Mike Sisti
President
Mike Sisti has 20 years of sales, marketing, and management experience within the Green Industry. His background includes developing sales and marketing programs for several start-up lawn care companies, as well as launching and operating his own independent lawn and tree care business. In his career, he has worked with such organization as Lebanon Turf, J.C. Ehrlich Co., DuPont, Spyker, in additional to developing agronomic and marketing strategies for several start-up LCOs. He currently owns Weed Man of Montgomery County (Pa.).
Mike is an accomplished writer, having authored both technical and marketing articles for such leading Green Industry magazines as Landscape Management, Lawn & Landscape, and Golfdom. In addition to his turf knowledge, he is also a NJ Certified Tree Expert and an ISA Certified Arborist. Additionally, he has completed coursework in agronomy from Rutgers University and Penn State and holds an M.B.A. from Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ.
Bill Vogel
Vice President
Bill has been involved in the “green industry” his whole life. He grew up on a dairy farm just outside Milwaukee Wisconsin and later worked with his Dad in the family farm supply business. After graduating college with a degree in agronomy, Bill started the Spring Valley division of the family business to work with the lawn care, landscape and golf course markets. Spring Valley now ships throughout the US and the world supplying fertilizer and ice melter products. Supporting the industry, Bill has been on the boards of The Wisconsin Landscape Contractors, Wisconsin Green Industry Federation, Mid-Am Horticultural Trade Show, Project Evergreen and more. Married with three grown children, Bill enjoys his four grandchildren, snowboarding, biking and flying his plane.
Norman Goldenberg
Immediate Past President
Since 1997, Norm Goldenberg has held the positions of vice president, government/public affairs for TruGreen; vice president, government/public affairs, licensee relations and technical services for Terminix International; and senior vice president - Terminix International and TruGreen. With over 33 years of experience in the pest control industry, he has received numerous industry awards, including Lawn & Landscape magazine’s Guardian of the Environment and Trendsetting Contractor Awards and the National Pest Management Association’s Pinnacle Award. He was also named “One of the 25 Most Influential People in the Pest Control Industry” by PCT Magazine.
A board certified entomologist, Norm holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in entomology from the University of Florida. He was named “Member Emeritus” of the Advisory Council to the Entomology Program at Florida A & M University in 1991. Norm serves as an advisor to the EPA (State of Florida and State of Tennessee) as well as the Entomological Society of America, the Florida Entomological Society and the American Chemical Society.
Norman is celebrating his 50th year in the pest control and lawn care industries, and is President-elect of PLANET.
Thomas J. Delaney
Secretary
In addition to his work with Project EverGreen, Tom Delaney is director of government affairs for the Professional Landcare Network. He was with the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) for 15 years, during four of which he also served as executive vice president.
Prior to joining PLCAA, Tom spent 15 years as a state of Georgia pesticide regulator. During this time, he implemented the Treated Wood and Chemigation Programs for the state, which received national recognition. In 1994, he received Landscape Management’s Lawn Care Industry Person of the Year Award. In 2002, Tom was one of the recipients of the industry’s Leadership Award sponsored by Lawn & Landscape magazine and Bayer Environmental Science.
Kirk Hunter
Treasurer
T. Kirk Hunter is the executive director of Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), an international trade association of professionals involved in the turfgrass sod production industry.
Kirk served TPI as the education and meetings manager before being promoted to executive director. Growing up on a farm in Illinois, Kirk has always been actively involved in the agriculture industry. Prior to taking a position at TPI, he worked in ag machinery, ag buildings and ag chemicals. Kirk attended the University of Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy and a Master of Science degree in education. He also worked for the University of Illinois Horticulture Department on turfgrass disease programs and development of turf-related curriculum materials.
Alan White
President, Project EverGreen Canada
A proud Canadian, Alan White is the current president of Project EverGreen Canada and owner of Turf Systems Inc. based in Burlington, Ontario.
With over 18 years of business experience Alan truly believes in maintaining and preserving green spaces for all to enjoy. This belief has kept Alan busy both in business and representing the Canadian Landscape Industry. His efforts have included helping develop the IPM Accreditation Program in Canada as an active member on the IPM Council of Canada’s board of Directors and In 2004 was elected to the Provincial Board of Landscape Ontario.
