project EverGreen, which recognizes individuals in the Green Industry for outstanding communications efforts regarding environmental issues.

Fogarty was lauded for his long-time volunteer work in the industry, including PLANET’s Renewal & Remembrance and leadership in starting Project EverGreen as just two of numerous examples of his outstanding record of communicating the importance of environmental issues to consumers across the country.”

Fogarty was nominated for the award by Marisa Palmieri, editor of Landscape Management magazine. “As a member of the green industry press, I’ve heard a few names surface time and again as those leading the charge to promote the importance of green spaces to our environment and economy. Yours always has been among them. Likewise, few people have championed giving back as you have, most notably with your efforts at Arlington National Cemetery.”

Norman Goldenberg, senior vice president, government affairs for TruGreen, readily endorsed Fogarty’s achievement. “There couldn’t be a better person selected to receive this honor. Your passion, enthusiasm and energy have led to many great accomplishments on behalf of our green industry.”

Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen said the organization “is committed to sponsoring this communication award because it’s a key representation of the organization’s mission to promote the benefits of green spaces. Phil has an uncanny knack for getting to the heart of an issue; particularly those involving the environment and the green industry. He understands the issues and can readily communicate the nuances to the audience he’s addressing.”

Fogarty was humbled by the award. “Thank you TOCA for being the unsung heroes of the Green Industry….and for making all of us better at our jobs and for making our industry bigger and for helping us help others to be better stewards of our environment,” he said. “You are so much more than communicators…you are all influencers of the future…a really, really bright one for the green industry.”

Previous winners have included: Mark Welterlen, Bill Love, Tim Doppel, Doug Fender, Allen James, Rod Dodson, Jeff Gullickson, Kevin Trotta, Helen Stone, Allied Golf Associations of Colorado, Drs. Larry Stowell/Wendy Gelernter, Christopher Gray, Anthony Williams and Dr. Frank Rossi.

Thursday Activities

A full day of terrific professional development followed on Thursday, thanks to Wylie and Emmett.

TOCA also announced its first Plant Health Writer of the Year award, naming Larry Aylward, editorial director of Superintendent magazine, the first winner. Sponsored by Bayer, the program is provided annually to an outstanding writer for excellence in plant health issues to the appropriate green industry audience through writing, including New Media, for a publication or publishing company. The winner of this program must be a TOCA member.

Aylward’s body of work in 2013 included a four-part series on plant health issues that focused on:

  • Water management,
  • The importance of water monitoring
  • Promoting sustainability from an educational standpoint
  • Weather and how it affects diseases in plants and turf.

It was noted that Aylward has been in the forefront of extensive writing in this area and his dedication to this issue is clear in his overall writing. “Thank you for this honor, which I’m honored to receive,” Aylward said. “I consider it a tremendous highlight in my 15-year career of covering the golf course maintenance industry. Plant health will be an ongoing subject covered in the magazine as it relates to sustainability, technology and other matters.”

A stipend of $1,000 was provided to Aylward to be used for professional development in the green industry. A selection committee chosen by the TOCA Board of Directors selected the winner.

“Larry is the ideal choice for this first award,” said Scott Welge, head of marketing for Bayer’s Professional Lawn and Golf businesses. “It’s vital in our environment today – that writers focus on plant health and keep end-users up-to-date and knowledgeable about

The afternoon program on Thursday concluded with the business meeting and award presentations for our most recent scholarship winner – Matthew McKernan, a sophomore at Kansas State University. McKernan attended the entire meeting. “This was an incredible learning experience,” McKernan said.

Highlighting the business meeting agenda was an update on TOCA’s Strategic Plan.

