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Christopher Nagel leaves Scotts Miracle-Gro

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. has announced that Christopher L. Nagel, executive vice president of the Company's North American consumer business, has decided to leave the company effective immediately.

The company emphasized that Nagel's departure -- along with the previously announced departure of former general counsel and corporate secretary David M. Aronowitz -- was neither related to the company's performance nor concerns about its financial controls.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Hagedorn will assume day-to-day responsibility of the North American business on an interim basis until a permanent replacement for Nagel is named. Hagedorn led the North American business from 1996 until 2001, when he was named CEO.

"I will miss the important contributions and strong voice that Chris brought to the company, but I am confident our experienced team in North America will keep us on track for continued growth and success," Hagedorn said. "While the management changes we announced this week mark a sad time for our company, it is critical that we move ahead and remain focused on growing our business."

Brandenburg named Reynolds Professor
 
Rick Brandenburg, Ph.D., a North Carolina State University entomologist, has been named a William Neal Reynolds Professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State.
 
The William Neal Reynolds Professorship is one of the highest distinctions available to N.C. State University faculty members. Brandenburg, a professor of entomology and a North Carolina Cooperative Extension entomologist, was one of four new Reynolds professors.
 
The Reynolds Professorships were established in 1950 by William Neal Reynolds, long-time president and board chairman of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., to recognize and support outstanding faculty achievement in research, teaching and extension. Since then, N.C. State and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have awarded 72 professorships, including the four newest Reynolds professors.
 
Brandenburg conducts research and extension programs focusing on insect pest management in peanuts and turf. His work has changed pest management practices and reduced insect management costs for both peanuts and turf. He serves as co-director of the North Carolina Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research and Education, which is designed to promote environmentally benign management of the state’s 2.2 million acres of turfgrass.
 
The other three new Reynolds professors are: Margaret Daub, Ph.D., professor and head, Department of Plant Biology; Walter Thurman, Ph.D., professor of agricultural and resource economics; Michael Schulman, Ph.D., professor of sociology and anthropology.

Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council hires management company

The Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council has contracted with Calabrese Management Inc., an association management company based in Harrisburg, Pa., to provide administrative services.

Denise R. Calabrese, named executive director of PTC, has been working in non-profit management for 19 years. Her focus has been in public affairs, public relations, fundraising, strategic planning, media relations and crisis communications.

In addition, PTC staff will include Amy Bell, database and financial manager; Bethany Dennis, communications manager; Julie Sullivan, events coordinator; and Tonya Weikel, customer service representative.