Arkansas Turfgrass Association

Email: my.xiang@okstate.edu

Dr. Mingying Xiang is an Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science at Oklahoma State University. She earned her M.S. in Horticulture from Oklahoma State University and her Ph.D. from Kansas State University. Dr. Xiang’s research centers on turfgrass stress physiology, with emphasis on low-temperature injury, water conservation, and the development of climate-resilient bermudagrass for athletic and landscape systems. Her work includes evaluating drought- and cold-tolerant cultivars, identifying management practices that improve winter survival, and developing sustainable strategies for turfgrass grown in water-limited or climate-challenging environments. Her research has been published in leading turfgrass science journals and contributes to improving both performance and resiliency in sports turf. In extension, Dr. Xiang supports Oklahoma’s turfgrass and horticultural industries through field days, hands-on workshops, applied demonstrations, and train-the-trainer programs that deliver research-based solutions to practitioners across the state.

Email: matucker@auburn.edu

Aaron is an Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Management at Auburn University. A native of Carthage, Mississippi, he received his B.S. From Mississippi State University in Golf and Sports Turf Management, his M.Sc. from Mississippi State University in Plant Pathology, and his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science. His masters work focused on ectotrophic root-infecting fungi in ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens, and his Ph.D.  focused on working closely with the lance nematode and the effects they have on creeping bentgrass greens in Virginia.  His current research focus is on turfgrass diseases and nematodes in Alabama and the Deep South. 

Email:  pablo.boeri@ag.tamu.edu

Dr. P. Agustin Boeri is an Assistant Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife. His program, located at the AgriLife Dallas Center, integrates extension and research to address crucial aspects of turfgrass management related to water quantity and quality, fertilizer use, turfgrass selection, and effective weed and pest management. Before joining academia, Dr. Boeri worked in the turfgrass industry as a sales representative and consultant, where he assisted golf courses, sports fields, and commercial lawns in addressing their turfgrass management challenges. At Texas A&M, his mission is to promote environmentally sustainable turfgrass management practices. His program is strongly based on collaboration with the industry, contributing to turfgrass associations, supporting educational efforts, and conducting product testing.

Email:  mricha@uark.edu

Dr. Mike Richardson is a Horticulture professor at the University of Arkansas, where his research focuses on management of warm- and cool-season turfgrass systems. Much of this work has been focused on golf course systems, but he has also worked in sports turf, lawns, and sod production. Over the past decade, his work has also included research on enhancing biodiversity in turfgrass systems and restoring native grassland habitat in the prairie regions of Arkansas.

X:  @vtturfweeds

Email:  saskew@vt.edu

Dr. Shawn Askew, a Mississippi native, has spent over two decades shaping the future of turfgrass weed science. With a B.S. and M.S. from Mississippi State University and a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University (2001), he now serves as Professor and Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. Recently honored with Virginia Tech’s University Alumni Award for Outstanding Extension, Dr. Askew leads statewide efforts to develop cutting-edge weed control programs for turfgrass, blending science with practical impact. His research has secured over $13 million in funding, mentoring 21 Ph.D. and 8 M.S. graduates into the field. A prolific voice, he’s published over 130 peer-reviewed articles and delivered more than 1,400 talks, earning accolades like the Weed Science Society of America’s Outstanding Early Career Weed Scientist and Southern Weed Science Society’s Outstanding Young Weed Scientist. As Past President of the Northeastern Weed Science Society and current President-elect of the Southern Weed Science Society, his influence spans the discipline. Dr. Askew’s lab pioneers sustainable weed control techniques, such as lasers, cryogenics, and drones, while leveraging cutting-edge research to understand pollinator foraging and native plant distribution to enhancing roadside turf and green spaces globally.

Email: gmcdonal@uark.edu

Dr. Garry McDonald is a Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture, University of Arkansas. He received a B.S. and M.S. in Floriculture and a PhD in Horticulture all from Texas A&M University.  Dr. McDonald teaches the curriculum in landscape horticulture in addition to plant propagation and horticulture career development.  He is a regular guest lecturer in Plants, People, and You which is the general survey class geared to non-majors. Previous experiences include operating a self-owned business in the landscape design and build industry. His research background includes field and greenhouse studies in rose production, extensive experience in bedding plant production and landscape performance evaluation trials.  Research interests include sustainable landscape design, resource efficient landscape plant development, and ethnobotany and medicinal plants. Dr. McDonald is currently the chair of the horticulture undergraduate program committee and serves as a university faculty senator representing the Bumper’s College AFLS in addition to serving on multiple university, college, and departmental committees. He is also the horticulture department’s internship coordinator.

Email: Grahamk@bvvpoa.com 

X handle:  @GrahamKornmeyer

LinkedIn:  Linkedin.com/in/Graham-Kornmeyer-CGCS-8293603

Graham Kornmeyer, CGCS is currently the Director of Golf Course Maintenance for the Bella Vista POA in Arkansas since April 2024.  Previously, he was the Golf Course Superintendent at Southern Trace Country Club from 2020-2024, the Director of Agronomy at Black Diamond Ranch from 2016-2020, and a Regional Superintendent for Clubcorp from 2012-2016.  He has 20 years of experience as a Golf Course Superintendent and became certified through the GCSAA in 2018.  He is a graduate of the University of Georgia obtaining his Bachelors of Science degree in Turfgrass Management.

Email: gregj@bvvpoa.com

X handle:  @GrahamKornmeyer

I have been at The Highlands as the Golf Course Superintendent for 16 years. Prior to that, I worked for Agra Turf for 5 years in sales for the Fisher family. From 1996-2003, I was at Pinnacle Country Club as Superintendent. I have worked on golf courses in Indiana, Georgia, Colorado, and grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where I first got the bug to work on a golf course way back in 1981. I graduated from Penn State University in 1993 after completing their 2-year turf program.

Personally, I have two teenagers, a boy and girl who are both currently negotiating and presenting reasons why they each need their own vehicle which is full of good times.

I love what I do, I fish when I can and spend a lot of time going between my kids’ different sport activities.