Episode 191: Toro Grounds Leadership Podcast Tour- Kennedy Ellis

The one that we all have been waiting for is this podcast with one of our good friend, Mr. Jordan Netzel of the Lawn Tools. We were able to make a trip out to a very special place of where the new Headquarters will be for the Lawn Tools where they are making something truly special! We also dive into the journey of how it all came to be and how we met along the way specifically, the impact that he has had on our program. Truly an incredible episode you do not want to miss!!

Be sure to check out our most recent podcast from our tour with one of our industry's future bright minds, Kennedy Ellis. It was so great catching up with her as she is spending the summer at the turf research center for her internship. You can tell how passionate she is about her research and her future as an educator. Be sure to check it out!

Our first stop on the 2025 Toro Grounds Leadership Podcast Tour was in Fayetville, Arkansas where we sat down with the Assistant Professor of the Arkansas Turf Program Wendall Hutchens. Great time catching up with one of the best people in the industry you will ever meet. We toured the research farm and all of the incredible work of the turf staff and students. An Episode you do not want to miss.

We are back with an awesome episode with a young industry professional, Whitney Mesi of Oklahoma Softball. She has an incredible story that has led her to this industry with a promising future. She also has awesome insight into taking risks and living your life to the fullest! Truly an incredible human being who I am so excited to see her future!

Be sure to check out our latest episode featuring newly named Dr. Travis Roberson from the Syngenta Company. We are thrilled to partner with the Syngenta Company, where we will be installing Spiio sensors throughout our facility at Brentsville. We were able to have Travis out to discuss the work he is doing with this innovative technologies and the impact that they can have on how we manage our turf. We also go the chance to reminisce on our days at Virginia Tech where we were students together. Awesome conversation with an even better person. Be sure to listen.

Talk about an episode that everyone needs to listen to. The incredible insight that Josh gives on his experience and how he operates at ASU is something that we all can benefit from. The culture that he has been able to create among his crew is something that is special and should be used throughout the industry. His priorities to himself, family, and crew members are truly inspiring. This is an episode that everyone needs to listen to.

We had the honor of having Andi on the podcast fresh off of her first trip to the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, where she received the incredible Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award. This is a great, authentic conversation with one of the most motivated industry professionals on the podcast with her unique journey to this point in her career. This is an episode you do not want to miss.

We were so excited to have industry leader Brad Finn on to talk about sports field management. We dive into his personal journey into the industry and how so many industry professionals played a role in his success. We also had the opportunity to debrief on the recent SFMA conference and the experience. This is an episode you do not want to miss.

We always love having friends on the podcast, but for this episode, we had the opportunity to have Tanner talk about the groundbreaking facility that is the future of golf in the TGL. The use of GameOn grass to facilitate a more realistic atmosphere in a stadium setting is truly something special. You do not want to miss this episode.

We are so excited to talk with the SFMA Professional Soccer Field of the Year winner, Mr. Aaron Fink. Just an awesome conversation about the growth of sports field management in Louisville and how he was there to open a new stadium for the MLS Expansion team. We also got into the significance of mentorship and how someone like Tom Nielsen impacted his career and how he carries his experiences better to mentor the next generation of Sports Field Managers. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Toro Booth at the SFMA Palm Springs. Be sure to look for the Grounds Leadership Academy application in the booth.