TCIA Podcast

En el segundo episodio en español del podcast de TCIA, hablamos con el estimado Mauricio Gonzalez Muñoz tambien conocido como Mao Ropelombia, arborista, trabajador del cuidado de los árboles y escalador de competencia colombiano. Como Director de Formación e Instructor de arboricultura de la Escuela de Poda en Altura de La Casa del Arborista, y el único Embajador de habla hispana de Notch Equipment, tiene una perspectiva diversa, especial y mundial.Challenges and Accomplishments in Latin American Arboriculture with Mauricio Gonzalez MuñozIn the second Spanish-language episode of the TCIA podcast, we speak with the esteemed Mauricio Gonzalez Muñoz a.k.a Mao Ropelombia, a Colombian arborist, tree care worker, and competitive climber. As Director of Training and Arboriculture Instructor at La Casa del Arborista's High Pruning School, and Notch Equipment's only Spanish-speaking Ambassador, he has a diverse, special, and global perspective.

In this episode of the podcast, we talk with one of our past Marketing Excellence Award winners, Jeff Wilson, about how Ronin got started at  TCI EXPO and the importance of tradeshows in their marketing plan.Jeff is highly experienced with CPG, Retail, Semiconductor, Veterinary Hospital, and Product marketing communications. In addition to generating outstanding creativity, Jeff has deep expertise in business planning and analysis, new product or service development, team development, sales performance management, brand analysis, and future forecasting.   Jeff co-founded Deulofew Wilson Advertising, a specialty 4-A agency that provided marketing communication solutions to market challenges for multi-unit, small to mid-sized businesses. Deulofew Wilson was acquired by DDB Worldwide Group, where Jeff held senior creative and management positions. He developed integrated MarCom programs for accounts, including Weight Watchers, Michelin Tires, Olympus Camera, Tandy Corp, Sears, Computer City, IKEA, and The Incredible Universe.To learn more and to get involved with the TCIAF, please visit them at tcia.org.To learn more and to register for EAW, visit us at eaw.tcia.org.

On this episode of the podcast Jill Golden, Project Manager, Corporate Communications at The Davey Tree Expert Company, joins us to talk about Davey's podcast and ongoing video series that led to them being selected as a winner of 2022 Marketing Excellence Awards.Jill Golden is a project manager in corporate communications for The Davey Tree Expert Company, an employee-owned corporation that provides tree, utility, lawn care and environmental consulting services in the green industry throughout the United States and Canada. Golden is a graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and holds a bachelor's degree in public relations. She resides in Cleveland, Ohio, and can be reached at jill.golden@davey.com.To learn more and to get involved with the TCIAF, please visit them at tcia.org.To learn more and to register for EAW, visit us at eaw.tcia.org.

On this episode of the podcast Eric Peterson, President of Arborisk, joins us to talk about risk management, insurance, and what it means for your tree care business.After graduating with a Forestry degree from Univ. Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2003 and working as an arborist for a parks department, Eric joined his family's insurance agency and began helping tree care companies grow and properly protect themselves. Seeing a need for a more specialized approach for the tree care industry, Eric and his team created the ArboRisk program around two basic principles:  1. To help every arborist get home safe each night. 2. To help tree care companies grow and professionalize.  Eric is a past president and recent recipient of the Wisconsin Arborist Association's Honorary Life Membership Award as well as a member of TCIA, ISA and multiple ISA chapters.Check out the IndusTREE podcast here.To learn more and to get involved with the TCIAF, please visit them at tcia.org.To learn more and to register for EAW, visit us at eaw.tcia.org.

In this episode, we are joined by Korey Conry to talk about his experience as a trainer.Korey Conry is a Field Safety Supervisor/Trainer at Mountain F Enterprises and has been in the tree industry for over four years. He found his home in the safety and training department onboarding helping develop the safety culture with new hires. He is a certified arborist and qualified TRAQ through the ISA, California Flagger instructor, CPR/First Aid instructor, TCIA instructor, and OSHA Authorized Trainer. Korey has since November 2020 has been an instructor of a 5-week utility line clearance arborist class through Butte College. Korey has worked in wildland firefighting, as an emergency room technician, and has a love for the outdoors. When he is not working, you can find him sitting under a Blue Oak in Northern California turkey hunting or watching Star Wars/Harry Potter with his family on movie night To learn more and to get involved with the TCIAF, please visit them at tcia.org.To learn more and to register for EAW, visit us at eaw.tcia.org.

