I always say I did not choose AstroTurf—it chose me! It was fate. After all, I was born in 1965, my favorite color has always been green, and AstroTurf Day just happens to fall on my birthday.
But my journey into the turf industry began in 1990 when I was a 25-year-old transplant from Southern California, living in St. Louis, Missouri. At the time, I was working through a temp agency, which assigned me to Balsam Corporation, the parent company of AstroTurf, LLC, and Advanced Polymer Technologies (makers of Rekortan® tracks). I started as a receptionist, but my curiosity about the industry led me to work hard and earn a permanent position as a filing clerk.
About a year later, an opportunity arose that would shape my career—the creation of what I believe to be the industry’s first Contract Administrator role. I stepped into it with enthusiasm, and from that moment on, I knew I had found my place. What began as a temporary assignment turned into a lifelong career.
A Career in Contract Administration: Growing with the Industry
Over the years, I have held many titles, but at its core, my career has always been rooted in contract administration. I have worked in nearly every aspect of the process—from bidding and contract review to specification writing, document creation, billing, collections, and issuing the final warranty. In fact, the CSI specifications my peers and I developed in 1994 are still widely used today with very few changes.
A defining moment came in 2017 when I was asked to lead AstroTurf’s Distributor Network. At the time, we had distributors nationwide but lacked structured processes. Working closely with our network, we developed and implemented systems that allowed us to efficiently move over two hundred projects into production that year—delivering them on time. Many of those procedures remain in place today.
In 2019, I transitioned into managing contract administration for the Southwest Regional Distributor network, a role I continue to enjoy today.
The Turf Industry’s Biggest Transformations
It is hard to pick just one, considering how much the industry has evolved since I started. When I began my career, fields were made of green knitted nylon glued to a black PVC foam pad, installed over porous “popcorn” asphalt. Lines were painted on the surface—until an architect working with AstroTurf had a groundbreaking idea: If you can make green turf, why not make white turf? And just like that, the inlaid line was created. Shortly after, the “PermaTuft” system of tufting in the straight lines during manufacturing was born.
Back then, shop drawings were done by hand on drafting paper. Installers sketched logos and letters on graph paper and cut them onsite from rolls of turf. Today, we have advanced CAD software, precision waterjet machines, and climate-controlled facilities where entire logos, end zone letters, and even full field packages are preassembled before shipping—ready for installation.
Of course, one of the most revolutionary advancements was the introduction of infilled turf systems, which completely changed the game. Now, we are taking innovation even further by weaving entire fields on a loom. It is incredible to see how far the industry has come—and it is even more amazing to know I have been part of it every step of the way.
Mentors Who Shaped My Career
The turf industry is full of unique personalities, and I have been fortunate to work with so many individuals who have left a lasting impact on me.
One of the most influential was Jim Siegle, a civil engineer and one of the original creators of AstroTurf. He taught me that this industry is about so much more than just plastic grass. He helped me understand the chemistry, engineering, and technical intricacies of fiber production and turf system design. His passion for the science behind synthetic turf was contagious, and he took me under his wing, sparking my own love for the technical side of the business.
And then there’s Jim Savoca, mentor to so many in this industry. If you have worked with him, you already know the impact he has had—not just on individuals, but on the industry as a whole. His wisdom and wit are legendary: “Hope is not a strategy,” “Measure twice, cut once,” “Even a broken clock is right twice a day.” His brilliance on the sales side is unmatched, and his guidance and friendship have been invaluable to me throughout my career.
I am grateful to have learned from the best, and their influence has shaped the way I have approached my work every step of the way.
A Lasting Legacy in the Turf Industry
Every role in this industry has evolved—the challenges it was designed to solve, the visionaries who shaped it, and the innovations that transformed it. Being part of that history has shaped my approach to work each day.
I will leave it to my colleagues to define my legacy, but if there is one thing, I hope people remember, it is my passion for this industry and the dedication I have put into it. I have genuinely loved what I do, and because of that, it never really felt like work at all.
Embracing New Adventures in Retirement
As I look forward to retirement, my plans are filled with family, exploration, and cultivating our home garden. My grandchildren participate in numerous activities, and we plan to spend ample time in Houston to be part of their lives.
We also aim to visit all sixty-three of America’s National Parks and all eighty-nine of Texas’ State Parks.
At home, we plan to double the size of our flower, herb, and vegetable garden, relishing the simple joys of nurturing plants and enjoying our time together.
A Message to My Colleagues, Customers, and the AstroTurf Community
Always remember, install it green side up, and you are already winning!
In all seriousness, whether you are a 25-year-old newcomer to the industry or a 60-year-old veteran heading into retirement, never lose sight of the bigger picture. You are not just bidding a job. You are not just reviewing a contract. You aren’t just sewing a seam or adding infill. You aren’t just issuing a warranty.
What you’re really doing is creating safe, high-quality spaces where generations of children and athletes will play, compete, and make lifelong memories. And that is something to be truly proud of.
