The grounds supervisor at University of Wisconsin-Stout has been certified by a national organization.
Mike Smith, of Menomonie, who has worked at UW-Stout for 11 years, recently received a Certified Grounds Manager designation by the Professional Grounds Management Society.
The certification includes a professional portfolio evaluation and a test. Certified managers also must be recertified every three years.
“I wanted to become a CGM to help me further my professional growth in the industry. Going through the CGM certification process has made me look at all aspects of how we operate at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, helping to validate our processes across our department,” Smith said.
“In the process to become a CGM, I feel I have grown as a supervisor. By working on the certification, you must look at all aspects of your department in a non-compartmentalized way and gain a better understanding on how you operate,” he said.
Smith is responsible for the grounds of the approximately 125-acre campus, overseeing a staff of five full-time and nine part-time employees. Winter duties include snow removal from the 17 miles of sidewalks and 26 acres of commuter parking lots on campus.
Recently, Smith and his staff installed new landscaping around two buildings that were renovated, Merle M. Price Commons and North Hall.
###
Photos
Mike Smith
Grounds supervisor Mike Smith, who recently became a nationally certified grounds manager, works on a sprinkler system near UW-Stout’s student center.