Alan embraces many of the challenges facing the green industry today and views them as opportunities for the future. His passion for Project EverGreen has no borders. As president of Project EverGreen Canada, Alan feels together we can make a difference globally in ensuring green spaces remain part of our environment and our future.
Cindy Code
Executive Director
Cindy Code is president of B Communications, a green industry consulting and communications firm. For more than 22 years she has been a proactive communicator and journalist within the green industry community. Code’s reputation was established through her two-decade tenure at Lawn & Landscape magazine. In her roles as editor, account manager, publisher and Internet content manager, she was a respected communicator and active participant within the industry. Code joined GIE Media after graduating from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism. She is an award-winning journalist honored by the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association, the American Society of Business Press Editors and the Cleveland Press Club for her numerous contributions to the field. In addition to being Executive Director of Project EverGreen and manages communications and Web content for a number of green industry clients.
Den Gardner
Board Member
Den Gardner is past executive director of Project EverGreen and now serves in a consulting role for the organization. Gardner has spent more than 25 yearss working in the green industry, first as the founder and current executive director of a national marketing association for green industry trade publications and marketers (TOCA), consulting in marketing communications in the Green Industry and now as a consultant for Project EverGreen. Gardner has worked in association management, marketing communications and the media throughout his 38-year business career. He has won numerous state and national writing and marketing communications awards. He has a passion for all that’s green (including golf and baseball) and travels the country promoting the benefits of healthy green spaces. He works and resides in New Prague, Minn., 45 minutes southwest of the Twin Cities.
Dan Carrothers
Board Member
Recently apppointed as Business Unit Manager for the Pest Control Solutions (PCS) group for BASF, Dan Carrothers has responsibility for managing the overall pest control business including termite and general insect. Dan is located at their St Louis site which is designated as the Pest Control Center of Excellence for BASF. Dan has responsibility for the sales, marketing, regulatory, R&D and operations related to the pest control business. Prior to this, Dan was the chief operating officer (COO) for DATACORE Marketing LLC, with responsibility for managing all day-to-day operations as well as all operations employees; supporting quality control, client services, and business development; and overseeing the processes for hiring, training, and retaining employees as a member of the senior management team.
Prior to Dan’s role at BASF and DATACORE, Dan led the Green business for Bayer Environmental Science in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Dan has also worked in various roles with both Monsanto Canada Inc. in Winnipeg as well as Esso Petroleum Canada in Winnipeg, Toronto, and Edmonton.
Dan is married to wife Kim and they have two children; Lindsay and Ryan. They recently became grandparents for the first time with the arrival of Lily in July of 2010.
Scott Frith
Board Member
Since 1995, Scott Frith has held several positions at Lawn Doctor, Inc., currently serving as their Vice President of marketing and franchise development.
Scott has a BA from Seton Hall University and a MBA from Fordham University. Mr. Frith is an active member of the International Franchise Association, where he has earned his Certified Franchise Executive designation and currently serves as the Chairman of the marketing and public relations committee.
Frith has been featured in numerous business and industry publications, including; The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Brand Licensing magazine, Direct Marketing magazine, Landscape Management magazine, Lawn and Landscape magazine, Turf Magazine, and Grounds Maintenance magazine.
Phil Fogarty
Director
Phil Fogarty began working in the green industry in 1980 when he purchased Crowley’s Lawn Service from entrepreneur and inventor Tom Crowley. Crowley’s grew substantially by offering a variety of services including residential and commercial lawn care, industrial and residential vegetation control, tree and shrub treatments and outdoor pest control. In late 1997, Phil negotiated a merger of the lawn, tree and shrub portions of the company with Scott’s Lawn Service. After an 18-month assignment with Scott’s Lawn Service as a consultant, Phil resumed management of Crowley’s Vegetation Control and established the initial WEED MAN Franchise in the Cleveland area in early 2000.
Phil operates Growing Opportunities LLC., the Master Franchiser of the Weed Man system in Ohio, Pennsylvania and upstate New York. Growing Opportunities, LLC. offers franchise opportunities and currently supports 13 franchise partners in over 40 territories.
Phil Fogarty lives in Munson Township, Ohio with his wife Sally and their four boys.