In the midst of our 24rd year, TOCA plan is moving forward in a systematic manner through its four sections (with board members as the liaison noted):

Membership – led by Jeff Cull and Jason Schmaderer

Corporate Sponsorships – led by Tom Mentzer

Professional Development – led by Debbie Clayton and Lacy Ravencraft/Chuck Bowen

Communication and Branding – led by Cindy Code

The major activity by the board this year was around membership. The following goals and tactics have been established for the next year:

  • The goal is 250 members by the end of 2015. TOCA membership increased from 170 in 2012 to 193 by mid-May. The membership committee set a goal of 225 by the 2014 meeting in New Orleans and 250 by the 2015 meeting.
  • Dan Gardner stepped down as membership lead for the organization because of other pressing duties. Gardner was recognized for his leadership in keeping the membership committee focused and dedicated to increasing its membership to reach its goals. “Dan will be missed,” said brother Den. “His work speaks for itself.”
  • Efforts between now and the fall will be to focus on the 25th anniversary celebration in 2014. The kick-off for the 25th anniversary will be at the GIE+EXPO breakfast. Each month leading up to the May meeting in New Orleans, TOCA will focus on one important aspect of the organization. Details will be forthcoming.

A second major accomplishment during the last year was the re-design of the TOCA web site. Phase I was a facelift, thanks to pro bono work done by Associated Integrated Advertising and Brian Schoenthaler. Work will likely begin this fall on Phase II, which will result in members being able to renew their memberships, enter contest payments and register for the annual meeting all online. In addition, efforts will be made to make the TOCA Facebook page more relevant and enticing for its members. And our twitter account was very active during the meeting by many of our members.

Business meeting highlights included:

1. Election and re-election of the board. They include:  Jason Schmaderer elected president; Scott Hollister, vice president; Lacy Ravencraft, re-elected secretary-treasurer; and McGavock Edwards, who will now serve two years as past president. Elected a new director was Patty Dimucci. Those re-elected directors are Jeff Cull, Dan Jacobs, Larry Aylward, Linda Frerichs, Linda Beattie, Scott Hollister, Chuck Bowen, Brian Schoenthaler, Debbie Clayton, Jason Schmaderer, Cindy Code, Felicia Gillham, John Reitman, Christina Jesson and Tom Mentzer.

2. TOCA’s annual revenue for 2013 will be about $118,000 and expenses approximately $114,000. In addition, TOCA maintains a healthy investment portfolio of approximately $88,000.

3. The 2014 meeting (our 25th anniversary) will be in New Orleans May 6-8 at the Hotel Monteleone. The 2015 meeting will be in Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis or Denver.

4. The TOCA writing, photography, design and new media contests had 360 entries, among the top five totals in its history. A new committee was formed – headed by Chuck Bowen – to review the contest and entertain suggestions at revising some of the categories for the future.

5. The GCSAA Breakfast reception at the Golf Industry Show (GIS) in 2014 will be in Orlando Wednesday, Feb. 5.

6. The Green Industry and Equipment Expo breakfast reception is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 a.m., in Louisville. Bayer is the sponsor of this breakfast.

7. The board agreed to continue its contribution to Project EverGreen, at the $2,500 level. This national alliance of end-user associations, companies and Green Industry suppliers educates and inform consumers about the benefits of well-maintained green spaces. TOCA publications and agencies are active in this 501c3 non-profit.

Syngenta Awards Banquet

To close out the 2013 meeting, the Syngenta Awards Banquet was another raucous affair, with excellent food and drink, surrounded by a slide show commemorating this year’s award winners. Thanks to the leadership of Kristine White of Performance Marketing, a masterful job was accomplished on the awards program. White and her colleagues also produced the printed program for the meeting.         

The TOCA board also commended Associate Director Barb Ulschmid for her tremendous work on logistics for the Portland meeting. Also, evil twin Dan Gardner was recognized for assisting with logistics.

TOCA thanks all of its sponsors for making the meeting possible. And remember, TOCA meetings always look to the future.  While we enjoy the camaraderie, appreciate the personal networking time you can’t get done at other trade shows, and enhance your professional skills through our workshops and be recognized for your communications skills through our contests, TOCA will always be about our family of editorial and marketing professionals.  A little dysfunctional, but isn’t every family?