In this episode, we are joined by Katie Petrikas and Virginia Gregoire and talk about their involvement in TCIA's education space.Katie has been with TCIA for four years. She has worked in a variety of roles over that time, including member experience, where she developed a deep understanding of member needs and how to meet them. Katie leverages this knowledge to develop courses specifically tailored to the needs of the industry. Katie's educational background in graphic design and user experience and interface design allows her to create engaging and interactive materials that facilitate effective learning. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and their son, going for walks in the woods, and caring for her small forest of house plants.Currently, Virginia serves as the director of curriculum and course design at TCIA, where she leads a team of instructional developers and subject matter experts in developing and implementing programs that meet the evolving needs of students and employers. Virginia utilizes her expertise in the development of competency-based training programs and adult learning theory to offer a blended approach to employee development, combining online learning and on the job skills training. Her passion for education and commitment to excellence make her a highly respected leader in the field of curriculum and course design.  Most recently, she was the chief architect in designing a custom learning platform infrastructure which has modernized the educational landscape for the tree care industry. To learn more and to get involved with the TCIAF, please visit them at tcia.org.To learn more and to register for EAW, visit us at eaw.tcia.org.

In this episode, we celebrate Women in Tree Care Month with Amy Tetreault and talk about her new role as Executive Vice President of TCIA.The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) is a trade association of 2,300 tree care firms and affiliated companies worldwide on a mission to advance tree care businesses by developing standards of tree care practice, safety programs, and continuing education that promotes the safe and appropriate practice of tree care. In this newly formed role, Amy is responsible for helping TCIA teams translate strategy into actionable steps for growth, as well as implementing organization-wide goal setting, company operations, and employee productivity. She has served in roles of increasing responsibility and authority within the corporate engagement, development, and marketing teams. During her tenure at TCIA, Tetreault also helped launch the Women in Tree Care initiative (now headed up by TCIA's own Erin Demers). 

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Kristoffer Rasmussen, CTSP, QCL, Manager of Urban Forestry for the City of Dallas, to discuss the benefits the blended learning model of education that TCIA is utilizing.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Bill Hickman, Training Director of Heartwood Tree Service, to discuss the benefits of becoming an arborist apprentice.About Heartwood:For over 40 years, Heartwood Tree has cared for the trees of the Charlotte area and have expanded our services to Asheville as well as the Lake Norman area. As the first tree service company in North Carolina to be accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association, we have grown our business by practicing the science and standards of keeping trees healthy, and performing services safely.Heartwood views their Purpose as “Empowering people as tree stewards.” They empower them by creating emotional connections through people to trees. This is an experience and a service they provide to their employees, clients, and community.Their passion is the driving force to our relationships with each other and their surroundings.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Elizabeth Schulte, VP of Marketing at PlanIT Geo, to discuss how to enter the tree care industry with a love of technology.Elizabeth is the VP of Marketing, PlanIT Geo developers of TreePlotter Software. She is an experienced marketing, communications, and branding professional with a demonstrated history of working in the urban forestry and tree care industry. Elizabeth is also skilled in project management, urban forest management, arboriculture, communications, budget, inbound marketing, technical writing, education, and outreach related to the industry. Additionally, she has a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) focused on Urban Forestry from Western Illinois University and an Associate of Science Degree in Arboriculture.About PlanIT Geo:PlanIT Geo™ is a global urban forestry consulting and software development company. They are a passionate bunch of tree and technology nerds committed to expanding their client's ability to map, manage, and protect green assets. Since 2012, their ISA Certified Arborists, GIS professionals, planners, and software developers have led hundreds of projects, including urban tree canopy assessments, field-based tree inventories, strategic urban forest management, and master plan development. Their TreePlotter™ software is often integrated with their consulting services and used by urban foresters, arborists, park managers, and tree care companies worldwide. 

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Jeff Kish, Assistant Division Manager at Bartlett Tree Experts, to discuss what kind of person is perfect for the tree care industry.About JeffJeffrey Kish is a true lover of trees and plants.  An employee of Bartlett Tree Experts since 1988 and is currently Assistant Division Manager that works directly with 13 local offices in North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.  Jeff is resident of Raleigh, NC. A passionate arborist, he enjoys all types of gardening and spends most of his spare time in his personal garden and landscape.  A Board-Certified Master Arborist since 2007, TRAQ, CTSP and graduate of the ASCA academy, he takes pride in the professional credentials offered in the Tree Care Industry.  Jeff received his Bachelors of Science from Virginia Tech University. He is past board member of Tree Across Raleigh and is the current Board Chair of the North Carolina Urban Forestry Council.  Married with 3 beautiful children and most importantly enjoys spreading the good word about benefits of trees.About Bartlett Tree ExpertsBartlett Tree Experts is a 100+-year-old tree and shrub care company with over 125 offices in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland. Built on family values and the pursuit of scientific tree care, they are proud of the quality of their work, level of service, award-winning safety record, and, most of all, their people. With services including pruning, fertilization, insect and disease management, cabling and bracing, and removal, they strive to keep trees healthy and beautiful. They believe every tree deserves a champion and are always looking for new champions to join their team.

