Summer 2017 THE ASPLUNDH TREE...The Asplundh TREE is a family magazine, published three times a year for all employees and friends of the Asplundh companies. Asplundh welcomes requests

Summer 2017

THE ASPLUNDH TREE

THEASPLUNDH

TREESummer 2017

ON THE COVER

A Rotor Blade, LLC aerial topping saw mitigates the risk of a dead tree next to a Penelec transmission line in Pennsylvania. See related story on page 4. (Photo by Dave Ellifritz)

The Asplundh TREE is a family magazine, published three times a year for all employees and friends of the Asplundh companies.

Asplundh welcomes requests to reprint or otherwise duplicate this magazine, in whole or in part. Please contact the Managing Editor of Corporate Communications at the address below for permission, or call 1-800-248-TREE (in the U.S. or Canada).

© 2017 Asplundh Tree Expert Co.

Asplundh Tree Expert Co. 708 Blair Mill Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 www.asplundh.com

Printed on recycled paper

MANAGING EDITOR CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONSPatti ChipmanWRITER/EDITORKristin WildASSISTANT EDITOR/GRAPHICS SPECIALISTRonnie GaukerINTERNAlexandra Lee

ARBORCHEM EXPANDS RESOURCES FOR BETTER SERVICE

Now in its 31st year of business, the Arborchem Products

Division started out as a relatively small distributor of herbicide products and equipment. It has grown into a major seller and producer of custom-blended herbicide products and returnable/reusable containers, as well as a provider of expert technical service and training to Asplundh operations throughout the U.S. and various external clients.

The team shown at left, led by Vice President Joe Lentz, is working hard to keep up with demand for Arborchem products and services. Recently, two new employees joined the division to help expand its capacity to serve customers.

Koby Cutchall, former general foreperson in the Don Redden Region in Pennsylvania,

came aboard in January as a shop supervisor in the Mechanicsburg facility. With seven years of Asplundh field experience and an associate’s degree in forest technology from Pennsylvania State University, Koby is working closely with Shop Supervisor Jim Wilfong to oversee the custom blending processes, parts and service questions, and shipping.

In February, Bryan Rose was hired as a vegetation management specialist to help provide the training needed to maintain pesticide applicator credentials for Asplundh employees and those of external clients. With a bachelor’s degree in forest science from Pennsylvania State University and three years of field experience, Bryan is also a resource for technical questions. Together with their highly experienced team members, Bryan and Koby are helping to maintain Arborchem’s reputation for quality service.

p The Arborchem team recently gathered for a photo in front of a custom blending system at the division’s facility in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. In the front row are: (L to R) Jack Lauver, Jim Wilfong, Koby Cutchall and Bryan Rose. In the back row (L to R) are: Todd Hagenbuch, Ron Lauver, Lisa Schoppe, Bob Marley, Jr., Jill Huffman and Joe Lentz.

Wall Calendar Photo Entries Due August 18, 2017

Shoot Out Photo Contest Entries Due October 20, 2017You may enter up to 10 photos total combined in the Nature and/or Work Related

categories. High-resolution digital images (either e-mailed or on disc) are acceptable, as well as color or black and white prints. No negatives, please. If your photo is selected for the 2018 wall calendar, you will be sent three complimentary copies. Shoot Out winners will receive a VISA gift card, ranging from $75 for Honorable Mention to $200 for first place.

Please be sure to include your name, address, phone number and the categories you wish to enter, along with a brief description of each picture. If you send in prints or a disc, please package them carefully. Entries will not be returned unless you specifically request it. Please e-mail your top-notch entries to: [email protected].

or snail mail them to: Asplundh Corporate Communications 708 Blair Mill Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

CONTENTS

Safety Success Is No Accident ...................1Ice, Snow And Wind, Oh My! ...................3Managing High-Risk Trees With Aerial Topping Saw ................................................4Management Update ....................................5Retirees Honored .........................................7Special Retirement Honors ........................8Orchids ................................................9Service Anniversaries ................................13Crews & News ............................................17In Memoriam ...............................................20

t In late March, General Foreperson John Keliihananui of the Ron Hallock Region in Florida sent in this photo of his crews wearing the ball caps they received for working throughout 2016 and the first quarter of 2017 without injuries, outages or property damage. They were also treated to lunch, thanks to Manager Ron Hallock who wanted to acknowledge their good safety behaviors while working for Florida Power & Light in the Treasure Coast area. Pictured (L to R) are: Lazaro Peraza, Steve Windham, Juan Cruz, Moises Cruz, Brad Ledbetter, Nick Coleianne, Marcus Rutherford, Efrain Cruz, Paul Yates, Charles Ross, Shane Lamb, Steven Leonard, Samuel Curbelo, Joann Kleis, Reno Scroggin and Cory Koch.

The Asplundh TREESummer 2017 1

SAFETY SUCCESS I S N O AC C I D E N T

by Bruce Mellott Vice President of Corporate Safety

O ne of the questions I get asked frequently is what is the best approach to employee incentive programs. Safety incentive programs have long been used by

organizations worldwide to promote safe working conditions and encourage safe practices in the workplace. But a recent memorandum by David Michaels, former assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has created some confusion.

In short, incentive programs which prohibit or discourage an employee from reporting an injury or illness should never be used. Reporting a work-related injury or illness is an employee right, and retaliating against a worker for reporting an injury or illness is an illegal discrimination practice. That said, safety incentive programs do work and are still an effective tool in the workplace when executed properly, with the right goals and outcomes. Teams and organizations that focus on and celebrate success on a regular basis simply create more success along the way.

