Born in San Francisco, California, David Gradstein is one of the newer members of the Sports Turf Mangement team. His experience in his native state includes serving in the position of head groundskeeper for Billy Hebert Field in Stockton (the field used by the Mudville Nine, the minor league team of the Milwaukee Brewers.) Here he headed up a team of groundskeepers in the maintenance and running of the field during games. Prior to that, he was a hitting and defensive outfield instructor for California Team OPTI in Stockton where he provided one-on-one instruction, managed practices and training sessions, coordinated schedules and players. A year before, he served as Assistant On-Field Promotional Director for a Class A Minor League Affiliate for the Milwaukee Brewers Mudville Nine Professional Baseball Club. In this position, he was the direct liaison between the general manager and promotional staff, supervising promotions and guest services. As a Division I Baseball Player for the University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, Gradstein lead the Big West Conference in steals in ’98. His leadership skills and amicable personality led him to be appointed Alumni Coordinator for his fraternity in 1999, where he helped plan and facilitate multiple philanthropic programs. He held this position while also serving as volunteer assistant coach for the university baseball team. Gradstein comes to Sports Turf Management from his most recent position as an assistant groundskeeper for the Georgia Tech Athletic Association. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sport Science. His hobbies include hunting, fishing and baseball.