En este episodio del TCIA Podcast, nos acompañan Daniel Aburto de Bartlett Tree Experts y Robin Kennedy de TCIA para hablar sobre la importancia de la educación.Daniel Aburto ha trabajado en la industria verde desde 2005. Ha trabajado en Bartlett como Groundsman/Operador de suelo por 2 años, Climber/Trepador por 2 años, Foreman/Jefe de cuadrilla por 3 años, PHC Specialist por 6 años y durante estos mismos 6 años fue miembro del Comité de seguridad de la oficina de Raleigh NC. Actualmente trabaja como coordinador de seguridad, reclutamiento y capacitacion de Bartlett en Mexico ya 5 años ahora, Conductor LCC (CDL), con licencia de Aplicación de pesticida de Carolina del Norte, con certificacion de Arbolista, Tree Worker, CTSP, QCL, OSHA 10 y 30 hrs.Su inspiración y motivo para salir adelante y buscar oportunidades y aprovecharlas es su familia: su madre, su esposa y sus hijas.On this episode of the TCIA Podcast, we are joined by Daniel Aburto of Bartlett Tree Experts, and Robin Kennedy of TCIA, to discuss the importance of education. TCIA is making this episode exclusively in Spanish to celebrate Spanish heritage month.Daniel Aburto has worked in the tree care industry since 2005. He has worked with Bartlett as a Groundsman for 2 years, Climber for 2 years, Crew Leader for 3 years, and PHC Specialist for 6 years. During those same years, he was a member of the Security Committee in the Raleigh, NC office. He has been working as Safety, Recruiting and Training Coordinator for Bartlett in Mexico for the last 5 years. He is a certified CDL Driver, licensed in North Carolina for Pesticide Application, Certified Arborist, Tree Worker, CTSP, QCL, OSHA 10 and 30 hrs. His inspiration and reason for striving and seeking opportunities and taking advantage of them are his family: his mother, his wife and his daughters.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Rollin Heassler and ShayLynn Ager to discuss what you should look for when applying for a tree care industry job.Rollin Heassler has been the Human Resources Director at Rainbow Companies since August 2021. He brings more than 20 years of human resources experience to the position, with the bulk of his career in the US Army. While new to the tree care industry, Rollin has long appreciated the preservation of our natural resources and beauty and enjoys working daily with green industry heroes. Above all, Rollin enjoys spending time with his family – including his wife Aicha and six children – and taking advantage of the seasons and activities available in the Minnesota metro and surrounding areas.Rainbow Tree Company was founded in 1976 with a vision to preserve the historic American elm trees in Minnesota. They have evolved into a multi-faceted company dedicated to serving clients around the world, transforming the way ecosystems are maintained. They lead with innovation and achieve predictable results through science-based practices, research, and training. They are a fast growing, team that provides innovative solutions in the green industry through Tree Care, Lawn Care, Pest Control, Vegetation Management, Research and Development, and so much more.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Kieran Hunt, Stephen Hilbert, and Geoff Kempter of Asplundh, to discuss utility arboriculture.Asplundh is an international, family-owned company that has specialized in safe, efficient and cost-effective vegetation management since 1928. As a full-service utility contractor, Asplundh performs scheduled and emergency tree pruning and removals, right-of-way clearing and maintenance, and integrated vegetation management with herbicides. Company employees are encouraged to take advantage of ongoing training, which includes a rigorous best-in-industry curriculum on safety, arboriculture and herbicide application. In addition to vegetation management, Asplundh has a division of infrastructure service companies, Asplundh Infrastructure Group, which provides design, construction, maintenance and other engineering services to utilities, municipalities, government agencies, departments of transportation, telecommunication companies and developers. Asplundh employs more than 34,000 service professionals throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Ben Reince of Wachtel Tree Science to discuss how to get started in Plant Health Care.Ben Reince has spent his career in Wisconsin.  Growing up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, going to school and earning a degree in Urban Forestry at UW-Stevens Point, then moving to Southeastern Wisconsin to start his career at Wachtel Tree Science.  Ben has spent 19 years with Wachtel Tree Science, starting in production, becoming a Certified Arborist and a Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP), and is now one of the Owners of Wachtel Tree Science, allowing Ben to see all facets of a commercial tree care company, especially with Wachtel Tree Science a company that does it all in the world of tree care.Wachtel Tree Science has been keeping trees healthy and beautiful with the highest quality care since 1935 throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Their commitment has always been to provide outstanding service to their clients and focus 100% on the safety of their employees.  They utilize the most advanced technology and best practices which provide trees and shrubs with the highest level of care.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Nathan Morrison of ArborScapes to discuss owning and running a tree care business and what it takes to get it started.Arborscapes is the trusted name in professional landscape design and tree services in the Charlotte-metro and surrounding areas. Our ISA certified arborists, licensed horticulturists and landscape designer let our customers bring outdoor living dreams to life with confidence.  Arborscapes is committed to customer satisfaction and brings over 20 years of knowledge and expertise to enhance the safety, functionality and enjoyment of outdoor spaces to every project - big or small.  Charlotte-area homeowners, landscape designers and builders know that they can depend on Arborscapes to professionally execute every outdoor enhancement the right way, on schedule and within budget. Our professionalism extends beyond our expertise as horticulturalists, arborists and landscape designers to the integrity of our crews. 

