CFSTMA maintains a Board of volunteer Directors. Terms are a period of 2 years and elections are held every December. We are always looking for hard-working dedicated volunteers. Please contact centralfloridastma@gmail.com if you are interested in helping our member driven association.
President – Joe Gasparini, CSFM
Joe has worked directly and indirectly in the sports field industry as a Site Supervisor, Program Coordinator and now a Program Manger with Orange County Parks and Recreation. He’s been a member of CFSTMA since 2014 serving as a board member since 2015. He most recently acquired his CSFM designation in 2018. Joe lives in Winter Springs, Seminole County with his wife, two college aged daughters, two rescue dogs and a cat.
President Elect – Rob Julian
Rob is currently and has been Advent Health Training Center’s Director of Athletic Fields and Grounds at One Buccaneer Place for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 1993. A Member of STMA since 1999 and CFSTMA since its inception. Served as CFSTMA Treasurer since 2015, now President Elect.
Treasurer – Steven Wood, CSFM
Steven is the Sports Turf Manager with the City of Ocala Recreation & Parksfor for over nine years. He came from the golf course industry, being a Superintendent for more than 20 years. Steven manages the sports turf at eight sport facilities at the city. The sizes range from a single youth baseball field to several multi field complexes. Steven recently acquired the STMA’s Certified Sports Field Manager designation – CSFM. Steven has been volunteering his time assisting the CFSTMA Board at its quarterly Chapter Meetings and Field Days over the pas year and a half.
Secretary – Chris Lessig
Chris has worked in the Parks and Recreation industry as a County and Municipal Parks Superintendent and County Parks Director for the past 25 years. He is currently a Volusia County Parks & Recreation manager. He is a graduate of Penn State University, Slippery Rock University and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom College Program; Chris has served as secretery on the CFSTMA Board since 2016. He is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional and graduate of NRPA’s Maintenance Management School.
Vice President Commercial – Chris Brown
Chris Brown is a graduate of Cornell University’s Horticulture program, class of 1994. He moved to Central Florida and began working at Lesco in Kissimmee, FL in 1995. Chris has worked at Howard Fertilizer, Helena, Bayer Advanced and now works for Nufarm Americas, covering the state of Florida. He is currently enrolled in the University of Florida’s MBA program. Chris is married to Wilna, his wife of 16 years. Wilna and Chris have a German Shepherd named Zeus and a cat named Merlin. Chris came on the Board in the fall of 2018 and continues to serve as Vice President of Commercial members.
Vice President of Education – David Nowakowski, CSFM
Dave is STMA Certified Sports Field Manager graduated from Pennsylvania State University 1999 with a BS in Turfgrass Science. He has worked in the Green Industry for 22 years. He has been responsible for creating and executing Agronomic Plans, calibrating spray and fertilizer equipment. As a Sales Rep for Harrell’s, Dave is responsible for creating Agronomic Plans, creating customized fertilizer blends, diagnosis and solutions of turf and ornamental issues, assisting in calibration or training. Dave has been a Board Member since 2015 serving as Vice President of Education assisting CEU coordination securing speakers for education topics at Chapter Meetings.
Past President – Dale Croft, CSFM Orange County Public Schools
Past President – Scott Grace University of South Florida