LEADERSHIP
SPREADING THE SEEDS OF PROGRESS AROUND THE GLOBE
Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) has members in almost every U.S. State and over 30 countries, bringing together seed producers, sod producers, equipment suppliers, manufacturers, educators, and others who have a passion for the turfgrass industry. Dedicated to our mission of “Promoting the global environmental benefits of natural grass through education and research,” TPI provides educational opportunities, field days and equipment demos, and material resources to members while also working in public relations, advocacy, and regulatory affairs that affect the natural grass production industry worldwide.
Staff

Casey Reynolds, PhD

Liz Lonsbrough

Geri Hannah

Steve Trusty

Allie Roed

Suz Trusty
I was encouraged to join TPI over 30 years ago, and it only took one conference to convince me that anyone serious about the natural grass industry needs to be a member. TPI coordinates efforts to improve, change, oppose, defend, support, or challenge anything that might affect our profession. I’m pretty sure that without the contacts and the education I’ve gained from TPI, that my family would not have survived 30 years of change in the sod industry.

Bob McCurdy
I’m a second-generation farmer and have been part of TPI since it started—the friends I’ve made and relationships I have are invaluable. TPI is the most important source of accurate information about the turf industry, and it has the ability to advocate for the sod farmer at any level. And they have the best bi-monthly publication, Turf News, I have ever seen!

Jim Keeven
TPI serves as one voice for and to the turf industry. It enhances and promotes turf while providing great networking opportunities. Our business has changed for the better because of ideas we learned at TPI!

Ronald Schiedel
TPI keeps me connected with my peers and allows me to stay informed on the latest issues in our industry. The organization has done a great job combatting false information relating to environmental impacts of our products.

Lindy Murff
The greatest benefit of TPI is the opportunity to network with and learn from my fellow producers from all over the world. TPI is the unified voice of the turfgrass industry, going to bat for our industry when it comes to public policy and programs. Over the past few years, several industry windfalls have occurred that would not have been possible without the dedicated TPI staff.

Wade Wilbur
TPI is the watchdog regarding environmental and regulatory issues that impact our industry. As a member, I get the opportunity network with other turfgrass producers, as well as educate myself and my employees on topics related to the turfgrass industry.

Eric Hjort
TPI is the only association that is promoting and advocating natural turfgrass. Along with education and industry awareness, TPI allows me to meet industry leaders that I learn from—and have become friends with.

Larry LeMay
I am thankful for the great opportunities TPI provides for meeting other turfgrass producers from around the world in a non-competitive atmosphere and bringing the industry together for conferences and field days. We would not have been able to develop our turf farms in the way we have over the last 30 years without our TPI membership.

Albrecht Knigge
Our farm has been a part of TPI through three generations. This vital organization brings together growers, suppliers, and educators to spark innovations that advance our industry. TPI also scans the horizon for unfriendly policies, then collects scientific data and feedback from producers to champion change or prevent those policies from taking effect.

Diane Mischel
TPI is the only organization devoted to sod and turfgrass farms, advancing the industry through education, protecting our operations from regulators, and promoting natural grass domestically and internationally. With all TPI accomplishes, this organization has helped put thousands of dollars into our business’s bottom line!

Daniel Huggett
TPI is the voice of sod producers to the rest of the industry—a critical watchdog, lobbyist, educator, and information hub. As part of TPI, I’ve met more respected peer leaders and learned more than I ever would have otherwise.