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Doug Cowles, President/CEO of HMI, to discuss storm work and what it takes to do it.Doug has been HMI's President/CEO since 2004 and has been responsible for establishing the company's information systems, business development, and fulfillment strategies. In his role, he has also been directly involved in the assignment, review, and estimating of thousands of claims involving damaged plant material. Before joining HMI, he held executive-level positions in various industry sectors, including financial services, manufacturing, and emerging technology. His previous roles developed the strategic planning, critical thinking, and leadership skills that have enabled his success at HMI. He graduated from Purdue University where he received a B.S. in Agricultural Economics.Learn more about TCI EXPO by visiting us at EXPO.TCIA.ORG

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined byPeter Gerstenberger, Senior Vice President of Industry Support at TCIA, to discuss how he came to join TCIA, his work on TCI EXPO, and much more.Learn more about TCI EXPO by visiting us at EXPO.TCIA.ORG

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Jeff Blackman, Program Manager of Eyedent Insurance Services LLC., to discuss the benefits insurance brings to a tree care company.ArborMAX is the only insurance company endorsed by TCIA. The advice in this podcast is applicable to all tree care companies looking at any insurance provider.To learn more about ArborMAX visit them here.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by August Hoppe, President of Hoppe Tree Service, to discuss the benefits to workforce development and retention that an apprenticeship program can bring.August is a 3rd generation arborist and President of Hoppe Tree Service.  A 21 year TCIA member company working out of the Milwaukee area.  He is a past President of the Wisconsin Arborist Association, currently Senior Director of the TCIA, and the Co-Chair of the WI Arborist Apprenticeship Advisory Committee.  He lives and breathes Apprenticeship.  When he is not working he loves to bike, kayak, or do just about anything outdoors. 

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by fellow podcasters Joe Aiken and Korey Lofy to discuss finding your niche in the industry.Joe and Korey are hosts of the Discovering Forestry Podcast.  Joe & Korey combine over 60 years of industry knowledge and experience and discuss some of the trends, concerns, and opportunities in the fields of forestry and arboriculture weekly on their show.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Jason Showers, Director of Tree Care Products at Morbark, and discuss corporate membership with TCIA and how they fit in the tree care ecosystem.Jason describes himself as a "fixer" - someone who enjoys taking on projects requiring intense focus, attention to detail and quickly learning the subject to become the subject matter expert. His process involves looking at everything from a jobs perspective, systematically breaking down the process, making a plan, and implementing the solution - all with the firm belief there are multiple solutions to every problem. The core of Jason's experience is in product management/development, design/process improvement, and sales management. Currently, Jason is the Corporate Member representative on the TCIA Board of Directors.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Jeff Inman and discuss what kind of person should get into tree care.Jeff Inman is a thinker, an arborist, and a climber to his core. More importantly, though, he is husband to Kelsey and father to Cedar and Lucille. He works for Truetimber Arborists based out of Richmond, VA as the Risk Manager and Truetimber Academy Director. Jeff's passion for tree climbing has allowed for a wild ride over the last decade. He has been making sawdust professionally since 2011 but discovered tree climbing competitions in 2013 which triggered a real passion to combine technical climbing with his quiet, yet competitive nature. He holds various certifications through the ISA and TCIA, most notably Climber Specialist, Certified Arborist, TRAQ, and CTSP. His passion in this industry has always been centered around climbing, learning, teaching, and growth.  Our sponsor for this episode is PlanIt Geo.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Aiden O'Brien, Director of the Tree Care Industry Association Foundation, and dive deeper into the Foundation's mission as well as how he hopes to support the industry going forward.Aiden is the Director of the TCIA Foundation. Previously, he was TCIA's Advocacy and Standards Manager, managing TCIA's advocacy program and the A300 Standards committee. Aiden is excited to bring his experience in advocacy to a new challenge with the TCIA Foundation. He is eager to help grow the Foundation by increasing safety in the tree care industry through free workshops and other related programs.Our sponsor for this episode is PlanIt Geo.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Corey Parsons, President of Rogue Tree Solutions and John Lewis, Manager of Member Engagement for the Midwest Region, and discuss why company culture is a company wide phenomena.Arboriculture has been a part of Corey's life since he was a little boy. His entire family has been rooted into the industry for many years. Corey followed his father's, uncles' and brothers' footsteps working for the largest utility line clearance company in the world and he realized that his future without a doubt would be in the Arboriculture industry. Corey is a Certified Arborist, receiving the proper licensing through the State of Ohio for Commercial herbicide application. He became very strong in proper safety practices to comply with OSHA rules and regulations, operations, bidding, recruiting/hiring and most importantly – learning how to become a strong leader. Being a Certified Arborist and a board member of the Ohio Chapter ISA gives him the knowledge and expertise to educate customers, municipalities, and fellow town members.Our sponsor for this episode is PlanIt Geo.

