Episode 168: Toro Grounds Leadership Podcast Tour- James Hlavaty, Pioneer Athletics Product Manager

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.

Be sure to check out the first episode of 2025 with one of our favorite people, Max Casper, the newly hired Head Groundskeeper of the Reno Aces. It was such a fantastic conversation about the exciting start in Max's new role and his aspirations for the future. He has a unique journey into the industry that shows how important mentorship is for those unaware of the sports field management industry. You do not want to miss this episode! Be sure to check out the Toro Booth at SFMA this year.

We are excited to have one of our future industry leaders, Drew Selensky from Texas A&M. We had a great conversation about the future of our industry and the impact that he is having on it through his work on social media of developing a brand where not only are we ushering in the next generation but creating awareness of all the incredible work sports field managers have no their communities local and national. You do not want to miss an incredible episode with an even better human being.

We are excited to officially announce this historic partnership of the Brentsville Turf Toro Grounds Academy. In this episode, we dive into the journey to get to this point where we are looking to change the outlook of the turfgrass industry. With our shared vision, we aim to cultivate the next generation of turfgrass managers in all areas of the industry. You do not want to miss this one!

In this episode, we have a rising star in the industry, Ben Hartman of the Witchita Wind Surge. Such an amazing conversation with an awesome human being with a real passion for the industry. We also talk about the future generation and our role in creating the best opportunity moving forward. Be sure to check it out.

We stopped in Ames, Iowa, to visit with one of our favorite industry professionals, Joe Hill, and record a Joe Rogan-type Podcast with the longest episode recorded in Tiger Turf Talk history. You do not want to miss this incredible episode, which speaks to this incredible industry and the future that we should be striving for.