Sod Solutions director of Florida operations Mark Kann was elected president of the Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA) during the annual conference held at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.
Kann, who joined Sod Solutions in 2021, brings three decades of experience spanning golf course management, university research and industry leadership. His new role marks what he calls “a full circle moment” in his career.
“I’ve always loved serving and helping others, and it’s just another chance to do that,” he said. “Being voted in shows the confidence my colleagues in this industry have in me to run this organization, and that’s humbling. I’m ready to go.”
Kann’s path through the turfgrass industry began on golf courses across Florida, where he served as both superintendent and assistant superintendent before spending 14 years managing the turf research facility at the University of Florida’s Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra. He holds a Bachelor of Science in turfgrass science and a Master of Science in horticultural sciences from UF.
He has held leadership roles across multiple allied associations, including serving as president of both the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association (Florida GCSA) and the Seven Rivers Golf Course Superintendents Association. He also chaired the FGCSA Education and BMP Committee for nearly a decade, where he helped develop the association’s nationally recognized Golf BMP Certification Program.
In his current role with Sod Solutions, Kann works closely with superintendents, turf managers, sod producers and landscapers across the state. This ongoing connection to every segment of the industry makes his role as FTGA president a natural fit.
“We service all these different segments by providing grass and working with them, so it fits really easily for me. I love the industry and this just feels like another way to serve it,” he said.
As president, Kann plans to build on the association’s existing momentum while focusing on collaboration and unity. He emphasized the FTGA’s role in education, research and advocacy.
“We support all segments of the industry,” he said. “We provide quality education and have a great relationship with the University of Florida, which gives us access to top researchers and resources.”
Stellar appoints three new managers
Stellar Industries, a 100-percent employee-owned and -operated manufacturer of mechanic and service trucks and their accessories, service cranes, hooklifts and more, is excited to introduce two new product managers, Kasey Lammers and Phil Boeckman. Lammers will be responsible for mechanic trucks and accessories. Boeckman will be responsible for hooklift, roll-off and container trucks.
Lammers brings experience in product marketing, customer engagement and new product launches to his role at Stellar. As product manager for mechanic trucks and accessories, he will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and introduce new products, features and processes by utilizing market research and customer interaction to meet consumer needs.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally in this new role,” said Lammers. “I can bring a fresh set of eyes to the legacy product lines at Stellar, introducing new opportunities that benefit our customers.”
Boeckman offers extensive expertise in engineering and product management with a background in leading product updates and innovations at both Winnebago and Snap-on. At Stellar, he will be responsible for planning and executing new innovations for the hooklift product lineup.
“I can’t wait to experience the culture at Stellar and bring my expertise to the table,” said Boeckman. “Working with the product that is the cornerstone of Stellar is truly an amazing opportunity to keep the legacy moving forward.”
With both Lammers and Boeckman stepping into their new roles, Stellar looks forward to the experience and perspective they bring to the product management team.
“We’re excited to welcome both Kasey and Phil to Stellar and complete our product management team,” said Tim Worman, director of product management and inside sales at Stellar. “Their unique backgrounds and skills will be a perfect addition to our dedicated team, and we feel confident that the innovation and advancements to come across product lines will be exciting.”
Stellar Industries also welcomed Donna Bruesewitz as sales and technical training manager. This new position will play a crucial role in ensuring both distributors and sales teams are fully equipped with the tools and training needed to continue expanding Stellar’s market presence.
Bruesewitz previously served as communications manager for nearly 20 years before finding an opportunity to work closer to home, allowing more time for her to spend with her growing family. She has held positions at Milkhouse Candle Co. and Pritchard Companies over the past several years.
“I couldn’t be more excited to return to Stellar,” said Bruesewitz. “I look forward to collaborating with my team to build a program that will help everyone thrive, from our internal teams to our customers and distributors.”
In her new role, Bruesewitz will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive training programs and materials for Stellar’s distributor network and internal sales teams. This role was designed to strengthen the connection between Stellar’s internal teams and distributors, ensuring consistency in training and messaging across the brand.
“We are thrilled to introduce the role of sales and technical training manager,” said Tim Davison, vice president of sales and marketing at Stellar. “Donna is the perfect person for this position. She brings deep product and brand knowledge, along with a fresh outlook that will benefit our distributors and our internal teams alike.”
Munro appoints new Central U.S. regional account manager
Munro, a manufacturer of pumps, pump controls and pump stations for the turf irrigation market, has named Jack Dever as its new Central U.S. regional account manager.
Dever will work closely with the company’s network of professional distributors as well as with irrigation specifiers, landscape architects and landscape contractors to provide industry-leading support and further develop and enhance Munro’s current market presence.
“With over 20 years of sales experience in the pump industry, Jack has built a strong reputation building customer relationships and maintaining customer loyalty through creative problem solving, efficiency and dependability. Jack’s dedication to creating excellent customer experiences makes him a fantastic resource for his customers and a great fit for the Munro team,” says Jeff Prell, national sales director for Munro.
Mullin hires Scott Miller as regional maintenance operations manager
Mullin recently hired Scott Miller as regional maintenance operations manager. In this key leadership role, Miller will oversee maintenance operations across multiple locations, strengthen performance across all branches and advance Mullin’s mission to deliver exceptional quality and consistency throughout the Gulf South.
Miller brings 18 years of leadership experience in the landscape industry and more than 25 years of management expertise. His background spans operations, sales and account management, with a record of leading teams, managing large-scale projects and driving operational excellence, according to the company.
“We are thrilled to welcome Scott to the Mullin family,” said Chase Mullin, CEO and founder of Mullin. “His experience and ability to build high-performing teams makes him the ideal fit to lead our regional maintenance operations. His commitment to excellence and deep industry knowledge aligns perfectly with our vision for continued growth.”
Miller holds a landscape horticultural license and is a lifelong resident of the Baton Rouge area. A strong advocate for the green industry, he has engaged with policymakers in Washington, D.C. to support and educate on the importance of the H-2B visa program.
“I was highly impressed with the strength of the Mullin brand, the company’s rapid growth and the clear direction for the future,” said Miller. “I was equally inspired by Chase Mullin’s vision and leadership. I’m excited to work alongside a team of professionals who share the same vision and goals.”
The AED appoints new regional manager for Eastern Canada
The Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) appointed Jalen Price as the organization’s new regional manager for Eastern Canada. Based in Ottawa, Price brings a strong background in Canadian public policy, strategic communications and stakeholder engagement to his role supporting AED members across the region.
Price joins AED following a distinguished career within the government of Canada. He most recently served in the Prime Minister’s office as an issues management and parliamentary affairs coordinator, where he supported strategic communications, briefed the Prime Minister on emerging issues and led files related to northern affairs and economic development. He also previously served as a researcher for the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney, providing strategic policy analysis to support members of Parliament.
Price holds a graduate certificate in sustainable business management from Conestoga College and a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he was also recognized as an OUA All-Star on the conference championship football team.
In his new role, Price will serve as the primary point of contact for AED members in Eastern Canada, helping them optimize their membership value and navigate the full suite of AED resources. His experience working in fast-paced policy environments and on grassroots engagement efforts will support his work in strengthening member relationships across the region.
“We are excited to welcome Jalen to the AED team,” said Scott McPherson, vice president of member engagement, AED. “His background in public policy, deep understanding of economic issues and experience working closely with decision-makers will bring tremendous value to our Canadian members.”
“I’m thrilled to join AED and begin working directly with our members across Eastern Canada,” Price said. “This industry plays a vital role in driving economic growth, and I look forward to supporting our members, amplifying their needs and helping them maximize the value of their AED membership.”