Episode SummaryIn this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Joe Cordova and Matt Gleason of ArborForce and discuss why education and safety go hand in hand.Joe Cordova is the owner of ArborForce. He has been working in commercial forestry for 20 years.  In April of 2008, he went out on his own with the launch of ArborForce.  ArborForce will celebrate its 14th anniversary on April 16, 2022.  From a single-person company back then they have grown to a “family” team 29 people strong.  Joe is an ISA certified arborist and licensed as a commercial applicator through the Department of Agriculture, as well as holding many other licenses and certifications.Matt Gleason, Is a project manager and safety coordinator at ArborForce. He has been working in commercial forestry for 4.5 years and has been in the industry for 6 years. Matt is an ISA Certified Arborist and holds a Class A CDL and other certs through the TCIA. Matt is married to his wife Samantha and they have a newborn baby girl! You can follow him on Instagram here.You can check out the ArborForce Instagram page here.Our sponsor for this episode is PlanIt Geo.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Carolina Paredes of Beast Coast Tree Climbers and discuss why self-care is an absolute must in tree care.Carolina Paredes is originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador. She holds certifications in Life, Nutrition, Health, and Fitness Coaching and owns Healthy Strong and Happy AF. She also owns Beast Coast Tree Climbers with her husband Almon Cox, and is working steadily towards her Arborist certification. Part of her life mission is to help people care about the way they feel and help people take better care of themselves so that they can be healthier, stronger, and happier. She is a happiness Specialist and loves to help people realize their potential for joy and love. She loves her life, her family, her work, her doggie, and loves to jump out of planes. She is a licensed skydiver and member of the United States Parachute Association.To learn more and to find all of the handouts, please visit our website.Our sponsor for this episode is PlanIt Geo.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Josh Morin of We Love Trees, and discuss the value of the human relationship with trees, as well as his role on the TCIA Board of Directors.Josh is married to Amy Morin and they have two young children Lyla 12 and Lucien 7 and they live in Niwot, Colorado. In 2020 he started his own tree care company, We Love Trees. We Love Trees is a small tree care company based in Niwot CO working to expand human relationships with trees while supporting healthy ecosystems. He also Chairs the Colorado Tree Care Sector Partnership and has been working to build up Registered Apprenticeship for Arborists in Colorado over the last 5 years. He is an instructor of Tree ID, Pruning, Tree Biology and the Transition to Journeyworker classes for the program and works to recruit other instructors.Josh also helped to create the Boulder Tree Tender program that trains community members on proper tree planting and care to help support the Urban Forest in Boulder as part of the Boulder Tree Trust. Currently, Josh is interested in growing, changing, and adapting how we care for trees as Arborists, to be in alignment with and support healthy ecosystems in Colorado and around the country.Our sponsor for this episode is PlanIt Geo.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with John Haehnel of Tree Tech Inc, and discuss the value of the CTSP Credential for both him and the company he works for.John began working as a teenager with his uncle and father while learning tree work/equipment operation. He then joined the United States Marine Corps in 1991 and served four proud years in the Infantry until 1995. After leaving the Marine Corps, John found himself wanting to return to tree work and operating machinery. His path brought him to Tree Tech, where he has spent many years gaining experience working in the field in just about all areas of the industry. He began on the ground and worked diligently to improve his skills to progress through the ranks. His skills include groundman, climber, bucket operator, equipment operation, utility line clearance, and crane operator.  Approximately four years ago, John accepted the role of Director of Safety and Training at Tree Tech. With that role, he has brought forth many years of knowledge and experience from his time on-the-job, as well as from his CTSP continuing education.Our sponsor for this episode is PlanIt Geo.