Getting employees involved in the process of creating a safe work environment—one which is fully supported by management—helps in developing a program that truly encourages and promotes workplace safety while not violating OSHA requirements. Below are a few guidelines for how to implement an effective safety incentive program in your region:

1. Incentive programs should be behavior-based rather than being injury-rate-based. Incentives should only be offered to workers practicing safe operating procedures and practices, and not simply based on a number of incidents.

2. Reporting and discussing near misses and hazardous behavior should be a primary focus of your program as it prevents future occurrences of incidents.

3. Praise and recognize employees through top management in a timely manner and in front of others to acknowledge their safe behavior and encourage others to follow suit.

4. Avoid monetary rewards for safety programs and use other awarding methods such as gift cards or certificates, t-shirts, safety coins and recognition boards.

5. Reward employees for a wide variety of safety activities such as providing safety suggestions, guiding a coworker with a safe operating procedure, identifying hazards or participating on a safety committee.

6. Involve employees in the local safety program by encouraging them to take part in periodic activities such as presenting a toolbox talk, teaching a training class and participating in or performing safety audits.

7. Include workers in safety committees and meetings, and encourage them to discuss ways to prevent accidents and perform root cause analysis if there is a near miss.

There is a difference between recognition versus reward, and gifts/prizes are never substitutes for developing a genuine and meaningful incentive program with employee health and safety at its core. If your region does not currently have a safety incentive program, consider implementing one as a way to recognize success. If it already has one, make sure it is aligned with the guidelines listed in this message. Stay safe.

Bruce Mellott [email protected]

RECOGNIZING SAFETY SUCCESSES

The Asplundh TREESummer 20172

WITH TRAINING AND PRACTICE

RECOGNIZING SAFETY SUCCESSESu Earlier this year, brand new boots were presented to Foreperson Jared Helsel (L) and Trimmer Brian Lahue (R) by General Foreperson Joe Mitchell (center) for winning the annual Mike Wolford

Region drawing for crews who successfully complete a DOT roadside inspection (no violations or warnings issued). Jared and Brian, who work on the properties of various rural electric cooperatives in Ohio, earned their clean roadside inspection on October 17, 2016. In the Wolford Region, whenever a crew goes through a successful DOT roadside inspection, the driver receives a $50 gift card and any

passengers receive a $25 gift card. In addition, their names are entered into the annual drawing at the end of the year. This regional award program has been in place since January 2014.

u Salt River Project (SRP) held their annual Safety Workshop in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday, February 25. The free workshop focuses on underground and overhead electrical hazard awareness for private workers (tree trimmers, painters, contractors, etc.). The Jeff Vining Region is always grateful to be invited to provide demonstrations at this event and

this year, Asplundh was responsible for presenting job hazard assessment and tree rescue. General Forepersons Branden Peters and Randy Perry, assisted by General Foreperson Jess

Martinez and Foreperson Eric Juedes, presented these topics three different times that day for approximately 350 people in attendance. The tree rescue demonstrations were

performed by Forepersons Dominique Garcia and Adam Garrison.

t Another ‘Train the Trainer’ course on tree felling was held near Blue Bell, Pennsylvania in March. Conducted by Senior Corporate Safety Trainer Ray Apking (third from L), the participants were (L to R): Forepersons John Staerker, Dave Eremo, Raymond Agron-Carrero, Charles Hosler and General Foreperson Jeffrey Compton. The trainees are now sharing their tree felling expertise with crews in the Pat Pinelli and Don Redden Regions in southeastern and central Pennsylvania.

t In early March, over 30 lineworkers and staff at the Avista Utilities service yard in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho received chain saw safety training from RSS Tripp Good and Supervisor Jon-Paul Paulsen of the Shawn Shapiro Region. Jon-Paul and Tripp discussed the safety features and operation of the chain saw, as well as the use of chaps. Demonstrations were given of a saw’s reaction to cutting into chaps, and how wood and wires react under tension. Advanced rigging techniques were used to show how the static weight of the log can be used to safely remove the tree from the conductors. This year, in addition to Avista Utilities, the Shapiro Region has presented this training to the lineworkers of various utilities for whom Asplundh works.

u Twenty-two of Asplundh’s finest participated in a two-day ‘Train the Trainer’ program for tree felling held near Elizabethtown, Kentucky in January.

Led by Senior Corporate Safety Trainers Ray Apking, Caesar Bustos and Joe Kern, these new tree felling trainers took their expertise back to six different regions of the company. RSS Bill Johnson of the Bobby King Region provided great support to the corporate trainers and has been involved in numerous

tree felling courses for trainers held at this location since 2008.

t In January, Senior Corporate Safety Trainer Joe Kern (standing by screen) led a group of RSSs and general forepersons from ten different management regions in a 30-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) course. As an authorized OSHA outreach trainer, Joe covered more than 20 subjects ranging from blood-borne pathogens to walking surfaces during the weeklong course held in Birmingham, Alabama. Some utilities are beginning to require this credential for contractor personnel so Asplundh increased the number of courses and trainers available to teach them in 2017. At last count, 48 employees have completed the OSHA 30-hour course, with two more classes scheduled in 2017.

u General Foreperson Cliff Larson accompanied two lift crews to the Zimmerman area to assist Connexus Energy in restoration. With residual snow still on the

ground, Forepersons Sean O’Neil and Chad Pasch, assisted by Trimmers Logan Anderson and Cory Pietrzak, are shown here working through a tangle of broken limbs and toppled trees to clear the conductors and roadways

so power restoration work could be completed safely.

t On March 6, a record-early arrival of the year’s first tornadoes occurred in Minnesota near the town of Zimmerman, causing damage to the Connexus Energy system. That night, as a cruel reminder that it was still March in Minnesota, about six inches of snow fell and temperatures dropped below freezing with 30 mile per hour winds and stronger gusts. Clearer weather soon prevailed as Keith Erickson Region crews responded.

u Vice President of Customer Service Lynn Arsenault of NB Power

wrote in a thank-you letter to Asplundh

Canada Vice President Steve Christiansen, “This storm became the most

damaging winter storm in NB Power’s history. ...

