The Florida Turfgrass Association awarded Erica Santella with the Wreath of Grass Award during the association’s 54th Annual Meeting Sept. 14, held in conjunction with the 2006 Conference & Tradeshow.
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The Wreath of Grass is the FTGA’s highest honor and pays tribute to individuals who have provided outstanding service not only to the turf industry but also to the betterment of the FTGA. This award has been given to outstanding industry members since 1960.
Mark Jarrell, FTGA past president and 1995 Wreath of Grass Award recipient, presented Santella with the award.
“No one has ever been more deserving of this award than Erica,” Jarrell said. During the years we served on the FTGA Board together, she was without a doubt the most dedicated and effective Board member I ever served with.”
Santella is the regional technical manager for TruGreen Chemlawn’s 16 Florida branches. In this capacity, she is responsible for agronomic and horticulture programs, as well as providing environmental, legislative and regulatory support. She develops training programs and ensures local, state and federal laws and policies are followed correctly. Santella has been a member of FTGA since 1986 and served as president in 2000-2001.
“Erica is like a classy Rodney Dangerfield,” said FTGA Board Member and 1998 Wreath of Grass Award recipient Tim Hiers, CGCS. “She disarms even the staunchest opponents with humor backed up with knowledge, insight and wit.”
Santella resides in Sorrento with her husband, Noel, and their five dogs.
FTGA, founded in 1953, advocates for and promotes the turfgrass industry with research, continuing education, and networking opportunities for turfgrass professionals.
For more information, visit www.ftga.org.