Although January marks the new calendar year, for me the February issue of SportsField Management always feels like the true start of the year to come.
The annual SFMA Conference and Exhibition in January is both a culmination of the past year and a turning of the page to the future with the introduction of the new board and executive leadership of the association. That includes the passing of the gavel to the new SFMA President.
With that leadership transition comes my annual opportunity to interview the incoming president for this issue. This month, I’m privileged to introduce SFMA President Alpha Jones, CSFM.
Even if you are not a member of SFMA, you should be familiar with Alpha from his “More than Grass” column in this magazine. From the beginning of that effort, Alpha set out to share his experience and his own brand of leadership advice with sports field managers of all levels. He has helped our audience with tips on everything from communication to professionalism to budgeting to his latest series on the Eight Stolons of Leadership.
Those editorial contributions to the magazine have allowed me to meet with Alpha on a regular basis throughout the past couple of years. He is always generous with his time, passionate about the industry, and driven in his approach to everything he does.
I believe that the sign of a great interaction with anyone is leaving that interaction better than I was when it began. I feel that is true of my conversations with Alpha; and I am sure that is how Alpha will approach the coming year as president of SFMA and his interactions with members and nonmembers alike.
Alpha shared the story of his career journey with SFMA Conference attendees a few years ago, and followed that up with an article of the same nature in the magazine. But even if you are familiar with his unconventional path to the sports field management profession, you will no doubt learn something new by reading the cover story in this issue.
In addition to highlighting Alpha’s career journey, the cover profile also shares his vision for SFMA and his approach to leading the association. I am confident that Alpha will be a strong advocate for industry outreach, growing visibility of the profession, enhancing professionalism and building partnerships.
I am excited to share his story with you, and I am proud to introduce you to new SFMA President Alpha Jones, CSFM.
John Kmitta
Associate Publisher/Editorial Brand Director
jkmitta@epgacceleration.com
763-383-4405