You and your employees have been exceptional in

going above and beyond to help NB Power. I am proud to know citizens like you who

demonstrate leadership, dedication and commitment.”

u The Steve Christiansen Region

of Asplundh Canada had

22 tree crews working to clear storm-damaged

limbs and trees in the aftermath of a January 25 storm that laid over two

inches of ice on NB Power lines

in the province of New Brunswick in eastern Canada.

At the peak of the storm, over 200,000 people were without power. Storm work continued for 12 days and

full restoration was completed by February 7.

ICE, SNOW AND WIND, OH MY!The first few months of 2017 saw

numerous bouts of extreme weather that kept Asplundh

tree and line construction crews busy in many parts of the U.S. and Canada. The Asplundh Storm Center was in operation eight times in the first quarter, lining up crews to mobilize and quickly respond to utility requests for assistance.

One particularly nasty ice storm in the province of New Brunswick, Canada in late January caused extensive outages for NB Power. The Steve Christiansen Region of Asplundh Canada mobilized 22 crews to assist in the restoration work. The majority of NB Power customers were back in service within a few days, but some of the more rural outages took over a week to restore.

In late February, a devastating storm system with at least four tornadoes knocked out power at one point to over 200,000 customers of CPS Energy in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to more than 100 distribution poles and cross arms, the storms destroyed two 345kV transmission towers. Fourteen Asplundh tree crews from the Allen LeBlanc Region immediately began to clear trees and debris so utility crews could handle the repairs. Senior Vice President of CPS Energy Rudy Garza wrote in a thank-you e-mail, “With the assistance of your crews’ expertise and dedication, we were able to restore power to all of our customers within 48 hours.”

In March, winds gusting up to 70 miles per hour for over 12 hours caused the DTE Energy system in southeastern Michigan to experience the worst storm damage in its 100-year history. Approximately 70 Asplundh tree crews were mobilized to supplement 55 local crews from the Ray Schneider Region in responding to the emergency. With damage to 12,000 power lines, over 1,000 distribution poles and hundreds of transformers, approximately 30 Asplundh Construction employees also assisted in restoring power to over 800,000 customers. President Trevor Lauer of DTE Energy wrote, “We couldn’t be more grateful for the aid of your crews.”


p A nor’easter on January 23, packing 60 mile per hour winds and heavy rain, knocked out power to thousands of customers of PSEG Long Island in New York and Atlantic City Electric (ACE) in New Jersey. General Foreperson Daniel Lombardo of the Steve Miller Region sent in this photo of a toppled pine tree burning on a 12kV ACE line in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. He and two of his lift crews set up temporary traffic control to protect the public on this busy roadway while waiting for the utility to de-energize the line. As soon as the ACE trouble crew arrived and pulled the disconnect fuse, his crews removed the tree which had actually kept burning the whole time without the fuse blowing. The storm damage on PSEG Long Island was also significant with 60,000 customers out of service. The Brian Fuge Region received 33 tree crews from outside the region to assist with storm work.

MANAGING HIGH-RISK TREES WITH AERIAL TOPPING SAWIn April 2016, after several years of

partnering with Rotor Blade, LLC for aerial sawing services, Asplundh

became the majority owner of the company, based in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Rotor Blade recently applied for a patent of its aerial topping saw—called a Tree Topper—which is ideal for removing the tops of dead trees along rights-of-way to quickly mitigate the risk of fall-ins.

This innovative tool was developed in late 2015 at the request of Charles Moore, General Manager of System Operations for South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G). He turned to Rotor Blade to see if the company could modify an aerial saw to cut just the tops out of a large number of trees in a timely manner. Rotor Blade quickly designed and fabricated an aerial topping saw prototype. The design was refined after initial testing and pilots soon perfected their Tree Topper sawing techniques on the SCE&G system.

Operational MetricsSince late 2015, Rotor Blade’s Tree

Topper has been in use on at least seven investor-owned and cooperative utility systems’ power lines, primarily on rural distribution lines. It is being used to safely and efficiently lower the height of dead, dying or storm-damaged trees so that any potential fall-ins will clear the line.

Currently, there are two basic application methods. In the first method, the helicopter pilot and ground crew follow a distribution or transmission line out from a substation, identifying and mitigating the high-risk trees as they go. The work is generally done when the leaves are still on the trees so the pilot and ground crew can distinguish the dead from the living trees. In the second method, GPS coordinates for high-risk trees are provided by the utility based on a routine or post-storm aerial patrol of a transmission line. The Tree Topper crew simply flies to each location, tops the trees and moves on.

With both methods, the number of trees per hour is directly influenced

by the distance between locations, but it is often less expensive, quicker and safer than deploying ground crews. A mechanical side-trimming machine may be priced competitively with the Tree Topper, but only if the access, terrain, size of the trees, and other site considerations are not problems for the machine.

Depending on the tree density along the right-of-way, the Tree Topper can mitigate over 100 trees per day and the largest cut to date is 33 inches in diameter at the cut. On a recent project for AEP Ohio, approximately 3,500 trees were topped with an average of 45 trees cut per hour of flight time (not including set up and ferrying time).

