News from ATA

Welcome to our New Incoming Board Members

Todd Daniel (Park and Rec) holds an associate's degree in Turfgrass Management from Jefferson State Community College. He has been professionally licensed as an Ornamental Turf and Pest Control Supervisor since 2015. Now in his 18th year of employment with the city of Hoover, Daniel oversees all turf care operations assigned to the city's Horticulture & Urban Forestry Division. As a lead supervisor, Daniel oversees turf care applications on more than 75 acres of sports and prime turf, including all city athletic fields, public parks and facilities, and the Hoover Met Complex. His role at the Met Complex is highlighted by administering the turf program prescribed to ready the stadium field for the SEC Baseball Tournament.

When he's not working, Daniel enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife of 17 years, Leslie and their two incredible children, Paisley and Henry.”

Pearson Lowery (Golf) graduated from Auburn in 2019 with a degree in Agronomy and Soils focusing on Turfgrass Management. Upon graduation he worked as an Assistant Superintendent at the Robert Trent Jones Magnolia Grove Course from May 2019 until moving to Dothan in May 2022. He became Head Superintendent there in November 2023.

Pearson played baseball in school and his early interest in the field of turf began during that time. He later played golf and that cemented his desire to work with the turfgrass industry. During college he worked with Jeff Oelmann, CGCS and Patrick Pierce.

Pearson and his wife Julia have a three-year-old daughter named Georgia, and a nine-month-old son named PJ (Pearson Jr.).

Costa Marinakis Sr. (Lawn Care) is a native of Gardendale, Alabama who relocated to and raised a family in Cullman, Alabama. He is the co-owner of D&C Alabama Landscape Inc. Costa partners with his brother Dimitri in this family-run business. He has been in the lawn care industry for the past 30 years.

“I’ve always appreciated the Alabama Turfgrass Association and the information and services provided by them. I look forward to serving this great organization.”

All members are encouraged to attend the ATA Business Meeting on Wednesday, October 29th to vote on the slate below in Room D-3 at 1:00 PM.

2026 ATA Slate ofOfficers and Board

President

Drew Charcandy

University of Alabama

Vice President

Lee Fillingim

Anniston Country Club

Secretary / Treasurer

Robert Mitchell

FarmLinks

Past President

Patrick Pierce

RTJ Gold Trail at Grand National

Board of Directors

Parks and Rec

Todd Daniel

City of Hoover

At-Large

Chad Warren

Warren Lawn Care

John David Andrus

Spring-Green Lawn Care

Jarron Ligon

City of Daphne

Lawn Care

Costa Marinakis

D&C Landscapes

Golf

Pearson Lowery

Dothan Country Club

Industry

Bryan Scroggins

Harrell’s

Sod

Nate Lewis

Beck’s Turf Farm

Institution

Ben Anderson

State of Alabama

Education Advisors

Dave Han, Ph.D.

Auburn University

John Nabors

Alabama Green IndustryTraining Center / ACES