RISING STAR

In “ Growing Weeders into Leaders ,” author Jeff McManus stresses the importance of owning the first impression .

“ That ’ s what I tell my folks all the time ,” said Billy Pipp , CSFM , CBLP , CPSI . “ You have to own the first impression and not come up with excuses . If someone comes up to you and asks why you aren ’ t exceeding their expectations , be honest — no excuses .”

First impressions and communication are important in Pipp ’ s role as VP of grounds management at HES Facilities . HES is a site-based facilities management company that handles custodial , maintenance and grounds services at educational facilities throughout the country .

“ My job is to support current grounds accounts ; train our grounds employees on techniques , new technologies and safety ; as well as try to gain new business and develop new leads on potential opportunities ,” said Pipp , who has accounts as far west as Nevada and as far south as Florida . “ It ’ s a lot of travel , but it ’ s fun and it ’ s rewarding . It ’ s all about being able to support the client and the employees . It comes down to providing the client with the best product we possibly can .”

Pipp enjoys speaking with clients , as well as other sports field management professionals , and developing personal relationships .

“ I think this job field is different as it relates to being able to network ,” he said . “ Just about every medium to large city has a sports complex , and you ’ ve probably worked with someone , or met them at SFMA or PGMS , so you know you have someone to call .”

Pipp attended high school in O ’ Fallon , Missouri , and originally planned on becoming a meteorologist . However , there was an independent baseball team within walking distance of his home , and he began working at the ballpark at the age of 16 .

“ I had no idea what a game attendant was , but I learned really quick it was going out and chalking batter ’ s boxes and chalking lines ,” said Pipp .

Having moved on from meteorology as a life goal , Pipp attended the University of Missouri to pursue a degree in agriculture journalism with a minor in plant sciences . However , he soon gave up on ag journalism and focused on plant sciences and turfgrass management as a career .

In addition to working on the fields at Mizzou , Pipp also interned in Major League Baseball . From there , he worked for the Hannibal Cavemen , a collegiate summer baseball team in Hannibal , Missouri ; then later took a job with the University of Colorado .

“ That was where I became an adult ,” said Pipp . “ Sleeping in and missing the alarm clock were excuses that weren ’ t put up with anymore . And the attention to detail was eye opening .”

From there , Pipp became director of grounds at Upper Iowa University , overseeing the grounds of the entire campus and also serving as transportation coordinator . It was there , in 2012 , that Pipp and his crew won the Iowa soccer “ Field of the Year Award ,” which he cites as his proudest career achievement .

“ I had just started working for Upper Iowa University , and they were building a new football stadium ,” he said . “ I wasn ’ t there when the specs were put out . They took a main line out of the football stadium and built it into a bigger main line on the soccer field , which reduced the pressure on the irrigation system . I showed up , and it looked like crop circles . I had just started and had just met the athletic director and the soccer coach , and it was a very stressful situation — a lot of disease on the field , because the irrigation didn ’ t work .”

In a matter of months — and through a lot of ingenuity and a lot of care — Pipp and his crew turned the field into an award winner .

32 SportsField Management | October 2023 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com