The average was about 22 trees cut per hour on a smaller project for Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative in early March of this year. Roughly 450 emerald ash borer-killed trees were topped in approximately 20 hours of flying time along a 12 kV line traversing a state park near Zanesville, Ohio. Pre-planners had marked the trees with ribbon, which helped the Rotor

Blade pilot and ground crew identify the dead trees in the winter. This method proved to be at least 25% less expensive than ground crews at this location.

Mitigating Risk QuicklyWith an increasing number of dead

or dying trees affected by pine beetles, emerald ash borer, droughts and wildfires, the Tree Topper is a highly efficient way of mitigating the risk to electric and gas transmission lines, as well as distribution lines, no matter what the terrain is like. This vegetation management tool also reduces employee exposure to hazardous dead tree removal conditions and difficult off-road terrain.

In addition, aerial topping saw operations leave no footprint in environmentally sensitive areas. However, it may be necessary to use follow-up tree or debris removal crews to meet customer or public service commission requirements.

A video of the Tree Topper in action can be viewed at www.rotor-blade.com. For information, please contact Steve Bostock at [email protected].

t A Rotor Blade helicopter ferrying its Tree Topper saw for a Santee Cooper project in South Carolina.

t The saw consists of a single 47-inch diameter circular blade mounted on an angle, as opposed to a side-trimming aerial saw which has multiple blades mounted vertically. Here, the pilot and support person working on a FirstEnergy project give you an idea of its size.

u The aerial topping saw is suspended approximately 90 feet below the helicopter and operates on its own auxiliary, belt-driven engine.


NEWMANAGERSINTHEHOMEOFFICEANDFIELDMANAGEMENTUPDATE

Paul Arno, former supervisor in New Hampshire, advanced to manager of Asplundh operations there in January. Executive Vice President Matt Asplundh sponsors the Arno Region.

Paul came to work on an Asplundh tree crew in New Hampshire in 1989. Within nine years, he was promoted to general foreperson and in March 2011, he advanced to supervisor under

Vice President Gary Shelto who has recently retired (see page 8). A 1999 graduate of the Asplundh Supervisory Training Program, he also studied electrical technologies at Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, New Hampshire. He is currently responsible for managing Asplundh operations on the properties of Eversource Energy, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, Unitil and Fairpoint Communications.

Sean Murphy, manager of business development for American Lighting and Signalization (ALS), was given additional oversight responsibilities for two ALS regions in November 2016. He reports to Senior Vice President James Hardiman under the sponsorship of Phil Voltz.

In August 2014, Sean came to work for ALS with over ten years of management and business development experience in utility contracting services. In addition to his responsibilities for marketing ALS services to utilities, DOTs and developers, Sean is now the regional manager for traffic signal and lighting operations in Texas and Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Maryland and holds a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.

Adam Martin, former corporate environmental health and safety (EHS) project manager, advanced to corporate safety director for Asplundh in February. He reports to Vice President of Corporate Safety Bruce Mellott.

Adam joined the company in August 2016 with over 25 years of health, safety and emergency services experience, mostly in Alaska for mining

operations. Adam is now responsible for directing a team of EHS specialists who provide assistance with training and investigation to support assigned regional managers and safety superintendents. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Grand Valley State University in Michigan and maintains several certifications including Certified Safety Professional and Global Safety Management.

Dave Krause, former vegetation management specialist for Arborchem Products Division, was promoted to manager of the Asplundh Technical Services Department in the Willow Grove Home Office. He reports directly to Executive Vice President Brent Asplundh.

Dave joined Asplundh full-time in 1979 as a general foreperson after working during summer

breaks from college as a spray technician up through foreperson. He holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from Michigan State University and has over 37 years of experience in demonstrating, marketing and supervising integrated vegetation management operations. As the manager of Technical Services, Dave’s expertise continues to promote all aspects of vegetation management for the company and industry.

Jim McNulty, former gas and underground operations manager for Asplundh Construction (AC) in New York, was promoted in June 2016 to director of gas operations in New York and Maryland. Jim reports to Senior Vice President Frank Giordano under the sponsorship of Greg Holman.

Omadath ‘Adesh’ Ramdhansingh, an estimator for American Lighting and Signalization (ALS) in Texas, was promoted to manager of the subsidiary’s operations there in March. He reports to Regional Manager Sean Murphy under Senior Vice President James Hardiman and Sponsor Phil Voltz.

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Adesh actually first came to work for ALS in Florida in 1997. The following year, he left to work in the fiber optic construction industry and in 2002, he began supervising projects being performed for Texas DOT. Before returning to ALS in August 2016 as an estimator, Adesh helped to manage a company that builds intelligent traffic systems. In addition to estimating, he is now responsible for managing all ALS operations for Texas DOT.

Jacob Taylor, former corporate safety consultant, advanced to corporate environmental health and safety (EHS) project manager for compliance in February. He reports to Vice President of Corporate Safety Bruce Mellott.

Jacob joined our Utility Lines Construction Services operations in Alabama in 2005 as a safety and compliance assistant, as well as

billing data analyst. Five years later, he moved into the vegetation management side of Asplundh as a compliance officer in the Rickey Bailey Region in Alabama. In 2015, Jacob was promoted to EHS specialist in audits for Corporate Safety. He is now responsible for managing the safety audit group for vegetation management operations. Jacob is a Certified Utility Safety Professional, Certified Tree Safety Professional and ISA Certified Arborist.

Jim first came to work on an AC underground service crew on Long Island, New York in 1994. Over the next 22 years, he gained valuable field and management expertise overseeing AC gas operations there. Jim is now responsible for managing gas operations in two AC regions. In addition to corporate recognition for safety, he holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania.


