Groundskeeper Chats

Live from OTF: Groundskeeper Chat with Brian Hall

Longtime friend of our show, Brian Hall, joined Meg and Chris in Columbus to receive his praise for helping us make the OTF live show a reality! Brian recapped a transformative year for the industry organization and all the exciting things to come! 

A little bit more about our guest...
Brian Hall is the Facilities and Maintenance Director at Sylvania Recreation and Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Treasurer

Live from OTF: Groundskeeper Chat with Pam Sherratt

A guest who has been at the top of Meg's wish list, Pam Sherratt, joins us in Columbus for her first Groundskeeper Chat! Pam is the ultimate boy mom, OSU pillar and industry advocate and we were thrilled to hear her full turf origin story and much more in this week's #GroundskeeperChat: 

• OSU at the core of Pam's career 
• Meg's pitch to be a parent chaperone 
• People and creativity 
• OTF central to Pam's network 
• Pam's favorite student 

A little bit more about our guest... 
Pam Sherratt has been a Turfgrass Specialist with The Ohio State University for almost 30 years. She has played a large role in empowering the next generation of turfgrass professionals by being at the helm of OSU and groups like OTF and SFMA. 

Live from OTF: Groundskeeper Chat with Andrew Northeim

Andrew Northeim, Senior Head Groundskeeper for the Columbus Crew, joined us at the Ohio Turfgrass Conference to talk all things turf—from industry advocacy to preparing fields on the world stage ahead of the World Cup.

In this episode, we cover:

- A rapid recap of Andrew’s turfgrass origin story

- OTF 2025 at a glance

- How Andrew strives for balance on and off the field

- Building a strong network and tapping into industry resources

A little bit more about our guest: Andrew’s story is Ohio to its core. A graduate of The Ohio State University’s Turfgrass Science program, he has spent nearly 12 years with the Columbus Crew, helping maintain one of the top playing surfaces in the league.

Live from OTF: Groundskeeper Chat with Beth Guertal

• Beth Guertal's Turf Origin Story 
• A Career that people stumble upon 
• The 3 ways that industry groups have impacted Beth's career 
• Network of champions 
• The evolution of our industry, good vs bad 

A little bit more about our guests...
Beth Guertal was a longtime professor at Auburn University in Turfgrass Management. Now with Kansas State University, Beth specializes in research in soil fertility that helps move our industry forward.

Live from OTF: Groundskeeper Chat with Ryan Margraf

We kicked off another Live series with Ohio Turfgrass Foundation President, Ryan Margraf. Margraf shared his turf origin story and recapped a year of transformation for the industry group. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:

- Two decades with The Motz Group

- OTF going out on their own

- OTF/OSU Partnership

- How OTF has helped Ryan outside of work

A little bit more about our guest... Ryan Margraf has been with The Motz Group for over 20 years and he has a passion for moving our industry groups forward.

Live from Louisville: Groundskeeper Chat with Jeff McManus

Jeff McManus is the Executive Director of Campus Grounds and Landscape at the University of Texas. Before joining the UT team Jeff was with Ole Miss for 25 years. During that time Jeff built his philosophies on team building and turning weeders into leaders. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:

- The Pride, Passion and Purpose behind our workforce.

- Turning Weeders into Leaders

- Your PGMS network saves you from making expensive mistakes

- Breakfast of Champions

- Knowing what Table You're at and What Language is Being Spoken

 

A little bit more about our guest... Jeff McManus is an author, lead cultivation officer and inspiring industry veteran. Jeff is an alumni from Auburn University, where he discovered a love for a career in the professional groundskeeping industry. Today, he is a reputable leadership motivational speaker and team building expert.

Live from Louisville: Groundskeeper Chat with Joe Kovolyan

"You'll know if Joe is in the building"... The larger than life grounds personality Joe Kovolyan joined Meg to help close out the PGMS Groundskeeper Chat series. Joe shares his turf origin story and much more in this week's episode. 

• OG New England Crew 
• Turf Origin Story, from sports turf to grounds 
• 100th President of PGMS 
• The lifeline of PGMS + SFMA 

A little bit more about guest...
Joe Kovolyan is the Director of Landscape Services Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at the University of Missouri.

Live from Louisville: Groundskeeper Chat with Bill Quade

Bill Quade, Director of Horticulture at The Biltmore Company, joins Meg for another PGMS conference live episode in Louisville. Bill shares how being involved in groups like PGMS keeps you adding resources into toolkit long into your career. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:

• Advocating for Professionalism 
• Advocating for yourself and for the industry 
• "other duties as assigned" 
• almost 3 decades with Biltmore Company 

A little bit more about our guest... 
For 27 years Bill Quade has been with the Biltmore Company. Today, he is the Director of Horticulture with The Biltmore Company and long time member and advocate of the Professional Grounds Management Society. 

Live from Louisville: Groundskeeper Chat with DJ Hart

DJ Hart with the City of Brewer joins Meg in Louisville to reflect on his gratitude for a career in the turf industry. He shares a powerful story about how his work allows him to impact people’s lives at many different stages. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:

- DJ Hart's Turf Origin Story

- The impact of PGMS on DJ's career

- A job that changes with the tide

- The impact you can have on someone's day

A little bit more about our guest... DJ Hart is the Superintendent of Park, Cemetery and the Waterfront for the City of Brewer, Maine. After having a career in teaching, DJ sought a change and found a passionate career in the green industry.

Live from Louisville: Groundskeeper Chat with Phil Richey

Phil Richey grew up on Michigan State's campus and raised in the world of horticultural. He knew from an early age that he'd follow in his family's foot steps and find a career in the green industry. Phil has called Purdue University home for almost two decades now. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode: 

• Phil's Turf Origin Story 
• "other duties as assigned"
• Data and speaking the language 
• The impact of PGMS 

A little bit more about our guest... 
Phil Richey earned his horticulture degree from Michigan State University before running his own grounds business. Phil was a Grounds Manager at Purdue University for 15 years before being promoted to Director of Grounds. Phil has been a PGMS member since the 1990's!