Click here for the list of winners from the 2013 TOCA contest

Click here to view 2013 TOCA Meeting Photos, Portland, OR

 

Basking in the afterglow

By Jason Schmaderer
Associate Account Supervisor, Swanson Russell
President, TOCA Board of Directors

Since returning from our successful 24th annual meeting in Portland and finally coming to terms with my clear hipster deficit, I find myself in the mood to take stock of this band of green industry communicators we call TOCA. According to the theme printed on our brand new t-shirts, good things are brewing in this organization. And, at the risk of sounding too optimistic, I’m inclined to believe it. Here’s why:

1. Our annual meeting in Portland drew the second highest attendance in our 24 years.

2. Post-meeting surveys showed strong satisfaction with the location, activities and meeting content.

3. Overall membership is up nearly 25% over last year and is creeping toward record levels.

4. Our members represent roughly 75 different types of organizations that mutually benefit one another—publishers, manufacturer/suppliers, agencies, freelancers/associations.

5. We have nearly one year’s operating budget in reserve and a healthy income portfolio distributed appropriately between membership, sponsorship and programs such as our awards contest.

6. Our four core committees—professional development, sponsorships, membership and branding/communications—are engaged and active.

7. Members regularly step forward to take on projects such as website redesigns, annual meeting designs, membership calls, etc.

8. We deliver value. A survey distributed prior to the annual meeting to current TOCA members revealed that TOCA has enjoys a “best-in-class” net promoter score (+32%), which means we see collective value in the organization and are highly likely to recommend it to a friend or colleague.

Those of you who know me well are aware I like to dig into details. And the more I dig into TOCA, the more opportunity I see. Does this mean we can sit back and coast into our 25th year? Hardly. For every opportunity I see, there are associated challenges and hurdles. But, thanks to the hard work of the staff, past presidents and the tireless efforts of active members, we’re extremely well positioned to take this organization to the next level. During my tenure as TOCA president, we’ll continue to focus on providing a unique forum for green industry communicators to build relationships, expand their networks, share best practices, develop and improve core skills, recognize outstanding work, and—of course—have some good old-fashioned fun. (Possible new tagline: Keep TOCA weird.)

And that’s where you come in. Share your ideas and your vision, but be prepared to follow it up with your time. It’s going to require a collaborative effort to build upon our current momentum.  So, get involved. You can reach me at jasons@swansonrussell.com or 402-437-6421. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and ideas; just be prepared when I ask you to take the lead.

But know that I’ll be there you along the way. It’s an honor to serve as your new president, but more importantly, I look forward to telling Scott Hollister what to do for the next two years.

 

Website Update Ready for Phase II

By Brian Schoenthaler
Associated Integrated Marketing
TOCA Board Member

(Editor’s Note: The Phase One re-make of the TOCA web site was done on a pro bono basis by Associated Integrated Marketing in Wichita, KS. Brian Schoenthaler provides an update for TOCA members on the next steps.)

The launch of Phase One of the TOCA website resulted in a new look and organization of content intended to provide an enhanced user experience. The revised site makes use of WordPress and a content management system that enables the TOCA staff to have more control in updating the site’s content. PayPal is now used to accept credit card payments for such items as membership dues.

Phase Two of the website development is scheduled to begin in late fall or early 2014. . Improvements slated for this phase include an expanded payment system that will allow for seamless integration of all payable items such as membership dues, contest entries and annual meeting registration, including hotel and extracurricular activities for members and their guests.

Another enhancement includes a robust contest entry management system that is intended to allow members to fill out and submit multiple contest entries. It will allow members to upload PDFs of each entry. Entries may be processed and submitted individually or saved in multiple sessions that can then be entered at the same time.

