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Secretary/Treasurer - Mike Goatley, Jr., Ph.D.
James Michael Goatley, Jr., Ph.D.
Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA
Dr. Goatley is the Associate Professor of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences and Extension Turfgrass Specialist at Virginia Tech University, a position he has held for 6 years. Prior to that he was a Professor in the department of Plant and Soil Sciences (Golf and Sports Turf Management curriculum) at Mississippi State University for 16 years. He received the MSU College of Agricultural and Life Sciences “Excellence in Teaching Award” in 2002, and the MSU Undergraduate Advising Award in 2001, and the National Academic Advising Association Advising Award in 2002. He received STMA’s William H. Daniels Founders Award in 2008.
Mike has been the Academic Director on the STMA Board since 2008. During this time, he led the development of the educational program for two annual conferences in his role as Conference Education Chair. He also previously served on STMA’s Certification Committee. He is a technical advisor to the Virginia STMA chapter, at which he is a presenter at its annual field days. He also organizes and leads the sports turf educational sessions at the Virginia Turfgrass Conference.
Vision for STMA:
I envision continued, sustained growth for STMA with an increasing emphasis on international growth in our membership. The current size and stability of our association provides us wonderful opportunities to establish and expand linkages with international sports turf managers in the near future. We share many of the same challenges and have much to learn from each other, irrespective of where we reside.
I also envision an increased focus from STMA on the recruitment of our next generation of sports turf managers. The development of both informational and educational outreach programs that specifically target young men and women in secondary schools will bring new faces and new ideas to our industry.
Finally, I expect STMA to continue the advancement of professionalism, visibility, and recognition of sports turf managers from all segments of our industry. Continuing urban growth results in an ever-increasing demand for safe, playable athletic facilities for a diverse population. STMA will serve as the leader in ensuring that highly trained sports turf managers capable of delivering a cost-effective, quality playing surface in an environmentally responsible manner are always available.