ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – Art Campbell, president of Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), announced that the organization’s board of trustees has appointed Kirk Hunter to the position of TPI Executive Director. Hunter will be taking the reigns from Doug Fender who announced his retirement earlier this month.
“Kirk’s contribution to TPI has proven to be immeasurable and has been evident from the time he joined the association in 2001 as our education and meetings manager to the present,” Campbell says. “He has continually taken it upon himself to expand his contribution and broaden his areas of responsibility to serve the diversified needs of our members. His dedication, enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of our industry, along with his unselfish devotion to our membership and the turfgrass industry, have always been apparent and have been an invaluable asset in helping TPI to achieve its goals.
“Kirk’s ‘behind-the-scenes’ contributions to TPI are as extensive as his more visible roles. His experience and leadership attributes are sure to enhance TPI’s ongoing commitment to serving the needs of our association’s membership effectively and efficiently.”
During his career with TPI, Hunter has handled a multitude of responsibilities including but not limited to educational activities, meeting planning of TPI’s Midwinter Conference and Summer Convention & Field Days and the administration of the ITPF research and fund raising program. He has served as the primary liaison between the TPI staff and members of the board of trustees, and he has participated on a wide range of committees and task forces.
Hunter is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he received his Bachelors of Science in agronomy/plant sciences and his Masters of Science in education. During his studies he worked extensively for the university’s school of natural resources and environmental sciences including its turf department, plant pathology department and agricultural education department. Hunter currently resides in Crystal Lake, Ill. with his wife Lori. His new position will become effective on Jan. 1.