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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22, 2004

New Executive Director Named for Pennsylvania Turfgrass Research Trust

State College, PA: Jerred D. Golden, President of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC), has announced the selection of James K. Wellen of Voorhees, NJ, to serve as the first Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Research Trust.

PTC established the Trust this year to create an endowment fund that will ensure a permanent source of funding for critical ongoing turfgrass research at Penn State’s Center for Turfgrass Science. It presents an opportunity for those who benefit most from top-quality golf courses to contribute to the continued improvement of turfgrass everywhere.

In his new position Wellen will work with leading volunteers and Penn State alumni to conduct the “Growing the Game” campaign, the first effort to create awareness of the fund and the research it will support. He will suggest a variety of ways that golf clubs, organizations, and individuals can help fund the Trust. According to PTC President Golden, “We believe this endowment is a major step in ensuring that the world class research being conducted at Penn State will continue to expand to improve turfgrass.”

“As a weekend golfer and gardener, I am struck by the value and importance of the turfgrass research program at Penn State,” the new Executive Director explained. “PTC has dedicated leaders, volunteers, and friends. I look forward to helping them succeed in increasing support for turfgrass research through the ‘Growing the Game’ campaign.”

Wellen comes to PTC with a wealth of experience in non-profit management and marketing, in addition to being a seasoned fundraiser. He has conducted highly successful campaigns that benefited a scientific research institute affiliated with a major university, as well as museums, health care organizations, and social service agencies in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Prior to establishing his own consulting firm, he was Executive Director for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

On learning of his new appointment, Wellen told the PTC Board, “I’m delighted to be working with the members of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council who have demonstrated such a commitment to supporting this effort. The idea of helping advance world class research at Penn State is very satisfying.” For more information on the Trust, Wellen can be contacted through the PTC business office at 814-238-2402 or directly at 609-238-8903.

In addition to founding the Research Trust, the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council promotes professionalism in all facets of the turfgrass industry by providing educational opportunities, encouraging future industry leadership through scholarship and awards, and promoting interaction with government agencies, private institutions, and the general public.

Members include golf course superintendents, owners/operators of lawn care services, nurserymen, landscapers, sod growers, sports field managers and representatives of companies that serve them. For more information on PTC and “Growing the Game” is available at www.paturf.org/.