Also scheduled for Phase Two is a membership system with enhanced login and password functionality. The membership system will provide each member with unique password protection. The system will respond with an email message to prompt anyone who forgets his/her username and/or password. Once logged in, members will have access to the membership directory and have the ability to update their contact information and photo. Group memberships will automatically be priced according to the first and all subsequent memberships within the same group.

Another upgrade for the website will make news, job postings and other information accessible only to members who have logged in. The intent is to entice non-members to join TOCA in order to enjoy the full benefits of becoming a member.

The end result will be a website that represents the professionalism and quality of TOCA’s members. Please let me know if you have any questions as we move into this new phase.

 

Phil Fogarty Named TOCA Environmental Communicator of the Year

Phil Fogarty of Weed Man and Crowley’s Vegetation Management has been named the 2013 TOCA Environmental Communicator of the Year. Fogarty was the 15th recipient of this award, sponsored by Project EverGreen, which recognizes individuals in the Green Industry for outstanding communications efforts regarding environmental issues.

Fogarty was lauded for his long-time volunteer work in the industry, including PLANET’s Renewal & Remembrance and leadership in starting Project EverGreen as just two of numerous examples of his outstanding record of communicating the importance of environmental issues to consumers across the country.”

Fogarty was nominated for the award by Marisa Palmieri, editor of Landscape Management magazine. “As a member of the green industry press, I’ve heard a few names surface time and again as those leading the charge to promote the importance of green spaces to our environment and economy. Yours always has been among them. Likewise, few people have championed giving back as you have, most notably with your efforts at Arlington National Cemetery.”

Norman Goldenberg, senior vice president, government affairs for TruGreen, readily endorsed Fogarty’s achievement. “There couldn’t be a better person selected to receive this honor. Your passion, enthusiasm and energy have led to many great accomplishments on behalf of our green industry.”

Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen said the organization “is committed to sponsoring this communication award because it’s a key representation of the organization’s mission to promote the benefits of green spaces. Phil has an uncanny knack for getting to the heart of an issue; particularly those involving the environment and the green industry. He understands the issues and can readily communicate the nuances to the audience he’s addressing.”

Fogarty was humbled by the award. “Thank you TOCA for being the unsung heroes of the Green Industry….and for making all of us better at our jobs and for making our industry bigger and for helping us help others to be better stewards of our environment,” he said. “You are so much more than communicators…you are all influencers of the future…a really, really bright one for the green industry.”

Previous winners have included: Mark Welterlen, Bill Love, Tim Doppel, Doug Fender, Allen James, Rod Dodson, Jeff Gullickson, Kevin Trotta, Helen Stone, Allied Golf Associations of Colorado, Drs. Larry Stowell/Wendy Gelernter, Christopher Gray, Anthony Williams and Dr. Frank Rossi

From left, Den Gardner, Phil Fogarty, Cindy Code.

 

Larry Aylward Named First TOCA Plant Health Writer of the Year

Larry Aylward, editorial director of Superintendent magazine, is the first winner of the TOCA Plant Health Writer of the Year program. Sponsored by Bayer, the program is provided annually to an outstanding writer for excellence in plant health issues to the appropriate green industry audience through writing, including New Media, for a publication or publishing company. The winner of this program must be a TOCA member.

Aylward’s body of work in 2013 included a four-part series on plant health issues that focused on:

  • Water management,
  • The importance of water monitoring
  • Promoting sustainability from an educational standpoint
  • Weather and how it affects diseases in plants and turf.

It was noted that Aylward has been in the forefront of extensive writing in this area and his dedication to this issue is clear in his overall writing. “Thank you for this honor, which I’m honored to receive,” Aylward said. “I consider it a tremendous highlight in my 15-year career of covering the golf course maintenance industry. Plant health will be an ongoing subject covered in the magazine as it relates to sustainability, technology and other matters.”

A stipend of $1,000 was provided to Aylward to be used for professional development in the green industry. A selection committee chosen by the TOCA Board of Directors selected the winner.

