INDUSTRY NEWS
Kevin Miele, M. S., is the northeast field development representative for the Field Development Team. His territory covers all states from Virginia north and west to the Chicago area. Miele holds a master’ s degree in Plant Sciences and a bachelor’ s degree in Turf and Turfgrass Management from the University of Connecticut. Before joining PBI-Gordon in January 2025, he was the golf course superintendent at Windham Golf Course( Windham, Conn.).
Rutgers turfgrass pathologist wins Merle V. Adams Award
Ming-Yi Chou, turfgrass pathologist in the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology, won the 2024 – 2025 Merle V. Adams Award, which is presented to an assistant extension specialist faculty for excellence in extension and research. His extension program focuses on evaluating and developing efficient cool-season turfgrass disease management measures.
Since it was first presented in 1987, the Merle V. Adams Award has been given each year in honor of the long-term chair of the Agricultural and Resource Management Department and his dedication to the specialists and faculty he served.
Chou, whose tenure began in April 2023, is continuing to build Rutgers’ impactful turfgrass pathology program established by his predecessor, retired extension specialist Bruce Clarke, and working in collaboration with internal partners, such as the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, Center for Turfgrass Science and the Department of Plant Biology, and external stakeholders in the northeast and beyond. He currently directs the largest turfgrass disease control product evaluation program of its kind in the United States.
Since April 2023, Chou has authored 17 articles, including seven refereed research articles( four as first or corresponding author), eight refereed extension articles( seven as corresponding authors), and two trade journal articles. The research and extension articles incurred more than 2,772 downloads.
Chou has conducted a number of outreach activities, which include on-site consultation in 22 events, resulting in immediate resolution of disease issues on six occasions. He reached more than 3,686 turfgrass managers through 22 in-person extension presentations and more than 600 audiences through three online presentations, disseminating critical information on disease management.
Savannah Bananas Founder Jesse Cole to keynote Equip Expo
Savannah Bananas Founder Jesse Cole, an entrepreneur known for his banana-yellow suit and brilliant marketing ideas, will serve as keynote speaker for the 2025 Equip Expo in Louisville, Kentucky.
In the keynote address, sponsored by Kress, Cole will share what it takes to develop a great idea into a brand that people embrace and love. His boot-straps-to-success story will delve into marketing brands and how to keep creativity flowing.
In addition to Cole’ s keynote address, Equip Expo 2025 will feature a welcome reception at Churchill Downs, sponsored by Caterpillar, where a new signature bourbon will debut this year; two concerts; a women’ s leadership reception, sponsored by Belgard, Hunter Industries and SiteOne; and more peer-topeer activities. Country stars Big & Rich and solo country artist Gretchen Wilson will perform an exclusive concert for show attendees at the Kentucky International Convention Center Thursday night of the show. The concert is included with the registration to Equip Exposition.
46 SportsField Management | May 2025 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com