FM Landscape Professional Recognized

The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) recently announced that Jeffrey Bourne, chief, division of facilities and capital programs for the Montgomery County (MD) Department of Recreation will receive the PGMS E. Earl Wilson Award on October 29, 2010 in Louisville, KY.

Jeffrey Bourne, chief, division of facilities and capital programs, Montgomery County (MD) Department of Recreation
Jeffrey Bourne, chief, division of facilities and capital programs, Montgomery County (MD) Department of Recreation

The E. Earl Wilson Award was established in 2004 to honor the person who spearheaded PGMS for many years and who was most instrumental in bringing about the establishment of the association’s exposition and education program The award is given “when appropriate” for outstanding and sustained service and dedication to the Society and the green industry as a whole. Bourne is a two time past president of PGMS and has represented the Society on the exposition Board. He is also executive vice president of operations for the American Landscape Contractors Association.

The Earl Wilson Award was presented in 2004 to Kevin O’Donnell, superintendent of grounds at Villanova University, and in 2007 to George Van Haasteren, CGM, director of grounds of the Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood, NJ.

Gold Medal For John Deere

Also in October, the John Deere company will be presented the 2010 PGMS Gold Medal. First presented in 1926 to noted horticulturist William Kleinheinz of Cheltenham Township, NJ, the PGMS Gold Medal is given to an individual or entity to recognize them for outstanding and long-term achievements and/or contributions to the green industry. In 2004, PGMS made this an annual award. John Deere is being recognized for its support of PGMS, PLANET (an international association serving lawn care professionals, landscape management contractors, design/build/installation professionals, and interior plantscapers), and other related organizations, as well as for initiatives associated with sustainability of landscapes.

John Deere is a PGMS Partner In Professionalism. Other suppliers partnered with PGMS are: Bartlett Tree Experts (Gold), Davey (Gold), Toro (Silver), and Midwest Rake Company LLC (Bronze).

Among other former recipients of the PGMS Gold Medal are: Pierre S. DuPont (1929), August Kock (1940), Leonard S. Buck (1950), Henry F. DuPont (1952), Mrs. Flagler Mathews (1959), Lady Bird Johnson (1968), E. Earl Wilson (1992), Jeffrey Bourne (1996), George Toma (2004), Floyd Perry (2005), Leonard Morrow, CGM (2006), Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (2007), and George Gaumer of Davey Tree (2007).

Founded in 1911 and located in Baltimore, MD, PGMS is an individual membership society of grounds professionals dedicated to advancing the grounds management profession through education and professional development.