“Larry is the ideal choice for this first award,” said Scott Welge, head of marketing for Bayer’s Professional Lawn and Golf businesses. “It’s vital in our environment today – that writers focus on plant health and keep end-users up-to-date and knowledgeable about these issues.

From left, Den Gardner, Jode Milan, Larry Aylward.

 

Kansas State Student Wins TOCA Scholarship

By Steve Trusty

The winner of this year’s TOCA Scholarship is a horticulture major at Kansas State. Matthew McKernan is a Wichita, Kansas, native and is scheduled to graduate from the university in Manhattan, Kansas, in May of 2015. Besides the $2,500 scholarship, the recipient’s expenses and registration to the TOCA Annual Meeting are paid.  While college finals frequently interfere with our meeting, this year’s recipient was able to attend.

TOCA uses a variety of methods to get information out about the scholarship program. McKernan heard about the scholarship from a Horticulture Instructor and the Horticulture Department Weekly Newsletter. Candidates must file their applications online by March 1 each year. Applications must include two samples of their writing or editing, a personal letter as to why they should be considered, a resume, references and their college transcript.

In the case of this year’s winner, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. His father has worked for Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, in Wichita all of McKernan’s life. McKernan wrote in his letter, “He [father] has instilled in me his passion for plants and his enthusiasm for gardening, which I have taken and developed myself. … We both have continually grown together in our passion for plants.”

McKernan held many leadership positions during his high school days and continues to step up to leadership roles in the University’s Hort Club. He has also run is own landscaping company. He has honed his communication skills in a variety of ways, including a trip to Australia to enhance his skills in communicating with different groups of people of different cultures. He stated, “In all of these circumstances, communication has been the key to my success.”

At K State he is maintaining a 4.0 grade point average both in and out of his major. His writing samples scored high with each of the committee members. In introducing McKernan at the TOCA Annual Meeting, Trusty stated, “He is a true representative of the future of this great industry.”

The scholarship committee consists of Cindy Code, Felicia Gillham and Steve Trusty. Den Gardner is an ex-officio member. The committee independently reviews all of the required materials from each applicant and uses a scoring system to rate the applicants. The committee meets by conference call after they have had a chance to separately make their decisions on rankings. There were 6 applicants this year and all met the minimum standards, but McKernan stood head and shoulders above the rest. It was one of the shortest phone calls any committee member could recall in all their years on the committee.

The sponsors of the TOCA Scholarship program include; GIE Media, Golf Course Management, Green Media, Moose River Media, Randall Reilly and North Coast Media. Both McKernan and presenter, Trusty thanked the sponsors for making the program possible.

McKernan told attendees, “I appreciate the opportunity to meet so many communicators from such a broad spectrum of the green industry. You not only made me feel welcome, many have given me great advice and encouragement.”

At left, Mathew McKernan

 

A note from Matthew McKernan

Hello Steve,

Thank you again for the opportunity to attend the TOCA meeting. I had a great time, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to explore the Pacific Northwest. More importantly, though, I also enjoyed the opportunity to network with so many great people from across the industry. I was able to meet so many great people and everyone was so kind and welcoming that I felt right at home with the group. Even though the scholarship will greatly aid me in paying for my education, I know that the networking connections I was able to make will benefit me well into the future.

In addition, I really enjoyed listening to the various speakers that presented. Their topics were very practical and educational. No matter what area of horticulture I may eventually work for, there was a lesson to be learned that is very applicable to anything that I do.

Overall, the TOCA meeting was a great experience and a wonderful opportunity that I was blessed to be a part of. Thank you again to everyone who made my trip and my scholarship possible, and thank you to everyone who welcomed me and worked to make me feel included as part of the group!

Sincerely,
Matthew McKernan

 

The Professional Development Benefits at Tradeshows – Priceless!

By Polly Moter
GIE+EXPO

Attending industry events comes with the territory as a writer, editor, publisher or communications manager. They are hubs of industry chatter, innovation, news and development, and readers and customers rely on you for accurate information.