In this episode, we celebrate Women in Tree Care Month with Amy Burkett and talk about running a business, work-life balance, and her commitment to furthering safety in the industry.Amy is President and CEO of Burkett Arbor Care, a full-service tree care company out of Boerne, Texas. She obtained a B.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from Texas Tech University. She currently serves as At-Large Director on the Tree Care Industry Association Board of Directors, Treasurer of San Antonio Arborist Association, and Publicity and Outreach Committee Chair for ISA Texas Chapter. But most importantly, Amy is a proud wife and mother of two children.We are now accepting nominations for the TCIA Board of Directors! To learn more about the process, and to apply to the Board, please visit elections.tcia.org!Our sponsor for this episode is COPMA.

In this episode, we celebrate Women in Tree Care Month with Megan Bujnowski, and talk about being a woman in a male-dominated industry and how she has navigated it.Megan Bujnowski was, until recently, a safety supervisor in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a large tree care company. She is currently working for various training companies and pursuing starting her own business in the industry with a focus on women-led training as well as women-specific courses.Our sponsor for this episode is COPMA.

In this episode, we celebrate Women in Tree Care Month with Bear LeVangie, Rebecca Seibel, and Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll, and talk about the Women's Tree Climbing Workshop.Bear LeVangie is an ISA TRAQ Certified Arborist, CT licensed arborist, and MA Qualified Tree Warden. She is the co-founder of the Women's Tree Climbing Workshop and serves as a lead instructor and as the Executive Director. Bear's career in arboriculture includes utility, research, invasive species inspection, education, production climber, IPM, and training. Bear also served as New England Chapter Past-President holds pesticide licenses in CT, MA, and NY, and is a retired NETCC Champion and ITCC climber.Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll is a passionate educator about trees, tree care, and tree climbing among many other extensive topics. She holds many professional certifications, including an ISA Certified Arborist, an ISA Tree Climbing Specialist, and a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Outside of being a Co-Founder of the WTCW (Women's Tree Climbing Workshop) a workshop for women taught by women to climb trees with an emphasis on arboriculture; she is the Educational Director and a Business Development Advocate for Shelter Tree/RBI, a premier arborist equipment supplier. She is the Past-President of the Massachusetts Tree Wardens & Foresters Association and of the New England Chapter of ISA   Rebecca Seibel is a passionate nature lover who draws on over 20 years of experience in the trees. Rebecca is a natural teacher.  Her easy-to-approach personality makes her an effective leader, one who understands how to empower others in order to harness their best. Rebecca is a lead instructor for the Women's Tree Climbing Workshop, a lead instructor for North American Training Solutions, she also owns TreeSpirit Consulting, LLC, a contract climbing, in-person, and online safety training business. Her qualifications include: ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, TRAQ holder, TCIA Certified TreeCare Safety Professional, Consulting Utility Forester Professional Qualified, past MN Tree Climbing Champion, and past ITCC Competitor.To learn more about the Women's Tree Climbing Workshop, please visit their website.Our sponsor for this episode is COPMA.

In this episode, we celebrate Women in Tree Care Month with April Petree, owner of Petree Arbor Lawn and Landscape Inc., and talk what to do when disaster strikes your business.April Petree, is the owner of Petree Arbor Lawn & Landscape, INC.  She has been in the tree care industry since 2000. She has been presented with the Patriotic Award from ESGR along with other awards the company and employees have won through the ISA and TCIA. Currently, she is in the process of obtaining Certification to classify as a Women-Owned business.Our sponsor for this episode is COPMA.

In this episode, we sit down with Stephenie Drago, Director of Marketing and Communications at TCIA, and talk about the marketing strategies that she believes will help make a brand successful.Stephenie is a seasoned communications and business development professional who has partnered with a variety of companies to grow their professional brands. Her focus is building human-to-human relations with one common goal: to provide information, products, and educational services to consumers by enriching their experiences and creating profitability for companies. Steph brings what truly drives conversions both in clients and staffing – how well you connect with the heart-beating people your staff is trying to serve and supporting the staff that you serve.Our sponsor for this episode is COPMA.

