MTC Board of Directors |
Executive DirectorVernon Cooper MTC Executive Director All States Turf Consultants; Owner/ Agronomist Email: Execdir@Mdturfcouncil.com |
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President |
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Current Position: Southern Region Parks Division’s Recreation and Park Maintenance Coordinator. Brandon Sands has worked with the MNCPPC for ten years, starting as a Park Maintenance Crew Leader. He was later promoted to Landscape Supervisor II, leading Landscape and Turf Development for the Maintenance & Development Division. Brandon’s turf specialty experience has spanned over 25 years. Before M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation, Brandon worked in professional baseball and collegiate organizations (Bowie Baysox, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Coastal Caroline University, and the US Naval Academy). He also worked for ten years in the Athletic Grounds Department for Anne Arundel County Schools. Currently, Brandon serves as the President of the Maryland Turfgrass Council and has served as the Turf Liaison on several committees for the MNCPPC. |
Vice President |
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Patrick spent 23 years working in Minor League baseball before joining DuraEdge in November of 2017. More commonly known in the industry as “Irish”, he enjoyed an award-winning career working for seven different teams in five different states. Irish is now settled in Maryland as the Mid-Atlantic Sales Representative for DuraEdge. He joined the MTC in 2020. |
Immediate Past PresidentBen Ellis Golf Course Superintendent, The Courses at Andrews Email: Golfturf54@gmail.com Phone: (571) 340-0122 MTC Committee(s): Media, Communications |
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Golf runs through Ben Ellis’s veins, and he has spent more than half his life on a golf course. In fact, one of his earliest memories is chipping golf balls on the par 3 hole his grandfather constructed in their front yard. After joining the clubhouse staff at Fort Belvoir Golf Club during his teen years, Ben quickly found a home within the golf course maintenance personnel, and his passion for the art and science of greenkeeping blossomed through stints at Fort Belvoir, Laurel Hill, Andrews and Paint Branch. When not at the course, Ben enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Sara, and their two dogs Bruce and Leia, near their home in Southern Maryland. Ben is a student of the game and takes every opportunity to get out and play on courses of every variety.
Secretary |
Treasurer |
Board Member |
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Brian has more than 25 years of experience with Scientific Plant Service, headquartered in Baltimore Maryland. As Owner and President of the company he is also a Certified Fertilizer Applicator, a Certified Pest Control Applicator and International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Frostburg State University. |
Board Member |
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Amanda is the Park Planner for Calvert County Government Department of Parks and Recreation. She has a Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University in Landscape Architecture and a Master’s degree from Slippery Rock University in Environmental Science. Her goal is to support the organization and its continuing education for members of the industry. |
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Board MemberFred Johnson Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission |
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Fred is a Senior Park Manager at MNCPPC for over 30 years and in parks for 40 years. Fred has a background in Horticulture and Forestry/ Turf maintenance. Fred manages over 86 park locations and sits on a few boards within the state. Fred likes to help build parks and His focus in life is change for a better environment.
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Board Member |
University AdvisorGeoffrey Rinehart University of Maryland, Institute of Applied Agriculture |
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University Advisor |
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