Association News: Sept. 1997

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute elected Pat-rick Curtiss from American Honda Motor Company as chairman. Mark Rostvold, Deere & Company, was elected vice chair-man, and David Zerfoss, Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co., secretary/treasurer.

The National Landscape Association issued a call for entries for its 1997 American Garden Awards contest. The deadline for entries is Nov. 14. For information, call 202/789-2900.

The Ambassador Speakers Program, devel-oped by the Professional Lawn Care Assoc-iation of America, Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has been so successful that the groups are exploring options for expanding the program beyond Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. For information, call 800/458-3466.

The Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment elected new board members Bevan Cates (Van Waters & Rogers) and Ray Rogers (American Cyanamid) to three-year terms. Tom McGowan (Novartis) and Mike Thurlow (The Scotts Co.) were reelected.

The Irrigation Association created a matching fund of $7,000 to help the Illinois Turf Irriga-tion Association pay legal fees as it fights to preserve the right of contractors to assemble irrigation components downstream of backflow prevention devices. The case is before the Illinois Supreme Court where the ITIA hopes an earlier decision requiring licensed plumbers assemble the components will be overturned.

Carl Meyer, Horticultural Services Inc., was elected president of the American Nursery & Landscape Association. Other new board members include: Edward Porter, vice president and Thomas Pinney, treasurer.