In this episode, we sit down with Heather Dirksen, President of Arbor Masters Tree and Landscape and talk about the strategies that she implements that have led to her becoming a successful leader.Heather is the President of Arbor Masters, a 3rd generation family-owned business located mainly throughout the South and Midwest. She served in the military and became an entrepreneur at the age of 28 when she started a flight school to mitigate the cost of training. A few years later she joined her husband at his landscape company and ended up falling in love with the green industry, especially trees. Heather is passionate about developing leaders and developing herself to lead better. Our sponsor for this episode is COPMA.

In this episode, we sit down with Aiden O'Brien, Advocacy and Standards Manager at TCIA, and talk about Leg Day, WMC, and the tree care standards for OSHA.Aiden is TCIA's Advocacy & Standards Manager. Previously, he worked as a Government Affairs Associate, representing corporate and trade association clients before the New Hampshire Legislature. He has experience in both public policy and campaign politics and is working towards expanding the use of the ANSI A300 Standards and enhancing the VFT-PAC: TCIA's political action committee.To sign up for the Rooted in Politics Newsletter, visit our website.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope, Bobcat and COPMA.

In this episode, we sit down with John Lewis and Bob Longo and talk about the importance of networking.John and Bob are both Membership Engagement Coordinators (MECs) at TCIA. John is the MEC for the Midwest Region, while Bob is the MEC for the South Region. As MECs, their job is to provide our members with the resources they need to help their businesses succeed. This means not only are they knowledgeable about all of our TCIA programs and offerings, they are also knowledgeable in how to run a successful business.To learn more about John, Bob, or any of our other MECs, just visit our website.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope, Bobcat and COPMA.

In this episode, we sit down with Tana Byrd, Star Quintero, Nicole "Carni" Benjamin-Harden , Maria Tranguch, and Betsy Park to talk about climbing competitions and the connections that they have made by participating in them.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope, Bobcat and COPMA.

In this episode, we sit down with Peter de Vries and Josua Hundertmark to go over access lines and the safety standards of tree care in other countries.Peter de Vries is the owner of Designs by de Vries and North American Courant Vertical Living Promoter. He has been in the green industry for 25 years and specifically trees for the last seven years. Peter is also a volunteer firefighter for the past 15 years and is am currently the Fire Chief at my local hall. He has also been married for 15 years and has two sons ages 11 and 9. You can check out Peter's Instagram here.Josua "Josh" Hundertmark, has been in the trees since 2006 and self-employed since 2012. His tree care business is a small network-based tree care company. Additionally, Josua is a tree-climbing teacher in Germany as well as a Courant Vertical Living Promoter for Europe since 2021. Josua is Married and has two girls 3 and 6 years old. Currently, he is living in Michelstadt, a small town in the southern portion of Germany. You can check out Josua's Instagram here.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope, Bobcat and COPMA.

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Walsh and discuss his achievement of being CTSP 000001 and his support of the program.Tim is the Corporate Safety Director for the Davey Tree Expert Co.Tim is working on his doctorate, in ergonomics and safety. His research looks at risk in the tree care profession. He has a Master's degree in ergonomics from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. He has Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Urban Forestry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and Tree Worker, New Hampshire certified arborist, and a Maine licensed arborist. Tim has also been a climbing arborist for more than 30 years, has owned his own business, and worked with companies around the world.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope, Bobcat and COPMA.

In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Dalton and talk about the how he has been leading TCIA through the transition to online learning.Bryan is the Director of Training and Credentialing at TCIA  and has had over 15 years of experience in the training and credentialing space over his career.  During his time at TCIA he has implemented our online learning services and is working hard on bringing our education and other content into the 21st century.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope, Bobcat and COPMA.

In this episode, we sit down with Tana Byrd and talk about the way she has gone out and created her own opportunities in the world of arboriculture.Tana is a professional arborist and the owner of T-N-T Tree and Landscape. She has 7 years of experience in taking care of different types of trees throughout Texas. Tana has gone on to say that "tree climbing is my life."If you are interested in learning more about the project she worked on, visit the Comoe Monkey Project Facebook page.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope and Bobcat.

In this episode, we sit down with John Lewis and Bob Longo and talk about the differences between working on your business and working in your business.John and Bob are both Membership Engagement Coordinators (MECs) at TCIA. John is the MEC for the Midwest Region, while Bob is the MEC for the South Region. As MECs, their job is to provide our members with the resources they need to help their businesses succeed. This means not only are they knowledgeable about all of our TCIA programs and offerings, they are also knowledgeable in how to run a successful business.To learn more about John, Bob, or any of our other MECs, just visit our website.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope and COPMA.

