TPI appoints executive director, assistant executive director

Casey Reynolds, Ph.D.

Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) named Casey Reynolds, Ph.D., as the association’s executive director, effective May 1. Additionally, TPI selected Karen Cooper for the newly-created position of associate executive director, also effective May 1.

Reynolds comes to TPI from the position of assistant professor and turfgrass extension specialist at Texas A&M, where he coordinated statewide turfgrass research and extension programs. He was the creator and editor of the program’s website, AggieTurf.tamu.edu, and developed much of its educational content. Prior to joining Texas A&M, he served as a turfgrass research and extension associate for North Carolina State University (NCSU) from
2003-2013.

Reynolds is a passionate advocate of the benefits of turfgrass and intent on delivering the message of their usefulness in urban environments. His professional career has been rooted in science, combined with the curiosity of a researcher and the ability to communicate with people on multiple levels. In the positions he’s held, he’s proven to be equally effective as a speaker in formal presentations; a leader and contributor on boards and committees; and an informative resource for groups, businesses and individuals. He’s at home in an office or in the field. He brings these strong assets to the TPI team.

Reynolds grew up in rural North Carolina, and although his family didn’t farm, they lived on a farm with livestock, pastures, and a huge garden. His summer jobs were all plant related and a golf course internship in 1996 prompted his interest in turfgrass. He says, “It’s amazing some of the things we ask turfgrasses to do—and they do them.”

He earned his BS in Crop Science, his MS in Crop Science and Business Management, and his Ph.D. in Crop Science, all at NCSU.

“I’ve heard so many great things about TPI, I’m excited to be working with them and eager to connect with them,” said Reynolds. “I’m looking forward to supporting them on all fronts, especially in making sure their voice is heard on the issues TPI sees as most important to the turfgrass industry and beneficial to the membership.”

Karen Cooper

To her position, Cooper brings professional writing expertise, along with fifteen years of administrative and project management experience.

From April 2007 to December 2013, she served as senior manager of conference education for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). There she managed all aspects of the annual GCSAA educational conference for over 7,000 participants. She connected with the members to better assess their needs and expectations; then communicated with the instructors to develop curriculum to align with their objectives. This included expansion of social media content and new audience-driven sessions.

Cooper earned her BS in Information Technology from the University of Houston and her MS in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. She comes to TPI directly from the position of curriculum specialist where she developed adult learning training courses specifically designed to meet the needs of the target audience for the National Center for Biomedical Research & Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education at Louisiana State University.

Photos: TPI