Groundskeeper Chats

Performing Under Pressure: Groundskeeper Chat with Max Casper

Head Groundskeeper for the Reno Aces, Max Casper, joined us mid-season to update us on his first year in the new role. A heavy events schedule and minor league baseball can be daunting but Max shares with us his keys to success. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat: 

• Reno Aces crew update 
• Banana Ball 
• Performing under pressure 
• Maintaining culture and positivity during long stretches of the season 

A little bit more about our guest... 
Max Casper is a long-time friend of the series, Meg was one of the first people Max met after stepping off the plane and arriving to his first SFMA in Savannah. Max had been with Reno Aces for several seasons as the assistant groundskeeper before stepping in his new role as Head Groundskeeper last fall. 

Groundskeeper Chat with Paula Sliefert

We welcome Sports Field Management Association's newest CEO, Paula Sleifert, to share her vision and excitement for the new role in this week's episode. Paula comes to the role with almost 20 years of experience in our industry and a passion for driving change that makes an impact. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:

• The philosophies and practices that have kept Paula rooted during major life and career changes
• Advice, guidance and support Paula received during her time of transition 
• What excites Paula most about this new chapter 
• The Paula Sliefert Listening World Tour 
• An open invitation to members 

A little bit more about our guest... 
Paula Sliefert is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Sports Field Management Association and Executive Director of the Professional Football Field Managers Association. Paula spent almost 18 years in sports turf and grounds management marketing space before accepting this new role. 

Groundskeeper Chat with Jordan Achay

the.j.sprays, Jordan Achay, joins Meg for a Groundskeeper Chat to share his turf origin story and passion for sharing the behind scenes of our industry. Jordan is California born and raised, rooted in his love for the beach and the outdoors. Full-time with the LA Chargers and his own sports field management business has given Jordan the opportunity to pack a lot of experience in the years since transitioning from baseball coach to groundskeeper. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:

- The man behind the.j.sprays

- Jordan's turf origin story

- Baseball to Groundskeeping

- Building a brand in the industry

A little bit more about our guest... What started with a flyer from a friend has led Jordan Achay to a fulfilling career in sports turf. Jordan has a masters in marketing and passion for helping build the brand of sports turf professionals with his Surface Series, episodes are available now! 

Groundskeeper Chat with Vince Jagodzinki

Stanley Black and Decker's Manager of Grounds and Field Testing, Vince Jagodzinski, brought us along for a day in his life in Valley City, Ohio! We sat down with Vince at the end of the day to hear his full turf origin story and the things that have kept him rooted in the industry since day one. Here's what you'll hear in today's #GroundskeeperChat: 

• A journey through Vince's career in the industry 
• Vince's pitch to the next generation or someone looking for their next adventure 
• How the turf industry has supported Vince in his career 
• Vince's philosophy that has kept him grounded throughout all the changes

A little bit more about our guest...
Vince Jagodzinski has spent decades in the green industry, what started as a landscape business with his brother evolved in a sports turf gig at the University level, which ultimately brought him to where he is today with Stanley Balck and Decker. Vince is an active member of PGMS and advocate for more grounds managers and crews to participate in industry associations.

Banana Ball: Groundskeeper Chat with Adam Virant

Straight from the source! We are joined by Director of Baseball Operations for The Savannah Bananas to chat about the whirl wind journey he's had with the team and his own turf origin story. Adam shares with us ouse of his favorite memories from the road and what he hopes resonates with groundskeepers when his team is in town. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat: 

• Adam Virant's turf origin story 
• The biggest curveball Banana Ball has encountered on the road 
• Building trust and communication with local field managers
• Typical day in the life during the Banana Ball World Tour 

A little bit more about our guest... 
Adam Virant is a coach for the Savannah Bananas and Director of Baseball Operations. His love for the sport and dreams to join the major leagues started at a young age while being raised in Nebraska. When joining the organization he dove head first into helping with the turf and learning about the complexity of it. Virant traded in his law books for baseball glove and never looked back!

Banana Ball: Groundskeeper Chat with Will Cole

Salem Red Sox's Director of Field Operations, Will Cole has always been on our radar and now he's making his first appearance on our Groundskeeper Chat series. Will brings vast experience to minor league baseball and has always found himself being pulled to sports turf. Will joined us days before his stadium welcomed the Banana Ball World Tour. Here's what else you'll hear on this week's episode: 

• How the Red Sox crew was preparing for Banana Ball 
• Will's turf origin story
• Will's mental health journey in minor league baseball 
• The importance of networking and being involved in industry associations. 

A little bit more about our guest...
Will Cole is the Director of Field Operations for the Salem Red Sox and President of Virginia Sports Field Management Association.

Groundskeeper Chat LIVE from PGMS

We joined the Professional Grounds Management Society's Regional Conference in Cleveland, Ohio for a LIVE Groundskeeper Chat. We were joined by six guests, all with engaging turf origin stories, who shared their passion for the industry and why groups like PGMS make it special. 

Tune in to hear from Eric Harshman, Michael Gildea, Vince Jagodzinski, Aaron Griffith, Bill Quade and Daniel Bangert. 

2025 Pioneers in the Field: Groundskeeper Chat with Maryanne Baglos

Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports, Maryanne Baglos gave us a world tour the morning we stepped into shoes for a day in life experience. Maryanne's 2025 Pioneers in the Field story started on a softball field with her dad, tune in for the rest of her special edition Groundskeeper Chat episode!

2025 Pioneers in the Field: Groundskeeper Chat with Kyle Leppelmeier

Longtime Toledo Mudhens, Head Groundskeeper, Kyle Leppelmeier joins us for his special edition Pioneers in the Field episode. We dive into Kyle's origin story, mentors along the way and what he hopes to give back to this industry each day he takes the field. 

2025 Pioneers in the Field: Groundskeeper Chat with Ryan Bjorn

Gillette Stadium's Field Superintendent, Ryan Bjorn, is a proud member of the Patriots and Revolution organizations. Join us for Bjorn's special edition 2025 Pioneers in the Field episode, where he takes us back to the very beginning of his turf story.