But, industry meetings and tradeshows like GIE+EXPO are also outstanding venues for your professional development. The obvious benefit is networking, but there’s more.  Lots more.

You can build tremendous industry cred by serving as a speaker or panelist. Doing so will not only challenge you but will also provide new contacts and may present unexpected career prospects.

If you’re looking to improve your skills, move into a better position or just learn a new way of doing things, find a mentor and arrange to shadow your mentor at industry events.  He or she can help you make other valuable connections.

Meeting with your peers provides a great opportunity to discuss challenges, conflicts, industry-related issues and innovations. Learning how your colleagues and competitors are troubleshooting can help you get around some of your own roadblocks.  And, exposure to other brands will most certainly provide inspiration for your writing and promotions.

Tradeshows are also great places to explore professional development opportunities by taking on a new project. If you usually report on industry news, you could try developing a feature with a narrower focus or on a related issue that can be explored at the event.  Or, you can volunteer for a different role or responsibility related to your company’s participation.  Video reporting or tweeting, perhaps?

Professional development doesn’t happen automatically. Be intentional about taking advantage of professional development opportunities at industry meetings, and you will see benefits for yourself and for your readers or customers.  So, start planning your strategy now for your next event.  I’m already working on my break-out evolution for GIE+EXPO in October.  See you there!

 

TOCA Member News

Professional Development
We need your help!

Calling all TOCA members: The professional development committee is already hard at work on next year’s big 25th anniversary meeting, but we need your help. We want to know what type of education, speakers and activities you want to see and do in New Orleans. Send any ideas to our chair, Lacy Ravencraft, at lravencraft@ewing1.com. Don’t miss this opportunity to speak up and help develop next year’s annual meeting.

 

Jeff Foxworthy, Grasshopper help combat-wounded veteran start new business with commercial zero-turn mower donation
Gift through Military Warriors Support foundation to benefit retired Marine Tom Trotter of West Melbourne, Fla.

The Grasshopper Company, manufacturer of commercial zero-turn riding mowers, recently donated a commercial zero-turn mower to Tom Trotter, a 28-year-old retired Marine from West Melbourne, Fla., in partnership with comedian Jeff Foxworthy and San Antonio-based Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF).

“We are extremely pleased to partner with Military Warriors Support
Foundation to donate this mower to Tom,” says Ruthanne Stucky, executive vice president at Grasshopper. “Grasshopper recognizes the sacrifice made by those who serve in our armed forces, and this is our way of showing appreciation and gratitude to our nation’s veterans.”

 

Calendar of Events | 2013-2014

October 23-25, 2013
Green Industry & Equipment EXPO (GIE + EXPO)
Kentucky Exposition Center
Louisville, KY

Friday, October 25, 2013
TOCA Breakfast Kentucky
Exposition Center, Room TBD
Louisville, KY

Wednesday, February 5, 2014
TOCA Breakfast
Golf Industry Show
Orlando, FL

May 6-8, 2014
25th annual TOCA Meeting
The Hotel Moneleone
New Orleans, LA

 

TOCA New Members – Welcome!

Mike Bigelow, Ewing Irrigation
Amanda Bostian, Jacobsen
Bill Brozak, Colle + McVoy
Jennifer Crane, Ewing Irrigation
Patricia Marie Crease, Ostara
Brian Hajas, Jacobsen
Amanda Hawley, Agrium Advanced Technologies
Morgan Jacobs, Agrium Advanced Technologies
Brandon Jaynes, Performance Marketing
Scott Kinkead, Turfco
Jenny Knuth, EPIC Creative
Tim Landwehr, Associated Integrated Marketing
Craig MacGregor, North Coast Media
James Masilak, Archer Malmo
Carter Matthews, Randall Reilly
LuAnn Monahan, The Toro Company
Adam Slick, Jacobsen