Dalton, GA – AstroTurf Corporation, the inventor and leading innovator of synthetic turf, is pleased to announce Melissa Vassalotti-Twist as their new Director of Field Hockey. Melissa will oversee AstroTurf’s Field Hockey Operations and will be responsible for developing relationships with existing and prospective customers in order to help deliver the AstroTurf model of customer service, products, and value.
“I am so excited to take on this new role,” said Melissa Vassalotti-Twist. “AstroTurf is the standard by which all field hockey fields are measured and I am humbled to be stepping into a position previously held by my mentor, Andy Belles. I am committed to offering the same level of customer service, consultation and product knowledge that made Andy a legendary figure in the industry.”
Melissa is a veteran of the game of field hockey as both a player and a coach. She was a part of three National Championships and three ACC Championships as a player for the University of Maryland (all while playing on an AstroTurf field). Melissa carried her knowledge of the game into coaching at American University and also Georgetown University where she earned a Master’s degree in Sports Industry Management. Before coming to AstroTurf, she gained experience in managing sales and fostering growth while representing an elite level sports equipment company.
“We believe that we have found a superstar in Melissa”, said Rich Jordan, AstroTurf Executive VP of Business Development and Marketing. “She was hand-picked by her predecessor, Andy Belles, and trained to AstroTurf’s highest customer service and sales standards. We have tremendous confidence that Melissa will continue to build on AstroTurf’s reputation of offering the most innovative, consistent and precision-built field hockey surfaces in the industry.”
AstroTurf® fields have long been regarded as the unequivocal standard for field hockey performance and are the favorite among coaches and players alike for their playability, durability and low maintenance requirements. It’s no wonder AstroTurf is recognized as the Official Artificial Surface Provider of both USA Field Hockey and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, as well as a preferred supplier for FIH.
AstroTurf® and Polytan®, members of the Sport Group family of brands, are the two most respected brands in the world of field hockey in relation to premium sport surfaces. The two companies continue to share technologies and resources to lead the way with new polymers and systems that promise to bring about changes in the industry as well as in the sport of hockey. The excitement is building for the new Tokyo GT surface developed for the 2020 Olympics. The new sugar cane based system is a major step forward for climate positive hockey. Superior systems such as this one is a major reason that AstroTurf® and Polytan® have provided hockey turfs for 9 of the 12 Olympics which have featured hockey on synthetic turf.
About AstroTurf® For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf® has redefined the way the game is played. The brand offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety. To learn more, visit AstroTurf’s website at www.astroturf.com.