Margaret Bell
Director
Margaret received a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Chemistry from North Carolina Agricultural &Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina and has over 30 years of experience leading internal and external marketing communication teams. Throughout her career, Margaret has focused on company and product brand management and developing communication strategies to support business goals and objectives.
During her time at Syngenta, Margaret has worked in the Crop Protection business as well as her current role as senior marketing communications manager in Turf & Landscape. In addition to her consistent voice for Syngenta as a member of the Industry Advisory Council – Golf Course Superintendent Association (GCSAA), Diversity Task Group – GCSAA, vice-president on the Turf and Ornamental Communicator board and board member of Project Evergreen she has been a regional director for Region V – National Agri-marketing Association, Carolinas/Virginia Chapter President and Vice-Chair Programs, C/V Chapter. Margaret is proficient at communicating with all levels of management, internal and external, as well as suppliers to develop and deliver marketing communication that meet business strategies and objectives.
Deborah Kuo
Director
Deborah joined HighGrove Partners in 2005. As Director of Customer Service and Marketing, she has spearheaded the company’s focus on becoming a customer-centric organization. Deborah led the company’s re-branding effort in 2006, which involved deploying new corporate messaging and generating a new brand image and website. Deborah’s vision is for HighGrove to be the “Nordstrom” of landscape companies and she has implemented a series of customer programs and feedback mediums as well as internal training initiatives to help achieve this goal.
Deborah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising with a minor in Psychology from the University of Illinois. Her background includes broad experience in various areas of marketing and customer service in a variety of industries including financial services, insurance and software.
Prior to joining HighGrove Partners, Deborah served in senior-level marketing and customer service roles at Employease (now ADP Employease, Inc.). She was most recently the Director of Customer Service with responsibilities for leading and developing a team of Account Managers and Product Specialists.
Paul McDonough
Director
Paul G. McDonough is a Strategic Account Manager for Agrium Advanced Technologies.
Paul McDonough has over 30 years of green industry experience. Much of that experience has been in management roles with major green industry service and supplier companies.In addition to being a Project EverGreen past president, throughout his career, Paul has served in leadership positions for several industry associations including Government Affairs Chair for PLANET, president, Environmental Industry Council of CT., a founding board member of the Mass. Association of Lawn Care Professionals, president of the Ohio Professionals for Responsible Regulation and a board member the New England Agricultural Chemical Association. Additionally, he has served as an appointee on legislative and regulatory task forces related to industry issues in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Jeff Bollig
Director
Jeff Bollig studied business and sports administration at the University of Kansas and Wichita State. In 1996, after six years as director of media relations for the Big 8 Conference, Jeff became the director of communications for GCSAA. In his spare time, he directs a CYO basketball program and coaches youth sports.
Sean Casey
Director
Sean Casey is vice president of sales with Nufarm Turf and Ornamental. A graduate of Purdue University, Sean is actively involved with RISE and PLANET. He resides in Greenwood, Ind. with his wife, Ellen and two daughters, Lauren and Rachel.
Bryan Gooch
Director
Bryan Gooch has served as a marketing manager for coated products at Agrium Advanced
Technologies since January 2008. He is responsible for product marketing and management for
the POLYON® and DURATION CR® brands of coated controlled-release fertilizers, and PRECISE®
controlled-release plant protection products. In his position, Bryan assesses product performance,
provides direction on new product development and product line extensions, and manages
marketing strategies. He is also responsible for the new Spread it & Forget it™ product line of one application, controlled-release fertilizers.
Prior to joining Agrium Advanced Technologies, Bryan spent 10 years working at Bayer
Environmental Science in various sales and marketing management positions.
Bryan holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Turfgrass Management from
Virginia Tech and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina.
Mark Minatel
Director
Mark Minatel is Vice President – Commercial Products at Brinly-Hardy Company, manufacturer of Turf, Lawn and Land Care Equipment for the professional and consumer markets. Mark held the position of President at Spyker Spreaders before its acquisition by Brinly in August 2008. Previously, Mark served as Vice President of Sales at Spyker. Mark has more than 20 years of Marketing, Sales and Management experience in manufacturing, with the last 10 years in the green industry. His career includes multiple industry awards for sales excellence in domestic and international markets. Mark is a graduate of the University of Dayton and resides in Louisville with his wife, Diana, and their three sons.
