Crystal Rose-Fricker is the president of Pure Seed and Pure-Seed Testing Inc. Her family has 3 generations in Oregon Ag. over the last 40 years. She has developed 398 turf and forage grass cultivars, 138 of which are on the European Union list. Over 1 billion lbs. of seed have been produced of PST cultivars to date.

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She has made her mark in research and breeding for over 40 years where she earned the NCCPB Genetics and Plant Breeding award for Industry and she has been recognized with the “6th most influential women in Golf” by Sports Illustrated magazine. Her leadership in the grass seed industry was honored by the Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences Distinguished Alumni Leader Award.

She is the NW Executive V.P. for ASTA and is actively involved in the European Seed Association, International Seed Federation, Oregon Seed Association and the TBA, a National Breeders Association for grasses.

At the young age of 13, Austin Fricker began his tenure at Pure-Seed Testing Inc. as a summer research technician, sparking a lifelong passion for the seed industry. After earning his undergraduate degree in Crop and Soil Science and International Politics and Policy from Oregon State University, where he successfully implemented sustainable agricultural practices in a Nicaraguan community farm project, Austin went on to pursue a Master of Science degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics, working with Dr. Shaun Townsend in the hop breeding program.

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Returning to Pure Seed Testing as a full-time Plant Breeder in 2015, Austin's dedication and expertise were quickly recognized. Promoted to Vice President in 2017 and Production Manager in 2019, he continues to play a vital role in the company's success. Seed World named Austin the Future Leader of the Seed Industry and featured him in their 2023 Top Ten Next Gen Leaders article.  Austin's leadership extends beyond Pure Seed, with his active involvement in various industry organizations, including the Turfgrass Breeders Association, the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Policy Committee, and the Oregon Seed Association Science and Technology Committee.

Dr. Melodee Fraser is the Director of Research at Pure Seed Testing-East, Rolesville, NC.  Dr. Fraser received a Ph.D. in turfgrass breeding from Rutgers University, under the direction of Dr. Reed Funk.  Dr. Fraser’s primary research responsibility is the development of tall fescue cultivars with improved summer performance.  Her secondary research objective is the development of seeded turf-type bermudagrass and zoysiagrass cultivars.  Dr. Fraser’s research program also evaluates and selects germplasm with improved heat and drought tolerance, disease resistance, and summer turf performance in Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, bentgrass, and fine fescue species.

John Holmes is president of Atlas Turf International and has worked in the turfgrass and golf course industries for over 30 years. He began his career as a golf course superintendent and later moved into construction, helping to build courses for top architects. Holmes played a key role in modernizing the washing and global shipping of turfgrass stolons. In 2014, he partnered with Pure Seed to launch Pure Dynasty, a seeded seashore paspalum variety, leading to a broader collaboration on global turfgrass solutions. He holds a degree in turf management and maintains active leadership roles in several industry groups, including the Asian Golf Industry Federation and Golf Course Builders Association of America. He has been recognized for his contributions to golf construction and turfgrass innovation and continues to serve the global turf community with a focus on quality and performance.

Jack has served in leadership of TWCA since 2014. In this capacity, he serves on a number of professional and leadership committees, most notably chairing the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board/Specialty Crop Committee (SCC.) He is a small grants reviewer for the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL.) He received his BS of Environmental Science in 2013 from Oregon State, specializing in water science and policy. He is the proud parent of two wonderful boys and an avid birder with his beautiful wife.

Dr. Raymer is a professor of turfgrass breeding at the University of Georgia’s Griffin Campus, where he leads efforts to develop improved turfgrass cultivars for fine turf and environmental applications. His work focuses on seashore paspalum, tall fescue, zoysiagrass, and creeping bentgrass, with an emphasis on salt tolerance, drought resistance, and disease resilience. In addition to breeding for high-stress environments, Dr. Raymer’s research explores herbicide resistance systems, the genetics of salinity tolerance, and the use of enzymes to address thatch and localized dry spots. His program supports innovation across golf, sports, and landscape turf through advanced plant science and applied research.

Dr. Mike Richardson has been a faculty member in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Arkansas since 1998, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in turfgrass management and conducts research on cultural practices that impact cool- and warm-season turfgrass production in transition zone environments. In addition to his activities at the University of Arkansas, he was also appointed as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Padova (Italy) in 2013.

Dr. Richardson has authored over 120 journal articles on turfgrass management and physiology, published 10 book chapters, and delivered over 300 invited lectures on various aspects of turfgrass management around the nation and world. Dr. Richardson has been recognized as a Fellow in both the Crop Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy and was awarded the Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Science Award. He was also recognized at the University of Arkansas with the Spitze Land Grant University Faculty Award of Excellence.

Rodney Hightower is the owner and operator of Strome Fisher Farms Inc., a diversified farming operation based in Junction City, Oregon. With decades of experience in the Willamette Valley, Hightower manages over 400 acres dedicated to the production of cool-season turfgrasses, along with a rotation of five other seed and grain crops. His farm focuses on sustainable practices and high-quality seed production for both domestic and international markets. Hightower is an active member of the local agricultural community and contributes to ongoing conversations around innovation in Oregon seed farming. He values the long-standing partnerships he has built across the seed industry and is committed to preserving the region’s reputation for excellence in turf and forage seed. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.