INDUSTRY NEWS
Join NCS4 for the National Sports Safety and Security Conference
Make plans to join NCS4 for the 14th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition , June 27-29 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa . The 2023 conference theme is “ Level- Up ,” challenging NCS4 ’ s industry friends and partners to strive for continuous improvement . The conference will offer dynamic programming , solution provider engagement , and opportunities to network with fellow professionals . This highly regarded gathering of sports safety and security professionals is an opportune time to share ideas , tools , and proven strategies to help advance the industry .
Early-bird registration is available through April 14 . For more information , or to register , visit https :// ncs4 . usm . edu / events / annual-conference /.
Save $ 75 off each attendee registration when registering three or more people from the same organization . Discount will be automatically applied when applicable . ( Cannot be combined with the member discount ; and does not apply to Private Sector Attendee registration or Exhibitors / Sponsors .)
NCS4 Connect Members receive a discount on conference attendee registration fees . If you are a current member , contact Sara Priebe for the conference discount code at sara . priebe @ usm . edu . To become a member of NCS4 Connect , visit https :// ncs4 . usm . edu / join-ncs4-connect /.
Central Turf & Irrigation Supply hires turf category director for fertilizer
Central Turf & Irrigation Supply announced that Ryan Batz has joined the team as the new turf category director for fertilizer . In this role , Batz will focus on strategic growth for the fertilizer program within the category — bringing the best products , resources and training to Central ’ s customers alongside the turf team of directors .
Batz has a B . S . in Turfgrass Management from Pennsylvania State University . He is a GCSAA Class A Member with six years of experience as the U . S . technical director for Ferti Technologies . In addition , he brings to the team 11 years as a golf course superintendent and was a former owner / operator of GreenKeepers Lawn Care . During his career , Batz has also been in sales as a golf technical sales representative in the New York Metropolitan area .
Sod Solutions welcomes Martín Ignes
Martín Ignes has joined Sod Solutions as the new director of retail and professional development for Florida . He has an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina and a master ’ s degree from Mississippi State University in Plant and Soil Sciences with a Weed Science Concentration .
Ignes will help continue to build Sod Solutions relationships with authorized distributors , preferred installers and licensed turfgrass producers throughout Florida . He will help to increase communication and education of Sod Solutions brands within the Florida market .
“ I am thrilled to welcome Martín to our team and look forward to how he will help continue to grow our business operations throughout the state of Florida ,” said Mark Kann , director of Florida operations for Sod Solutions . “ Given his experience and knowledge of turfgrass maintenance and agriculture , I believe he will be a valuable asset in maintaining these industry relationships .”
Ewing announces new turf products category manager
Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply announced Michael Maravich as its new national turf products category manager .
“ Mike ’ s years of successful turf product sales and marketing experience will be a great addition to the Ewing Category Management Team ,” Ewing Chief Revenue Officer Tom Childers said . “ His intimate knowledge of the customer and product markets is exactly what Ewing and its customers wanted .”
As National Turf Products Category Manager , Maravich will be responsible for growing the category , managing vendor relationships , engaging customers and providing product support to Ewing branch and sales staff .
“ Ewing ’ s market presence rivals and exceeds any of its in-class competitors ,” Maravich said . “ My industry passion begins with category and portfolio management and strategy , so I ’ m excited to have the opportunity to return to those roots and represent Ewing to the industry and our customers .”
Maravich graduated from The Ohio State University in 1997 with a bachelor ’ s degree in Turf and Landscape Management . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com March 2023 | SportsField Management
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