PRESIDENT’S TURF Charting A Path
2024 TPI Board of Trustees
Officers Diane Mischel
I first experienced SWOT analysis in college. I was in a professional sorority; we brought in a facilitator for a development workshop. I learned that strengths and weaknesses are internal to an organization while opportunities and threats are external forces. We used an x-y axis to create a visual with strengths listed in the top left quadrant, weaknesses in the lower left quadrant, opportunities in the top right quadrant, and threats in the lower right quadrant. Ten we assigned a value for each section and plotted out where we were positioned on the graph. Once we had that information it became clear that if we wanted our sorority to move to a more positive position, we would need to either address our weaknesses, emphasize our strengths, take advantage of opportunities, or mitigate threats. Te math component really clicked with my logic-centered brain.
TPI has an abundance of strengths. Foremost are the people involved. Our executive director, staff, and members are invested, passionate, and knowledgeable. We represent a great product: grass is naturally good! TPI has a portfolio of publications backed by research data that make TPI the authority on natural grass. Our director cultivates connections with groups in our industry and externally to advocate for members. TPI also offers quality programs for members to grow in leadership, education, and contacts.
No organization is without weaknesses though. We have devoted members, but they are just a percentage of the total number of turfgrass producers. Tat could be related to our struggle to tell our story, both as an organization and an industry; our positive attributes are not always successfully conveyed to our audience.
Treats are easy to list—public perception, environmental regulations, alternative products, etc. However, right now it feels like our industry is at the crest of the hill, and with a little more gas we could gain speed toward our opportunities. Can TPI take advantage of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) advocating conversion from synthetic turf to natural grass? Can TPI capitalize on our connections with industry groups to increase our visibility, influence, and authority?
Your TPI board is mapping out those answers; we are developing an updated strategic plan. Our last strategic plan was developed in 2017 and was instrumental in giving direction to our staff and boards. Te goals from that plan have been executed and it is time to track where we have been, where we are now, and where we want to go. A strategic plan provides a compass and momentum so future boards can continue the journey with ease. We know there will be unforeseen roadblocks and detours along the way, but with a full tank of gas, they will be able to drive forward and avoid stalling while pursuing opportunities.
Yours faithfully,
President Diane Mischel DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-810-653-2201
office@debucksodfarm.com
Vice President Daniel Huggett Columbus Turf Nursery – U.S.A. +1-740-983-6580
danielh@columbus-turf.com
Secretary-Treasurer Larry LeMay A-G Sod Farms, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-559-289-2302
llemay@agsod.com
Past President Bob McCurdy McCurdy Sod Farms – U.S.A. +1-731-692-3515
mccurdysodfarms@gmail.com
Executive Director Casey Reynolds, PhD Turfgrass Producers International – U.S.A. +1-847-649-5555
CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org
Trustees Charles Harris Buy Sod – U.S.A. +1-910-992-6080
charris@buysod.com
Eric Hjort Tater Farms – U.S.A. +1-904-692-2246
eric_hjort@taterfarms.com
Albrecht Knigge Rasenland – Germany 495 101 915361
knigge@rasenland.de
Lindy Murff Murff Turf Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-281-328-2812
lmurff@murffturf.com
Adam Russell MVP Genetics – U.S.A. +1-971-718-4525
arussell@mvpgenetics.com
Eric Webb Raft River Sod – U.S.A. +1-208-878-5740
eric@raftriversod.com
Wade Wilbur Sod Shop – U.S.A. +1-913-814-0044
wade@sodshops.com
DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc. 2 TPI Turf News May/June 2024
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