FOREST HILL, Md. – November 03, 2026 -- The Synthetic Turf Council (STC) named Stratton Kirton, Vice President Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Liberty Tire Recycling, chairman of its 2026-2027 Board of Directors at its Annual Conference, held October 26-28, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

Motz Group's Coleman becomes vice chairman as Woolpert and Schmitz Foam fill finance and secretary roles

Adam Coleman, Vice President of Growth at The Motz Group, is vice chairman. Todd Ford of Woolpert, Inc. is treasurer, and Peter Oksanen of Schmitz Foam Products is secretary. Chip Richardson, President of Sweetwater Construction, is director at large. Michael Gentile, Co-founder and CEO of Firefly Sports Testing, moves to immediate past chairman.

Seven further directors come from Shaw Sports Turf, Sprinturf LLC, Sportworks Design, Covia, Turf & Vine, OxyTurf and The Recreational Group.

STC President and CEO Melanie Taylor said the board's expertise will strengthen the association's work to "lead, educate and advocate for synthetic turf systems."

Shaw Industries' Virgo wins Volunteer of the Year for work on product stewardship laws

Troy Virgo, Director of Advocacy at Shaw Industries, Inc., received the Volunteer of the Year Award. STC cited his service on multiple committees and his leadership in the industry's response to expanded product stewardship laws.

Founding STC member Bruce Lemons, former President of Foresite Design, Inc., received the Lifetime Achievement Award for nearly four decades of planning and designing athletic and recreational facilities.

Conference agenda covered regulation, research and market trends

The conference, themed "Where the Industry Aligns," included sessions on emerging research, regulatory developments, market trends and community impact. The 2027 STC Annual Conference is scheduled for October 18-20, 2027, in San Diego, California.