The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) has announced that Darcy Loy of Normal, Ill. has become the 133rd grounds management professional to successfully complete its Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) program. Loy currently serves as the director of grounds at Illinois State University and has been in that position for the past three years.
Loy wanted to become a CGM to help advance her career at Illinois State University as well as cross something off her “professional bucket list,” a list of things she wants to accomplish that will be useful and of great value in her career. “The CGM certification helps to emphasize not only my knowledge of horticultural practices but my leadership skills as well,” said Loy.
After completing the two-part exam process, Loy reflected on her thoughts about the program. “It was a very challenging program. I was most nervous about passing the written part of the exam. When moving into a leadership role, you don’t normally have your hands immersed in the “day to day” as before; you have to focus more on the big, operational picture. Encompassing the entire campus was challenging, but the end product will be a very useful tool for our department.”
Loy shared some advice for aspiring CGM’s, “I think my biggest piece of advice would be never cease the learning process. Our industry changes quickly and it is important to keep up on current trends, especially sustainable issues.”
Those achieving the CGM professional designation must have first accomplished a set level of education and on-the-job experience and then successfully complete a two-part examination process administered by PGMS.