NEWSUPERVISORSINTHEFIELD

Continued on page 21

Nick Valentine, former district project manager, advanced to manager in parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania in December 2016. Executive Vice President Chris Asplundh, Jr. sponsors the Valentine Region.

Nick came to Asplundh in March 2016 with 27 years of prior experience in utility and commercial arboriculture in the Mid-Atlantic

region. His experience at the strategic executive level is quite valuable in managing Asplundh operations on the property of BGE and Potomac Edison in Maryland, as well as various cooperative accounts in Pennsylvania. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Concordia College in Bronxville, New York, Nick is also an ISA Certified Arborist and Maryland Tree Expert.

Ashley Thomson joined the company in February as the region manager for Asplundh operations in the Hawaiian Islands. His region is sponsored by Executive Vice President Matt Asplundh.

A native of Australia, Ashley brings to Asplundh more than 30 years of experience in vegetation management and electrical engineering

from both the contractor and utility perspective. His management responsibilities include marketing and overseeing Asplundh’s services to various investor-owned and cooperative utilities, as well as private resorts and government entities. Ashley holds a management degree from Melbourne Business School and an electrical engineering degree from Ballarat School of Mines in Australia.

Randy McQueeney, former superintendent in Pennsylvania, advanced to supervisor there in December 2016 under Manager Mark Lohse. Executive Vice President Chris Asplundh, Jr. sponsors the Lohse Region.

A 36-year Asplundh veteran, Randy came to work on a tree crew in his home state of Pennsylvania in 1980. In 2003, his experience

as a tree and spray crew foreperson earned him a promotion to regional safety superintendent and three years later, he took on the role of general foreperson. Randy advanced to superintendent in December 2015 and now as a supervisor, he is responsible for overseeing Asplundh crews working for Penelec and various rural electric cooperatives in central and northwestern Pennsylvania.

Marty Clevenger, former general foreperson in northern Illinois, was promoted to supervisor in July 2015 and reports to Manager Ed House. Chief Executive Officer Scott Asplundh sponsors the House Region.

Marty joined Asplundh in 1999 with four years of previous line clearance experience in his home state of Illinois. Eight years later,

he advanced to general foreperson. Although it was not formally announced in July 2015, Marty was promoted at that time to supervisor responsible for overseeing Asplundh crews working in the northeastern and northwestern areas of Commonwealth Edison. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and graduate of the Asplundh General Foreperson Training Program and Management Leadership Academy.

Jason Hasse, former regional safety superintendent (RSS) in Arizona, advanced to supervisor in November 2016 under Manager Jeff Vining. Vice President Jim Hines sponsors the Vining Region.

Jason first came to work for the company in his native state of Iowa in 2002 with six years of line clearance experience. He continued in the

industry, working off and on for Asplundh in Iowa and Arizona until he was promoted to general foreperson in Iowa in 2012. Jason advanced to RSS in 2014 and transferred to Arizona two years later. As a supervisor, he is responsible for overseeing Asplundh crews working for Salt River Project in Phoenix. Jason is an ISA Certified Arborist/Utility Specialist and holds numerous credentials for climbing and safety.

Jon-Paul Paulsen, former general foreperson in Montana, advanced to supervisor in October 2016 under Manager Shawn Shapiro. Vice President Jim Hines sponsors the Shapiro Region in the Pacific Northwest.

Jon-Paul first joined an Asplundh tree crew in 1993 in Montana and by 1998, he qualified to compete in the International Tree Climbing

Championship. In 2009, Jon-Paul was promoted to general foreperson, working in Montana, Idaho and Washington. His supervisory responsibilities now include overseeing Asplundh crews on the properties of various investor-owned and cooperative utilities in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Alaska and western Washington. Jon-Paul is an ISA Certified Arborist and holds extensive credentials for climber training.

Doug Leaf, former general foreperson in northern Illinois, was promoted to supervisor in June 2016 under Manager Ed House. Chief Executive Officer Scott Asplundh sponsors the House Region.

Born and raised in Illinois, Doug joined an Asplundh tree crew in 1999 as a crew leader

with eight years of prior line clearance experience working on the Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) system. By 2007, he had advanced to general foreperson. Doug’s supervisory responsibilities include overseeing Asplundh crews working for ComEd in its northwestern area. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and studied criminal justice at Western Illinois University.


RETIREES HONORED

Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement to all the retirees listed here!

Neil BradshawForeperson, PennsylvaniaFirst employed January 1973 Retired February 2017

Vincent BrandiAsplundh ConstructionField Supervisor, New YorkFirst employed November 2011Retired February 2017

Ernest BrowningUtility Lines Construction ServicesForeperson, West VirginiaFirst employed September 2007Retired January 2017

Thomas ChernickUtility Lines Construction ServicesEMJ Tech, MichiganFirst employed June 2004Retired January 2017

Paul CottrellApprentice, West VirginiaFirst employed April 2014Retired October 2016

Angelo DigangiAmerican Electrical Testing Co.Commissioning Engineer, New YorkFirst employed April 2010 Retired December 2016

William FowlerForeperson, South CarolinaFirst employed April 1989Retired January 2017

Allen FreemanPlanner, North CarolinaFirst employed June 2004Retired December 2016

Glen GarnerPlanner, TexasFirst employed October 1993(plus one year with Blume Tree Services)Retired October 2016

Cecil GeorgePlanner, MississippiFirst employed October 1993(plus 22 years with Farrens Tree Surgeons)Retired January 2017

Allens GilbertAsplundh Brush ControlEquip. Operator, IndianaFirst employed February 2011Retired December 2016

