Xavier University's Joey Wolf Shares His First School of Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO Experience
By Diana Bramble Rudolph, PGMS membership committee chair

Pictured on the left, Joey enjoyed the pre-conference field trip with a few grounds professionals he met.

Pictured on the right, Joey enjoyed the PGMS welcome reception alongside Ray Boyer, CGM.

Joey Wolf, groundskeeper at Xavier University, just experienced his first GIE. Joey is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and was very fortunate to be able to step away from his busy work, school and family life for a few days to make the trip to Louisville. Between his responsibilities at Xavier, working towards his degree in turf management and spending time with his two kids (including coaching his son's basketball, football and baseball teams!), Joey doesn't have a whole lot of spare time. We're really glad that Joey made it to this year's GIE and got so much out of it! I recently spent a few minutes interviewing Joey about his experience. Here's what he had to say...

Bramble Rudolph: How did you become involved with PGMS in the first place?
Wolf: PGMS Treasurer Walt Bonvell, CGM is grounds foreman here at Xavier. He introduced me to PGMS within my first couple months of starting. He explained what it was and how Xavier has won Green Star Awards. I realized right away how important PGMS was to him. It was good for me to have a real professional around when I got started here.

Bramble Rudolph: I understand that this was your first GIE. Have you attended any other PGMS events in the past?
Wolf: I attended last year's regional that took place in Cincinnati. Although I am from Cincinnati, PGMS allowed me to look at the grounds operations of Paul Brown Stadium, Historic Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. I wouldn't have been able to have such a great behind the scenes point of view otherwise.

Bramble Rudolph: Overall, how would you sum up your first GIE experience?
Wolf: This was a great experience for me. It was really amazing to see the size of the expo and trade show. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to coming back next year!

Bramble Rudolph: What activities did you take advantage of while you were in Louisville?
Wolf: I took advantage of almost all of my time while I was in Louisville. I went on the pre-conference field trip at Yew Dell Gardens, which was a really neat place with a great story and history behind it. I attended a few of the education classes including "Stormwater Protection" and "Tree Hazard Assessment," which I got a lot out of. I was very impressed with the awards banquet and reception. It was very cool to witness the induction of the 2011 slate of officers. I must say the night life in Louisville is a pretty good time, too! I was able to stop at The Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum on the way out to have a few bats personalized for the kids.

Bramble Rudolph: In your opinion, what was the best thing, about attending the GIE?
Wolf: Without a doubt, the best thing about attending GIE was being around and meeting so many good, professional people from all over the country that do what you do. It is awesome to be around people that care, appreciate and are passionate about this industry we are in. I met some people during this trip that I think and hope I will know the rest of my life.

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