Adam Russell
Get Involved
The Lawn Institute Fundraising Committee
Responsible for developing fundraising activities for the Foundation and for helping to secure donations.
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TPI Representatives:
- Allie Shriver, Membership & Marketing Manager;
- Geri Hannah, Administrative Manager
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Committee Members:
- Wade Wilbur (Board Liaison)
- Jenny Carritt
- David Bradley
- Doug Lechlider
- Jason Pooler
- Bradyn Baty
- Bob McCurdy
- Ron Schiedle
The Lawn Institute Research Committee
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TPI Representatives:
- Casey Reynolds, PhD, Executive Director
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Board Liaison:
- Lindy Murff (Board Liaison)
- Duane Klundt (Chair)
- Jay McCurdy, PhD (Advisor)
- Aaron Patton, PhD (Advisor)
- Kevin Morris (Advisor)
- John Sorochan, PhD (Advisor)
- Spencer Mendenhall
- Sarah Nolte
- Steve Griffen
- Larry Lemay
The Lawn Institute Scholarship Committee
The Dr. Henry W. Indyk Scholarship was established to honor a founding father of Turfgrass Producers International while demonstrating TPI’s commitment to education and offering a valuable member benefit. The Scholarship Committee solicits, collects, and reviews Dr. Henry W. Indyk Scholarship applications annually. The committee members use objective criteria to select scholarship winners.
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TPI Representatives:
- Geri Hannah, Administrative Manager
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Committee Members:
- Bob McCurdy (Board Liaison)
- Greg Debuck
- Hugh Dampney
- Jenny Carritt
- Lindy Murff
- Jenny Carritt
- Ron Schiedel
Conference & Education Committee
Responsible for the development and coordination of educational programs for TPI events, including pre-conference seminars, panel/board discussions, general education and breakout sessions, and tours, along with the identification and recruitment of speakers.
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TPI Representatives:
- Casey Reynolds, PhD, Executive Director
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Committee Members:
- Larry LeMay (Board Liaison)
- Albrecht KniggeDeying Li, PhD (advisor)
- John Sorochan, PhD (advisor)
- Matthew McCarroll
- Linda Bradley
- Hank Kerfoot
- Graham Simmons
- Eric Webb
Membership Committee
Identifies new programs and strategies that expand TPI’s membership participation worldwide and increase the value of a TPI membership.
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TPI Representatives:
- Allie Shriver, Membership & Marketing Manager
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Committee Members:
- Daniel Huggett (board liaison)
- Hugh Dampney
- Graham Simmons
- Kelsey Sandbothe
- Erin Wilder
- Spencer Mendenhall
- Jim Keeven
- Albrecht Knigge
Public Relations Committee
Maximizes TPI’s effectiveness by developing marketing strategies that serve to educate the general public; convey beneficial information to producers, suppliers, and end-users; address specific environmental advantages or concerns; enhance and expand TPI’s relationships with turfgrass extension specialists, researchers, and educators; and develop, review, and revise various support materials specifically designed to achieve the intended objectives.
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TPI Representatives:
- Casey Reynolds, PhD, Executive Director
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Board Liaison:
- Ron Schiedel (board liaison)
- Matthew McCarroll
- Adam Russell
- Scott Sipes
- Mike Brown
- Linda Moyer
- Diane Mischel
Leadership and Innovations Committee
Cultivates connections with current TPI leaders to develop strategies for reaching new leaders, developing new TPI programs, and utilizing technology to push TPI initiatives forward.
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TPI Representatives:
- Allie Shriver, Membership & Marketing Manager
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Committee Members:
- Diane Mischel, (board liaison)
- Kelsey Sandbothe
- Erin Wilder
- Adam Russell
- Sarah Nolte
- Jack Karlin
- Wade Wilbur
TPI State and Country Representatives Council
Hello Casey!
In the doc you sent yesterday with the full member list, I noticed an extra Committee that we did not have in the leadership doc, could you write a few sentences for Julianne to work on so we have copy for it?
TPI State and Country Representatives Council
TPI Representative – Casey Reynolds, PhD
Committee Members – David Bryant (Michigan), Brent Batchelor (Texas), Daniel Huggett (Ohio), Tera Tvetene (Montana), Sarah Nolte (Iowa), Graham Simmons (Alabama), William Head (Tennessee), Michael Clausen (Rhode Island), Will Nugent (Florida), Tom Wolf (Alabama), Melanie Frigon (Canada)
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TPI Representatives:
- Casey Reynolds, PhD, Executive Director
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Committee Members:
- Diane Mischel, (board liaison)