PROFILE

By Cecilia Johnson

For nearly 80 years, the Texas Turfgrass Association( TTA) has provided education and research to turfgrass professionals across Texas. Since 2018, Executive Director Katie Flowers has been at the heart of this effort, focused on building connections and increasing the association’ s value to members.

FINDING A PLACE IN TURFGRASS Before joining the TTA, Flowers spent 15 years in student housing, working in training and writing company handbooks. Her husband, Seth Flowers, who works in commercial landscaping and irrigation, introduced her to the industry and the TTA.

“ Seth is one of the smartest people in turfgrass I know,” she said.“ Through him, I started meeting TTA members and saw what a hub it was for networking and education. I saw the challenges members faced in getting commercial business. I also realized just how many people are connected to turfgrass. That made me passionate about promoting my husband’ s career and others in the industry.”

When Flowers first interviewed for the executive director position, she faced a panel of turfgrass professionals who outlined the role’ s responsibilities. She didn’ t have a turf background but knew she could organize and promote.

“ I’ m a people person,” she said.“ I knew this was an association we had to keep going— not just because it educates, but because it’ s a networking hub that’ s invaluable.”

She got the job and quickly saw opportunities to improve the association’ s financial standing.“ It was going to be a challenge,” she said.“ But I was ready.”

STEPPING INTO LEADERSHIP“ My first year, we coined the phrase‘ peeling the onion together,’” she said.“ The past Executive Director, Shirley Duble, had done a fantastic job running TTA for almost 30 years. It was a big responsibility to harness what she built, protect it and evolve alongside things like social media.”

Flowers credits Patrick Pankratz and Mike Chandler, TTA presidents when she started, for helping her navigate the transition.“ They, along with the board, were instrumental in figuring out what worked, what didn’ t and how we could move forward,” she said.“ It was trial and error, but over the past few years, we’ ve seen real growth. People want to come back to our shows— not just for CEUs but because they know the value of our events.”

The TTA’ s Executive Board includes a past president, current president and first and second vice president who handle key decisions. There are also 14 regional directors who represent different industry sectors— sod production, sports turf, lawn care, landscape and commercial— across eastern and western Texas.

“ I’ ve learned to talk to so many different professionals— golf course superintendents, sports field managers, parks and rec teams, cemetery maintenance crews and more. Turfgrass touches everything.”

BUILDING MEANINGFUL EVENTS Flowers helps plan TTA’ s conferences to provide education and networking.“ We try to put on events that pique members’ interest but also meet our educational mission,” she said.“ We also raise money for education and contribute to Texas A & M’ s Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, which provides scholarships for turfgrass students.”

“ Our summer conference is always at a resort to encourage members to bring their families and enjoy some

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