Arthur GrimmCrew Leader, PennsylvaniaFirst employed February 1999Retired January 2017

Gregory HuntJourneyman, OhioFirst employed January 1987Retired October 2016

Jimmy IngramJourneyman, PennsylvaniaFirst employed September 1986Retired October 2016

James JohnsonAmerican Lighting and SignalizationJourneyman, VirginiaFirst employed August 1998Retired February 2017

Daniel JonesTrimmer, WashingtonFirst employed September 1995Retired February 2017

Thomas KneeboneForeperson, MichiganFirst employed March 1984Retired December 2016

Thomas MarxForeperson, PennsylvaniaFirst employed August 1987Retired January 2017

Steve MateckaCrew Leader, PennsylvaniaFirst employed July 2001Retired January 2017

Ken MifflinTrimmer, WisconsinFirst employed October 1999Retired October 2016

Keith MittlesteadtForeperson, WisconsinFirst employed July 1987Retired December 2016

Joel MohagenForeperson, MinnesotaFirst employed August 1994Retired February 2017

Jeffrey NederAsplundh ConstructionPlanner, New YorkFirst employed September 1999Retired November 2016

Panta NestaTrimmer, OregonFirst employed March 2000Retired October 2016

Gary NortonUtility Lines Construction ServicesEquipment Specialist, TennesseeFirst employed October 2003Retired January 2017

Jose OrellanaGroundperson, MarylandFirst employed October 2001Retired February 2017

David OwensForeperson, OhioFirst employed June 2009Retired October 2016

Cathy PiattAsplundh Brush ControlAdmin. Assistant, New YorkFirst employed February 1999Retired January 2017

Ernest PrittForeperson, West VirginiaFirst employed June 2000Retired December 2016

Jessie RoseForeperson, VirginiaFirst employed January 1998Retired December 2016

John RothwellUtility Lines Construction ServicesRelay Equip. Tech, MichiganFirst employed July 2013Retired January 2017

Leo SavageAsplundh ConstructionJourneyman Lineworker, IllinoisFirst employed September 2011Retired February 2017

Robert SchlechtTrimmer, WisconsinFirst employed June 1979Retired November 2016

Michael SielaffUtility Lines Construction ServicesEquipment Specialist, MichiganFirst employed February 2007Retired January 2017

Michael SmithSupervisor, MississippiFirst employed October 1974Retired January 2017

Floyd SpitlerRSS, OklahomaFirst employed July 1980Retired February 2017

Gilbert SwartzTrimmer, MichiganFirst employed March 1994Retired June 2016

Nathaniel WhiteGrid One SolutionsField Service Tech, North CarolinaFirst employed May 2010Retired March 2017

Pete WhiteForeperson, MassachusettsFirst employed January 1993Retired December 2016

Ronald WoodForeperson, UtahFirst employed April 1996Retired January 2017


SPECIALRETIREMENTHONORSTom Mayer, vice president of business development in the Willow Grove Home Office, joined the ranks of the retired in January. With 11 years of prior experience in the marketing of agricultural crop protection products, Tom came aboard in 1986 to establish the Arborchem Products Division. Two years later, he transferred into the Asplundh Railroad Division where he was promoted to general manager in

1989 and was elected vice president in 1996. Tom transitioned out of the Railroad Division in 2012 to focus on business development for the entire company. After 31 years of helping to build the Asplundh reputation for safe, innovative vegetation management, Tom and his wife, Elaine, are enjoying more time to travel and to be with their family. Best wishes!

Gary Shelto, vice president of Asplundh operations in New Hampshire, became a retiree in February. Gary first joined Asplundh in his native state of Connecticut in 1972. He left the company for a couple years, but returned in 1977 and was soon promoted to general foreperson. Four years later, Gary advanced to supervisor and in 1984, he transferred to New Hampshire to help oversee a

newly acquired heavy equipment company. In 1995, Gary was promoted to manager and was elected vice president three years later. He was recognized by the company multiple times for operational excellence, safety and storm response. Retirement for Gary and his wife, Donna, means more time to spend with their grandkids and traveling. Enjoy!

t A festive retirement luncheon was held for Don Welby (L) at the Willow Grove Home Office on March 9. He is pictured here receiving congratulations and a huge cake from Manager of Overheads and Fixed Assets Steve DiBello (R) of the Corporate Accounting Department. Don began his career at Asplundh in 1973, working in cost accounting for the former Asplundh Manufacturing Division in Chalfont, Pennsylvania until it moved to Willow Grove in 1989. He retired on March 17 as a senior staff

accountant in Overheads. Don’s luncheon had a great turnout with much of his family in attendance along with many of his friends and coworkers from the Accounting and other departments.

t Dossie Davis (center) had plenty to celebrate, as he retired August 26, 2016, just one day before his 70 th birthday. He is shown here being congratulated by Executive Vice President Gregg Asplundh (R) and Vice President / Regional Sponsor Barry Suddreth (L) at the

region’s Annual General Foreperson Meeting in December 2016. Dossie began working at Asplundh at age 22 and spent 44 and a half years as a foreperson working on the Duke Energy system in the Carolinas. He was so well loved that the line crews would fight over who got him during storm work and Operations Manager Gary Adams of Duke Energy in High Point made it a point to attend his retirement dinner.

p With 45 years of service under his belt, Dave Ramsden (in the center of the middle row) was surrounded by most of the Fleet Services team in the Willow Grove Home Office as they bid him farewell on February 3. Dave began his Asplundh career in 1972 as a maintenance person in the Jenkintown, Pennsylvania shop, eventually moving over to the Philmont shop, where he joined the Equipment Department. He worked his way up over the years to become an equipment transport supervisor, a position he held for nearly 35 years!

t After 23 years of incident-free service with Asplundh, plus eight prior years with Blume System Tree Experts, Work Planner Ralph Williams (center) retired on May 7, 2016. At a belated celebration in February, he was the

guest of honor at a BBQ lunch in Kansas City, Kansas with Vice President Ed Bradshaw (L), General Foreperson Kyle Baur (R), RSS Paul Snethen, Superintendent Brian Plake, Office Manager Amanda Flynn and Ralph’s wife, Barbara. He is holding a unique plaque, made by Paul, that was signed by many Asplundh and utility friends. Ralph worked his entire career on Kansas City Board of Public Utilities property in Kansas.

