DR. MIKE KENNA IMPACTING THE GREEN INDUSTRY
Dr. Mike Kenna was the seventh recipient of TPI’s Distinguished Service Award which serves to recognize and honor individuals who have devoted their time, talent and energy to TPI, its programs and objectives and who have made an outstanding contribution to the turfgrass and green industry. Te award was presented on February 23, during the TPI 2016 International Education Conference & Field Day in Houston, TX.
Dr. Kenna has served as the director of U.S. Golf Association (USGA) Green Section Research since February 1990 and currently oversees the USGA’s turfgrass and environmental research activities, including soliciting and evaluating research proposals, grant making, and development of cooperative funding with government and commercial sources. He travels extensively to visit turfgrass and environmental research sites, speak at conferences about the USGA’s research programs, and serves on advisory boards and research foundations.
Kevin Morris, executive director of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) and president of the National Turfgrass Federation (NTF), a long-time colleague and friend, made the presentation on behalf of TPI. Calling it a distinct honor to do so, Morris said, “Mike has done so much to benefit this industry that I can only touch on a few specifics. He served as coeditor, with Dr. James B Beard, of Water Quality and Quantity Issues for Turfgrass in Urban Landscapes, and coeditor, with Dr. J. Marshall Clark, of Fate and Management of Turfgrass Chemicals. Both of these books also reached many of those outside the turfgrass industry with vital information. His knowledge, insight and guidance have been invaluable throughout his many years of serving on Te Lawn Institute (TLI) Research Committee in advancing the breeding and development of turfgrasses. His role with the TPI Public Relations Working Group has helped extend the outreach promoting the benefits of turfgrasses.”
As Dr. Kenna reported in his article, “USGA Research— Te Big Picture,” (See Turf News May/June 2015—page 18), “Since 1921, USGA has issued grants totaling more than $40 million to research projects in North America, Australia, China and the United Kingdom.”
Executive Director Doug Fender approached Dr. Kenna in the mid-1990s seeking information on the process USGA had developed for its research committee to set up a similar program for what was then the International Turf Producers Foundation (ITPF). Dr. Kenna not only contributed to development of the ITPF Research Committee’s formal structure, patterned on the USGA model, he became a
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member of the original committee. Te other participants at that time were Dr. Coleman Ward of Auburn University; Dr. John R. (Jack) Hall III, Virginia Tech; and Dr. Harry D. Niemczyk, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) of Te Ohio State University. Dr. Kenna has served on the sod producers research committee ever since and he spoke of the dedication of the committee chairs and members over the years.
Dr. Mike Kenna
Looking back at TPI’s role in industry-changing initiatives, he said, “Louis Brooking and Warren Bell traveled with us to Washington D.C. to address the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, the branch of the USDA that provides money for specialty crop research. Previously, that included horticultural crops, floriculture and nursery production. Te sod producers were instrumental in inserting one little word into that specialty crop definition— turfgrass. Tat addition has resulted in over $10 million in funding for turfgrass research.”
He thanked David Doguet, who initially invited him to join the TPI Public Relations Working Group, and expressed appreciation for the ongoing commitment of its chairs and members and what they have accomplished for the industry and he complimented the great work of Jim Novak.
As Dr. Kenna thanked TPI for honoring him, he spoke of his joy in working in such an incredible industry. He stated how fortunate he had been to work with industry giants Dr. Glenn Burton and Dr. Wayne Hannah, and with every major plant breeder throughout his 25 years with USGA. He expressed appreciation for the many opportunities to interact with so many great researchers such as Dr. James Beard, Dr. Jim Watson and Dr. Paul Rieke. Dr. Kenna also expressed appreciation for the USGA team, starting with Jim Snow, national director of the USGA Green Section, who retired in 2011; Jim Moore, director of the USGA Green Section's Education Program; and Dr. Kimberly Erusha, managing director of the USGA Green Section.
Dr. Kenna’s commitment to using USGA’s resources to make the greatest impact is legendary within the turfgrass industry, as is his leadership in developing cooperative alliances that don’t merely discuss issues, but accomplish goals. Photo courtesy of USGA
TPI Turf News September/October 20162016
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