People News

GCBAA elects officers, appoints committee heads

At its winter board meeting, The Golf Course Builders Association of America elected the following officers to two-year terms: president--Bob Pinson; vice president--Mick Jones; secretary--Ellen Davis; treasurer--Steve Christman; president-elect--Dave Munkvold; past president--Tom Shapland.

In addition the following members were appointed as chairman of GCBAA Committees:

• Architect liaison committee: Robert Pinson, Course Crafters Inc.
• Budget committee: Rick Boylan, Mid-America Golf & Landscape, Inc.
• Communications committee: Willie Slingerland, Flowtronex
• Education and speakers committee: Oscar Rodriquez, Weitz Golf International
• Fundraising committee: David Zipps, Caterpillar, Inc.
• Government and environmental affairs committee: Kurt Huseman, Landscapes Unlimited
• Member benefits committee: Steve Sakurai, Rain Bird Corp., Golf Division
• Meetings committee: (co-chairs) Steve Christman, Eagle Golf & Landscape Products and Ellen Davis, Waupaca Sand & Solutions, SportZmix Solutions
• Nominating committee: Thomas Shapland, Wadsworth Golf Construction
• Rossi Award committee: Bob Bryant, Gordon Golf
• Rules and resolutions committee: Ellen Davis, Waupaca Sand & Solutions, SportZmix Solutions
• Summer meeting golf committee: Rick Elyea, JacklinGolf
• Strategic planning committee: Dennis Wagner, Kilpatrick Co.

Committee chairmen will select members to their respective committees from the general GCBAA membership.

Kinservik joins Jacklin's international sales team

Jim Kinservik has expanded his role at Jacklin Seed Co. by joining the international sales team. He will be responsible for various existing export accounts and will continue his previous duties within domestic markets.

Kinservik has more than 23 years experience at Jacklin and extensive knowledge of international procedures, shipping, operations, sales and marketing.

Packard named chairman of TCIA

Scott D. Packard, president and CEO of Wright Tree Service Inc., is the new the chairman of the board of the Tree Care Industry Association. Packard, who will serve a one-year term, began his service on the TCIA board in 2005.

Scott Jamieson, president and CEO of The Care of Trees, has joined the TCIA board of directors. He briefly served on the board from 2002-2004.

Ruppert honors employees

Several Ruppert Nurseries employees were honored recently at the company's annual banquet.  

"Presenting these awards gives us the opportunity to thank all of our employees for the contributions they make to our company on a daily basis," said President Chris Davitt. "These individuals have worked extremely hard and have excelled in their respective positions, overcoming challenges with positive outcomes." 

The Achievement Award, which recognizes the employee who has made a significant contribution in 2007 through outstanding job execution and high-quality results, was presented to Mike Ward, senior estimator for the Georgia landscape installation branch

The company’s top honor, the Clyde Vadner Merit Award, went to Richard Schubach, manager of the Maryland landscape installation branch. The award recognizes the individual who has contributed continuous, consistent, long-term hard work, dedication and job skill that has helped to shape the company. was the recipient

Impact Awards are given to the employee whose outstanding dedication and contributions have made a positive impact on their individual branch.  This year, there were 10 recipients:

• Lee Clarke, landscape division administrator
• Ken Ward, enhancement manager
• H. Savage, senior field manager
• Thor Grenier, area manager
• Drew Dumman, project manager
• Jason Kilmore, area manager
• Tim Basista, field manager
• Oscar Morales, tree spade operator
• John Kimball, senior field manager
• Justin Gibson, area manager