MORERETIREESHONORED



OrchidsLetters and telephone calls were received complimenting the following forepersons and their crews working on the property of the utility or organization listed below the employees’ names. This listing covers all Orchids that were received in the Corporate Communications Department between November 1, 2016 and April 10, 2017. For their outstanding job performance or special volunteer efforts, we say ...

Thank you and congratulations!

From an e-mail to Manager Utah Villines, regarding General Foreperson James Booher and his crews working for Entergy Arkansas in the Little Rock area:

“It is a pleasure to deal with such diligent, helpful and positive persons as [Foreperson] Ron Wheetley and his crew. ... I had realized that trees were beginning to encroach on the power lines to our home. ... The trees have been successfully trimmed and the limbs thoroughly chipped up, leaving the area neat and clean. ... I made it a point to call him back to thank him. Thank you very much for a great piece of work.”

George Schroeder, MD

From an e-mail to ULCS Vice President Tim Jahnigen concerning the work of Supervisor Dave Lambert, General Foreperson Nick Cook and crews on Delmarva Power (DPL) property in Delaware:

“... Through extremely adverse conditions (record cold temperatures) and pressure from DPL to restore the substation by Friday evening, your guys worked hard and did it safely to pull everything together to complete all the work required to put this substation back together. ... I’m sure I don’t need to tell you, however, it is employees like this that make [ULCS] so successful project after project, and it is certainly noticed.”

Fred Todd, Construction Management, Delmarva Power

ARIZONAGeneral Foreperson Hector Garcia, Foreperson Delfino Velazquez and Crew,Salt River Project

ARKANSASMatt Blevins, Brice Gore, Ashley King and Joseph Rhodes, Trimmer Anthony Millyard and Groundperson Anthony Gore,Entergy Arkansas

General Foreperson James Booher, Forepersons Daniel Campbell, Justin Kelley, Pascual Ramos and Ron Wheetley, and Groundperson Jose Rodriguez,Entergy Arkansas

General Foreperson Thomas Gauss, Assistant General Foreperson Calvin Williams, Foreperson Sheldon Sirratt and Crew,First Electric Cooperative

Pablo Martinez and Crew,Entergy Arkansas

BRITISH COLUMBIAMike Ferrier and Crew,BC Hydro

CALIFORNIAArborMetrics Solutions Utility Forester Robert Kelly, for his help coordinating

the Grass Valley clean-up day on January 14,Pacific Gas & Electric

COLORADOJarrett August and Trimmer Monte Franklin,Grand Valley Power

James Benton and Crew,Grand Valley Power

General Foreperson Rex Hilton and Crews,Colorado Springs Utilities

General Foreperson Rex Hilton, Forepersons Joshua Gulledge and Michael Powell, Trimmer Garrett Payton and Apprentice Jeremy Karpinski,Colorado Springs Utilities

Work Planner Shad Preston and Trimmer Andrew Ratekin,Intermountain Rural Electric Association

General Foreperson Shaun Rapp, Job Planner Michael Bunker and Crews,Mountain Parks Electric

General Foreperson Zac Sirignano and Crews, United Power

General Foreperson Jake Tuttle, Foreperson Dan Leger and Trimmer Chris Bowen,

Delta-Montrose Electric Association

DELAWAREULCS Substation Foreperson Bob Creeden, Jr. and Crew,Delmarva Power

ULCS Project Manager Matt Jahnigen, General Forepersons Robert Burton and Mike Welch, Forepersons Charles Kennedy, Adam Messick, Mitchell Palmer and Dean Worley, and Crews,Delmarva Power

ULCS Supervisor Dave Lambert, General Foreperson Nick Cook, Substation Forepersons Bob Creeden, Jr. and Allen Haskett, Journeyman Owen Gragg, Equipment Operators Lennard Countee and Gary Nelson, Apprentices Charles Blanchard, Joseph Dengler and Mark Sturgeon, and Groundperson Clayton Newman,Delmarva Power

ULCS Supervisors Dave Lambert and John Seibel, Project Manager Matthew Jahnigen, General Foreperson Mike Welch,

Substation Foreperson Bob Creeden, Jr., and Crews,Delmarva Power

GEORGIAGeneral Foreperson Eric Niles, Foreperson Nathan Purcell and Groundperson Cordario Scott,Georgia Power

ILLINOISCrew Leaders Kurtis Main, John Stewart and Jim Sweeney, and Trimmers Jose Gutierrez, William Morgan, Jr., Eugenio Vasquez and Ben Winston, ComEd

INDIANAGeneral Foreperson Bobby Conder, Forepersons Tony Sandfer, Paul Terry and Ben Williamson, Trimmers Eddie Humphrey and Jesse Manning, and Journeymen Austin Carrier, Brandon Latham and Bill Williamson, Louisville Gas & Electric

IOWASupervisor Scott Richter and General Foreperson Kraig Hansen, for participating in the United Way Day of Caring on September


Orchids – November 1, 2016 through April 10, 2017

From a letter to Manager Jeff Vining about Superintendent Malcolm Calderon, Patroller Phil Snider, and Trimmer Colton Burd, who work on NV Energy property in Nevada:

“Recently, I had to have my tree cut, per NV Energy. I just want to let you know that your crew ... did a great job. They were courteous, very protective of my property, ... and gave great opinions on how the job should be done. ... I just wanted you to know that when they are on the job – dealing with people and knowing how things are done – you have nothing to worry about.”

