Industry Update

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

UC Irvine Extension Launches Certificate Program

University of California, Irvine Extension launched its new Certificate Program in Sustainable Community Planning and Development, developed to meet the needs for interdisciplinary planning and development continuing education training that focuses on incorporating sustainability into community environments. The program is designed to provide the skills necessary to guide smart growth, identify sustainability best practices, implement public policy applications and enhance collaborations for commercial, mixed-use, residential, civic centers and parks from small to large metropolitan sites. To learn more about the program, visit www.extension.uci.edu.

Groundskeeper Execs Lead CAI in Two Markets

Deborah Cole and Taylor Haught are presidents-elect of the Community Associations Institute in their respective cities. Cole is president of Greater Texas Landscapes of Austin, Texas, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Groundskeeper. Haught is branch manager of the Groundskeeper Albuquerque office in New Mexico.

Back row, from left, Ken Shave, president Dallas Steiner, Trevor Ryan and Brian Carr. Front row, from left, inside sales and marketing manager Wayne Ressler, Brian Godwin, T.J. Clark and national sales manager Kevin Holland.

Ventrac Sales Force Expands

Ventrac announced the expansion of its sales force with the addition of several new members. With over 31 years of experience in the sales and outdoor power equipment industry, T.J. Clark, Brian Carr and Ken Shave have joined the current Ventrac sales team. They will be responsible for increasing sales and growing the Ventrac dealer networks throughout their designated territories.

PERC Hosts Workshop

The Propane Education & Research Council and the other members of the Alternative Fuel Trade Alliance continued their nationwide training program on alternative fuel at a workshop for fleet managers in Casa Grande, Ariz. It was part of a series of seminars made possible by a $1.6 million grant from the Energy Department. The workshops cover alternative fuel quality, infrastructure, available vehicles, safety, environmental impacts and latest technologies.

From left, Mark Hall, SnowEx director of marketing and sales, and John Fiorini, John M. Fiorini, Joe Nolan and Estelle Blush, all with Meadowbrook Parking Area Contractors.

SnowEx Gives Away Spreaders at SIMA Symposium

SnowEx gave away two free SR-210 wireless spreaders at SIMA’s 2010 Snow & Ice Symposium. The winners, drawn at random from a group of show attendees who registered at SnowEx’s booth, were John Fiorini of Fioland Contracting, West Babylon, N.Y., and Scott Carson of Piscataqua Landscaping Co., Inc., Eliot, Maine.

Groundskeeper & IFMA Release Guide

The Groundskeeper and the IFMA Foundation announced the release of “Sustainable Landscaping,” a practical guide on how to introduce and advance sustainable practices in landscaping. The guide, sixth in the foundation’s sustainability guide series, is available as a free download at www.ifmafoundation.org or www.groundskeeper.com. It provides an overview of several key areas, including design, construction, maintenance, guidance on making the business case for sustainability and case studies.