 On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Tchukki Andersen, Staff Arborist at TCIA, to discuss working with Grapple Saws as well as the Grapple Saw Pannel that is going on at TCI EXPO 2021! Tchukki is the Staff Arborist at TCIA . She has worked for TCIA for 14 years and during that time she has been an expert on all things arboriculture. She has helped plan many of our events as well helped create many of the training and educational materials we use. Tchukki is Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) as well as a Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP).Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope and COPMA.

On this episode, we sit down with John Lewis and Bob Longo and talk about TCIA membership and the role they play in giving you the best experience they can.John and Bob are both Membership Engagement Coordinators (MECs) at TCIA. John is the MEC for the Midwest Region, while Bob is the MEC for the South Region. As MECs, their job is to provide our members with the resources they need to help their businesses succeed. This means not only are they knowledgeable about all of our TCIA programs and offerings, they are also knowledgeable in how to run a successful business.To learn more about John, Bob, or any of our other MECs, just visit our website.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope and COPMA. 

On this episode, we sit down with Casey Jones and Kirsten Locke, and talk about how their friendship started and what role they both play at this year's Women in Tree Care Pre-Conference Workshop.Casey has a background in fine arts and found digital art to be the natural next step. Her tree climbing themed work is inspired by the passion and strength she sees within the arborist community. A natural-born artist, Casey utilizes her creativity to stay grounded. She gains much of her inspiration from her certified arborist husband, her daughter, and her pets. Kirsten is a certified arborist, professional tree climber, and health coach. She co-owns a tree care business called Koala Tree that specializes in technical tree removals and trimming. Kirsten is passionate about empowering other women in tree care and creating connections, support, and positivity within the Arboriculture community. She also created a Mobility for Tree Workers Program that focuses on mobility, strength, and recovery.  To learn more about Casey's work, visit her Instagram.To learn more about Kirsten's work, visit her Instagram.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope and COPMA.

In this episode, we sit down with Aiden O'Brien, Advocacy and Standards Manager at TCIA, and talk about  OSHA,  California, CDL, and so much more.Aiden is TCIA's Advocacy & Standards Manager. Previously, he worked as a Government Affairs Associate, representing corporate and trade association clients before the New Hampshire Legislature. He has experience in both public policy and campaign politics and is working towards expanding the use of the ANSI A300 Standards and enhancing the VFT-PAC: TCIA's political action committee.To sign up for the Rooted in Politics Newsletter, visit our website.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope and COPMA.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by David White, President and CEO of TCIA, to discuss his first experiences at TCI EXPO!David is currently the President and CEO of TCIA. Previously, he was the executive director of the Northeast Public Power Association, a nonprofit trade association that represents consumer-owned utilities in New England. Additionally, he served as the director of external affairs and strategy for the Massachusetts Dental Society. Dave has a bachelor's degree in political science from Northeastern University and an MBA and Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University.For more information about TCI EXPO visit us at expo.tcia.org.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope and COPMA.

 On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Amy Tetreault, Senior VP at TCIA, to discuss her experiences working the Exhibitor side of the show at TCI EXPO! Many of our attendees don't see the work that goes in with the exhibitors, logistics, and planning, on the other side of the show. Amy is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Engagement at TCIA . She has worked for TCIA in the marketing department and sponsorship before she transitioned into her current role in Corporate Engagement. Additionally, Amy has been involved in helping create many of our initiatives TCIA is running at TCI EXPO 2021 including Student Career Days, and the Women in Tree Care Pre-conference workshop and forum.For more information about TCI EXPO visit us at expo.tcia.org.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope and COPMA.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Don Staruk, Editor of TCI Magazine to discuss how working TCI EXPO can lead to various connections and stories that become part of TCI Magazine!Don is the Staff Editor and Director of the TCI Magazine. He has been growing TCI Magzine by writing features, managing articles, recruiting writers, and so much more. Don has a passion for writing and an eye for detail that he uses every month as he and his team put together the magazine. In addition to his responsibilities with TCI Magazine, Don is also responsible for managing The Reporter, a bi-monthly TCIA members-only newsletter.Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope and COPMA.

 On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Tchukki Andersen, Staff Arborist at TCIA, to discuss her experiences working TCI EXPO as well as discussing some exciting upcoming things for TCI EXPO 2021!  Tchukki is the Staff Arborist at TCIA . She has worked for TCIA for 14 years and during that time she has been an expert on all things arboriculture. She has helped plan many of our events as well helped create many of the training and educational materials we use. Tchukki is Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) as well as a Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP). Our sponsors for this episode are Samson Rope and COPMA.