Van Haasteren Receives Grounds Management's Highest Honor

The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) has recognized George Van Haasteren, CGM with grounds management's highest honor, the E. Earl Wilson Award. This award is a tribute to E. Earl Wilson, a past president of PGMS and one of the most influential individuals responsible in the creation of the GIE. Considered the Society's highest honor, it is presented as deemed appropriate for outstanding and sustained service and dedication to PGMS and the Green Industry as a whole. Van Haasteren is only the second individual to be so recognized.

Van Haasteren, director of grounds at Dwight Englewood School in Englewood, N.J., has also served as PGMS president (2001) and has sat on the Society's Board of Directors for nearly a decade. He has served a critical role in nurturing the development of the Society's Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) program, has been deeply involved in the continuous growth of the Green Industry Expo (GIE) and the recently coaligned GIE+EXPO, and has also been instrumental in several other PGMS programs.

A handful of other awards were also presented at PGMS' 2007 School of Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO held in Louisville, Ky. October 24-27.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley received the 2007 PGMS Gold Medal in recognition of his role in the dramatic greening of Chicago. This award is given each year to an individual or entity to recognize them for outstanding and long-term achievements and/or contributions to the Green Industry.

During his tenure, Daly has led this amazing transformation by spearheading the revitalization and increase of green spaces and touting initiatives to make the "Windy City" more environmentally friendly. For example Chicago leads the nation in the number of green roofs, fueling a trend that is catching on nationwide. The city's care for it's landscapes and recreational areas has also netted it the prestigious PGMS Green Star Award in recent years.

Walt Bonvell of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and the Joseph E. Shaner Co. of Baltimore, Md. were honored as the recipients of the PGMS President's Awards in recognition of their outstanding service and contributions to the Society.

Bonvell, a member of the Society's Board of Directors, was lauded for his efforts in breathing new life into the Greater Cincinnati Branch of PGMS as well as overseeing several dynamic education and outreach programs throughout the Society's North Central Region. In announcing the award, PGMS President Mike Mongon, CGM said, "Walt has served PGMS with enthusiasm and his work ethic has been inspiration to everyone on the board."

The Joseph E. Shaner Co., an association management company based in Baltimore, was lauded for its management of PGMS and the society's recent growth. The company has managed PGMS serving as its full-time staff and headquarters since 2000. Mongon said that the company lent invaluable counsel and support during his presidency over the past year.

Founded in 1911, PGMS is an individual membership society of grounds professionals advancing the grounds management profession through education and professional development. For further information on PGMS, contact the Society at 720 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21230, 800-609-PGMS, e-mail: PGMS@assnhqtrs.com.

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