Sarah Monke
Director
Sarah Monke is the director of public affairs and PAC coordinator at The Fertilizer Institute, where she is responsible for producing and distributing the Institute’s weekly membership newsletter; developing Institute brochures and materials; and coordinating activities and outreach efforts associated with TFI’s political action committee FERT PAC.
Monke joined TFI in 2008. Previously, she worked as the communications assistant at CropLife America. Monke received a bachelor of journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Rich Kalik
Director
Rich Kalik is based in Pittsburgh, where he serves as Northern Regional Sales Manager at BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals. Rich joined BASF in 1993 and has served as marketing manager, national accounts manager and regional sales manager for the Turf & Ornamentals group.
Jose Milan
Director
Jose Milan has spent nearly 30 years in the Green Industry, holding numerous national and international senior marketing and product branding positions at two major chemical companies. He currently is director of Turf & Ornamental Operations for Bayer in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. A Puerto Rico native, Milan is active in many Green Industry associations, including
Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (Vice-President for 7 years), Golf Course Superintendent Association of America, American Nursery and Landscape Association (Committee Member), Professional Lawn Care Association of America (Committee Member), Turf Producers International (Committee Member),
Society of American Florists, American Landscape Contractors Association,
Sports Turf Association, Professional Grounds Maintenance Society, and
Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (Committee Chair). He is active in his community and church.
Mark Miller
Director
Mark Miller learned the turf and ornamental business literally from the ground up. He began his career 30 years ago with ChemLawn Corporation as a spray technician, advancing to branch manager. Mark joined the PBI/Gordon employee owners over 20 years ago as a territory sales representative, later moving to the position of regional manager and eventually to Vice-President of Professional Product Sales. He is a member of GCSAA and is involved with RISE and PLANET. Mark received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Delaware in 1979, and remains a loyal fan of the Blue Hens.
Patti Niewoehner
Director
Patti Niewoehner is director of marketing services for Phoenix Environmental Care LLC, a value-added products company firmly committed to environmental and product stewardship. Her responsibilities include managing the company’s customer service, advertising and public relations programs.
Patti earned her business degree from Valdosta State University and joined Union Carbide’s Ag Division where she worked in sales and field development. She also marketed fungicides in the peach markets of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Patti spent several years with Sandoz Crop Protection as a territory manager in North Carolina, where she spearheaded new product launches and received the “Bell Ringer” award for outstanding sales results.
Patti worked with Griffin L.L.C. for eight years as manager, marketing services and later became herbicide product manager. At Griffin, Patti was named Sales Support Person of the Year. Patti is also active in her home community and has served on the Brooks County Zoning Committee and with the local victim assistance program.
Steve Trusty
Director
Steve has been active in the green industry for over 50 years. He has a B.S. in horticulture from Iowa State University. He and his wife, Suz, live near Council Bluffs, Iowa. They have operated Trusty & Associates for 31 years, supplying communications, market research and photography to the green industry. They are retail correspondents for Nursery Retailer and GardenChic magazines and contributing editors for SportsField Management Magazine. They are also frequent contributors to many other green industry publications.
Steve has hosted radio call-in shows on gardening, supplied gardening segments for TV and written newspaper columns. He is also a member of the Garden Writers Association. Besides Project EverGreen, he has served on the boards of a number of different green industry associations and currently serves on several committees. Throughout his life, he has been committed to helping people get more enjoyment - in an environmentally friendly way - out of their contacts with the turf and ornamentals that make up the green space of our environment.
James Nelson
Director
Jason Nelson is the portfolio marketing leader for Turf, Ornamental and Technical products at Dow AgroSciences. Jason is a veteran of more than 14 years with Dow AgroSciences and has held various sales and marketing positions.
Jason earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University.
Murray Wingate
Director
Murray Wingate is the Turf Grass Marketing and Sales Manager at Lebanon Turf products, the professional products division of Lebanon Seaboard Corp. He has been involved with Turfgrass sales, marketing, and production for over 20 years. Murray grew up on a dairy farm in the Finger Lakes region of New York and has worked in agriculture or horticulture his whole life. He holds a degree in Agronomy for SUNY Cobleskill and is a Certified Turfgrass Professional from the PLCAA/University of Georgia program.