Officers

President : Sun Roesslein , CSFM

Immediate Past President : James Bergdoll , CSFM , CPRP

President Elect : Nick McKenna , CSFM

Secretary-Treasurer : Adam Thoms , Ph . D .

Vice President Commercial : Paula Sliefert

Directors

Academic : Chase Straw , Ph . D .

At-Large ( elected ): Ryan DeMay , CSFM

At-Large ( appointed ): Zachary Holm , CSFM

Commercial : Erin Boyd Wilder

Higher Education : Jason DeMink , CSFM

Parks and Recreation : Jason Bowers , CSFM

Professional Facilities : Alpha Jones , CSFM

Schools K-12 : Jeremy Driscoll , CSFM

SFMA OFFICE P . O . Box 1673 Lawrence , KS 66044 Phone : 800-323-3875 Email : SFMAInfo @ SportsFieldManagement . org www . sportsfieldmanagement . org

SFMA EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Chair : Brad Thedens , CSFM Board Liaison : Chase Straw , Ph . D . Members : Matthew Arms , CSFM ; Philip Braselton ; TJ Brewer , CSFM ; Joe Churchill ; Forrest Jammer ; John Kmitta ; and David Schwandt .

Happy December , SFMA ! We often hear , “ I can ’ t believe ( insert month ) is here already ; time flies when you are having fun ,” and that statement has proven true yet again . 2024 is right around the corner and there is so much to look forward to .

Before we get there , this is a great time to look back at what you ’ ve achieved this year . Long sports seasons , weather events , extra events , crew shortages , you name the challenge , and you ’ ve conquered it . Congratulations !

Here at the NAAC , all those challenges hit home , but there is a lot to be proud of too . I believe it is very important to keep those moments of success in mind in order to build upon them while preparing for the upcoming year .

On the association level , there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes that you won ’ t notice just yet . The strategic plan that is the road map for everything we do for the next eight years is based on growth . Our three strategic pillars — growing respect for sports field managers , growing the organization by integrating the next generation of field managers , and diversifying the organization to attract underrepresented groups – all need to have the “ back of house ” support to make them happen .

Software and systems upgrades , along with adding a learning management system , will build the next foundation to set SFMA up for that future growth and success . These upgrades and additions are setting the stage for the association to provide better member resources , more educational offerings and other exciting programs .

Stay tuned for some specific program announcements in January at the annual conference and exhibition in Daytona Beach , Florida . By the way , this is our 35th annual conference and exhibition ! It is pretty cool to look back at my 20-plus years of membership , realize how far we ’ ve come , and prepare to move forward toward what ’ s next for SFMA !

January will be here soon enough , though , and I really hope you are able to take time to truly enjoy the holiday season . Regardless

of how you celebrate , I wish you happy and healthy days with family and friends , full of laughter and presence — yes , presence ; it ’ s the best gift we can give to our supportive # TurfLife families . Happy holidays ! SFM

Sun Roesslein , CSFM

Sun Roesslein , CSFM SFMA President Sun . Roesslein @ jeffco . k12 . co . us sportsfieldmanagementonline . com December 2023 | SportsField Management

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