CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Paul Giordano is a Director of Agronomy for Harrell’s LLC, managing research & development functions as well as providing technical sales support for the Golf, Sports Turf, and Turf & Landscape businesses. Dr. Giordano has worked in the turfgrass industry for over 24 years, holding positions at both public and private golf courses and gaining experience in both applied and basic turfgrass research. A three-time Spartan, Paul earned a B.S. in Crop and Soil Sciences and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Michigan State University. He currently resides in Canton, Michigan, with his wife and two daughters.
Paul Giordano
Gary has been involved in the irrigation industry since 1981 starting with the operation and maintenance of a 54 Hole golf irrigation system. Upon graduating with his Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1985, he spent a year installing golf irrigation at 4 courses and transitioned into his career in irrigation sales, service and design at two different irrigation distributors. In 2013 he started up GT Irrigation Services to provide third party independent irrigation consulting services specializing in golf courses and sports fields. Gary has been the irrigation instructor for the Diploma in Turfgrass Management program and the Turf Managers Short Course since 2015.
Gary Taylor
Derek is native of Wichita, Kansas with degrees from Kansas State University. Dr. Settle returned to the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) as Director of Turfgrass Programs in 2021. For five years Derek worked for Bayer Environmental Science (now Envu) as a technical representative on the Green Solutions Team. He helped launch the nematicide Indemnify in 2016. As a nematologist he continues to consult. Previously, Derek was in the same position in Chicago from 2006-2012. This nationally recognized turfgrass program began in 1985 in conjunction with the University of Illinois. No other golf association has a similar position. It is designed as a university extension specialist. The CDGA Turf Program provides multiple services: diagnostics, research, education and communications. The current membership is the largest ever with 410 golf clubs. All turfgrass services are available to members without a fee. During the summer season, diagnostics and research are the cornerstone. An extensive amount of turfgrass research is conducted each year.
Derek Settle
Dan Dinelli is a golf course superintendent and environmental steward with decades of experience managing high-performance turf with an emphasis on turf ecology. As a Superintendent at North Shore Country Club (Glenview, Illinois), Dan has been a long-time advocate for systems-based Integrated Pest Management (IPM), focusing on soil function, organic matter quality, and biological resilience rather than chemical dependency. His work emphasizes the use of compost and biochar as long-term infrastructure in sand-based rootzones, improving infiltration, oxygen balance, root health, and disease tolerance. Dan has contributed to BMP development, IPM education, and environmental initiatives through organizations such as GCSAA, MAGCS, and Audubon International, and is known for translating complex soil science into practical, superintendent-driven management strategies.
Dan Dinelli
Jill MacDonald is a keynote speaker, adaptive athlete, and resilience strategist who understands what it means to perform when conditions are never perfect. As an international adaptive golfer, Jill brings a perspective shaped by the realities of the game; where adaptability, problem-solving and sound decision making matter as much as skill. After surviving stage 4 cancer, losing her husband to cancer, and undergoing an above-knee amputation to save her life, Jill was forced to rethink how she moved, worked, and approached every aspect of daily life. Rather than framing her experience as a story of survival alone, she translates it into practical insight on working with what you have, adjusting when plans meet reality, and staying effective under pressure. Jill’s engaging, honest, and often humorous approach leaves audiences feeling understood, energized, and equipped with a renewed perspective on adaptability; on the golf course and beyond it.
Jill MacDonald
Rick joined the Patterson Law team in 2014 when he and partner Greg MacDonald, K.C.’s New Glasgow-based firm, Goodman MacDonald, joined the Patterson Law banner. However, his connection to those at the firm can be traced back to his university days prior to his admission to the bar in 1974. Ricks active law career spanned 48 years and continues as advisory counsel to Patterson Law.
As a lifelong Rotarian, past area governor and six-time president of the Rotary Club of New Glasgow, Rick’s efforts outside of his legal career have been equally as impressive to date.
He has served on Boards of Directors of the Decoste Entertainment Centre, Nova Scotia Museum of Industry, Aberdeen Health Foundation, the Goods and Services advisory committee drafting regulations under the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act and many others. As a self-proclaimed “public nuisance for the public good,” Rick looks forward to volunteering his time in retirement with the Rotary Club of New Glasgow to promote the accessibility and design of spaces in Pictou County and beyond.
Rick has enjoyed golf from any early age. His first lessons were in 1961 from the then Pro of Abercrombie Golf & Country Club and fellow polio victim the amazing athlete Cliff Seaver. Rick continues with the assistance of an Adaptive golf cart (SoloRider) and has taken a particular interest in accessibility in sports.
Richard Goodman, K.C
Carla Bailey is an HR strategist, leadership coach, and the proprietor of Solutions by CB (SBC), a boutique consultancy supporting small to mid-sized landscaping companies. With over a decade of green industry experience, she helps owners and managers strengthen hiring, performance, retention, and leadership systems—without adding corporate fluff. Carla is also the co-founder of Women in Landscaping, a nonprofit focused on advancing women in the trade. Known for her straightforward, practical style, she equips leaders with tools that align business needs with employee well-being and long-term sustainability.
Carla Bailey
Emerson is in his third season as the Golf Course Superintendent at KenWo Golf Club in New Minas, Nova Scotia. His greenkeeping career began in 2013 at Eden Golf and Country Club. He has also worked at well-known courses, including the Algonquin Resort and Capilano Golf and Country Club, before taking on his current role at KenWo. Outside of work, Emerson enjoys golfing, cooking, traveling, playing hockey, and spending time with family and friends.
Emerson Coulter
Robert was introduced to the turf industry at a very young age when he and his sister would accompany their father to the golf course on snow and PA days while he worked away on the equipment. Robert took his first job in 2004 at the Idylwylde G&CC in Sudbury Ontario; he worked there until 2010. Robert attended the Turf Managers Short Course in 2011 and took a 2nd Assistant Position at Muskoka Lakes G&CC immediately following that. The following year Robert moved to the Assistants position and remained there until May of 2015, at which time Robert took his first Head Superintendent role at the North Bay G&CC. In 2022 Robert moved to PEI and became the Head Superintendent at Glasgow Hills Resort & Golf Course. Robert became the Head Superintendent at Glen Arbour Golf Course in 2025. Robert and his wife of 11 years have a 10-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son and live in Enfield.
Robert Clark
2026 marks Erica Beck’s 30th year in the Canadian golf industry. Getting her start as a server while obtaining a degree in Business Administration, she rose through the ranks at a Redwoods Golf Course in Langley, BC in various management positions and ending her career there as General Manager. She later had the opportunity to manage the Eaglequest location in Coquitlam, BC before she left the golf course to assist operators in British Columbia and Alberta as Regional Director of the NGCOA Canada. While with the NGCOA Canada she served as the President of NAGA Alberta, show manager of the Vancouver GOLFEXPO, and assisted the industry through the Covid pandemic. Erica has since been with Rain Bird for the past four years as the Area Sales Manager responsible for golf irrigation sales in Canada and resides in Langley, BC.
Erica Beck
Andy has been Superintendent at Hampton Golf Club in Hampton, NB for 33 years. He has been an AGSA member for 40 years.
