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Recent Event
MTA Annual Meeting
October 18, 2023 – Biloxi, MS
The MTA Annual Meeting was held again in Biloxi in conjunction with the Deep South Turf Expo. MTA President Will Arnett opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. A slide show of events and meetings held in 2023 was shown before beginning the business meeting.
Scholarships were awarded to Daniel Martin, student at East Mississippi Community College, and George Brooks and Macy Sansing, students at Mississippi State University.
The MTA Outstanding Turf Professional recipient is Mr. Elvin Ulmer, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Laurel, Mississippi. Elvin is also Director of the Facilities Maintenance Department and the Cemetery Department. He is certified in Sports Field Management and Environmental Facility Management. The City of Laurel has named their softball field complex in his honor—City of Laurel Elvin Ulmer Eightplex.
The 2023 Bud Thigpen Distinguished Service Award recipient is Dr. Wayne Wells. Dr. Wells is and has been a great advocate for the turfgrass industry in Mississippi. Wayne has served the Mississippi Turf Industry as its first full time dedicated to Turfgrass Extension Specialist from 2000 to his retirement in 2013. Dr. Wells is active in his church serving as usher and board member. He is also a board member of the Friends of Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. Every Wednesday morning you will find him helping with Habitat for Humanity. Since his retirement, he has served the Mississippi Turfgrass Association as a valued volunteer support person for our association especially as “right-hand” man for our Executive Secretary, Ms. Linda Wells.
