Jimmy Simpson, CSFM
Asst. Public Works Director,
Town of Cary
Jimmy Simpson, CSFM
Asst. Public Works Director,
Town of Cary
Jimmy Simpson, CSFM is the Assistant Public Works Director for the Town of Cary, North Carolina, where he oversees operations for several premier athletic venues, including the USA Baseball National Training Complex and WakeMed Soccer Park. A past president of the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA), Jimmy has dedicated more than two decades to advancing the profession through exceptional leadership, mentorship, and service. He has served on numerous SFMA committees, helped guide the association through a period of unprecedented change, and played a key role in strengthening educational opportunities and supporting the next generation of sports field managers. His lasting contributions to the profession and unwavering commitment to SFMA exemplify the spirit of the Dick Ericson Founders Award.
| Year | Previous Award Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Jimmy Simpson, CSFM, Assistant Public Works Director, Town of Cary (NC) |
| 2024 | Larry DiVito, CSFM, Head Groundskeeper, Minnesota Twins |
| 2023 | Bill Marbet, Line to Line, LLC |
| 2022 | Weston Appelfeller, CSFM, Pioneer Athletics |
| 2021 | Joshua McPherson, CSFM, St. Louis CITY SC |
| 2020 | Marcus Dean, CSFM, Advanced Turf Solutions |
| 2019 | Allen Johnson, CSFM, Green Bay Packers |
| 2018 | Nicole Sherry, Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore (MD) |
| 2017 | Paul Burgess, Real Madrid and Estadio Santiago Bernabeu |
| 2016 | Tom Nielsen, Louisville Bats Baseball Club, Louisville (KY) |
| 2015 | Michael Buras, CSFM, Longwood Cricket Club, Chestnut Hill (MA) |
| 2014 | Tony Leonard, Philadelphia Eagles (PA) |
| 2013 | Rich Watson, Pine Hill Schools, Sewell (NJ) |
| 2012 | Amy Fouty, CSFM, Michigan State University Intercollegiate Athletics, East Lansing (MI) |
| 2011 | Darian Daily, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati (OH) |
| 2010 | Mike Trigg, CSFM, Waukegan Park District, Waukegan (IL) |
| 2009 | David Rulli, Jeffco Stadium, Lakewood (CO) |
| 2008 | Mike Tarantino, Poway Unified School District, Poway (CA) |
| 2007 | Donald Fowler, PSU Extension (Retired) (PA) |
| 2006 | Mike McDonald, CSFM, Turf Manager, University of Minnesota (MN) |
| 2005 | Floyd Perry, Owner, Grounds Maintenance Services, Orlando (FL) |
| 2004 | Steve LeGros, GCA Service at the University of New Hampshire (NH) |
| 2003 | Pat White, City of Hollywood (FL) |
| 2002 | Eric Adkins, CSFM, Michigan State University (MI) |
| 2001 | Heather Nabozny, Detroit Tigers (MI) |
| 2000 | By Hanson, Jefferson County Public Schools (CO) |
| 1999 | G.C. (George) Trivett, Granite Falls Middle School (NC) |
| 1998 | Ross Kurcab, Denver Broncos (CO) |
| 1997 | Merton Johnson, Cal State/Fullerton (CA) |
* Facility listed is where employed at time of award. Check Directory for current listing