E. M. Poteza

From an e-mail to Asplundh Brush Control Vice President Bob Ray in New York, regarding Supervisor Mark Turner, General Foreperson Michael Terry, Project Superintendent Ben Newton and crews:

“... I just want to convey my thanks and appreciation for delivering an outstanding job, under somewhat ‘difficult’ conditions. You completed this job under extremely tight time constraints with superior safety, quality and performance. ... Each and every situation was addressed with true professionalism – a testament to your dedication and commitment to the team and overall success of the project.”

Tim Bodkin, Manager, T&D Forestry, National Grid (Niagara Mohawk)

30, 2016 at Camp Appanoose in southern Iowa,Alliant Energy

MARYLANDJosh Richey, Trimmer Shawn Yancey and Journeyman Danny Stocks,Potomac Edison

MICHIGANGeneral Foreperson Jason Hiser, Foreperson Mike Lahar and Crew,Michigan Gas Utilities

Dave Ogle and Crew,City of Novi

MINNESOTAOffice Manager Heather Koonce, for her outstanding customer service skills in addressing the concerns of a homeowner, Xcel Energy

MISSOURIKevin McKellips and Ellis Turnbough, and Trimmer Coty Stites,Crawford Electric Cooperative

General Foreperson Daniel Robinson, Foreperson Datton Wilson and Trimmer Mike Eicholz,Kansas City Power & Light

NEBRASKADavid Aken and Jorge Cardenas, and Trimmers Chris Bogus, Gavin Decker, Gabriel Haecker and Anthony Lowndes, Lincoln Electric System

Jim Bembenek, Chris Kurszewski and Ryan Richter, and Trimmers Dustin Karpinski and Jarod Richter,Alliant Energy

Noah Bogus and Trimmer Wayne Ketchum, Lincoln Electric System

NEVADASuperintendent Malcolm Calderon, Patroller Phil Snider and Trimmer Colton Burd,NV Energy

Cade Warkentin and Crew,NV Energy

NEW HAMPSHIREMike Coulombe and Crew,Unitil

General Foreperson Shayne Dion, for helping a fellow motorist change her windshield wiper blades,Eversource Energy

General Foreperson Jeff Fellows and Groundpersons Kyle Beaudet, Rene Boucher and Thane Burgos,Eversource Energy

General Foreperson Scott Robitaille, Foreperson James Towle, Trimmer Robert Blatchley and Groundperson Josh Rousseau,New Hampshire Electric Co-op.

NEW JERSEYGeneral Foreperson Dan Lombardo and Crews,Atlantic City Electric

Crew Leader Mike Nordling and Trimmer Nick Miciek,Jersey Central Power & Light

Crew Leader Michael Streahle and Trimmers William Colquitt and Christopher Getman,Jersey Central Power & Light

NEW MEXICOAdam Lopez, Trimmer Kelly Hinds and Groundpersons Larry Begay, Jarom Etsitty and Brandon Nelson,Farmington Electric Utility System

General Foreperson Wilson Wood and Crews, Farmington Electric Utility System

NEW YORKJoel Schadt and Trimmers Logan Miller and Shaun Ostrander,New York State Electric & Gas

Asplundh Brush Control Supervisor Mark Turner, General Foreperson Michael Terry, Project Superintendent Ben Newton and Crews, for delivering an outstanding job with superior safety and quality performance under tight deadlines with environmental and wildlife challenges,Niagara Mohawk

NORTH CAROLINARudy Argueta and Groundperson Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Urena,Duke Energy

General Foreperson Herman Blackwell and Crews,Duke Energy

Work Planner Jacob Boone, Forepersons Luke Coe, Wesley Coe and Cody Tyler, Journeyman Bobby Finley, Apprentices Brendin Baity and Brandon Phillips, and Groundperson Matt Crotts,Duke Energy

ULCS District Area Manager Rick Chrissley, Supervisor Kent Stigall and Crews, for their professionalism, excellent attitudes and attention to safety,Duke Energy Progress

Charles Cummings and Journeyman Shannon Brook,High Point Electric Utilities

Work Planner Mark Hunt, for his professionalism working with the public and utility staff,Duke Energy

ULCS Lineworker Ricky McGee and Lineworker Apprentice Adam Alcorn, Duke Energy

General Foreperson Billy McMillian, Forepersons Robert Hartley, Justin Jester and Walter Macha, Trimmers Nicholas Lyles and Tim Summey, and Journeyman Caleb Barker,Duke Energy

General Foreperson Josh Merrill, Work Planner Clint Blackwell, Foreperson Mike Martin and Crew,Duke Energy



From a letter to Vice President Scott Bailey concerning the work of General Foreperson Steve Ebsen, Foreperson Nick Raymond and crew for Public Service Company of Oklahoma:

“On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of the Fort Towson Cemetery Association, may I say thank you so much for the excellent job you performed. The tree had the potential to fall and damage several grave sites, and create some problems for a number of families. Your careful and complete removal has removed that possibility, and we are truly grateful to each person who had a part in it.”

Kathleen Noble, Secretary/Treasurer, Fort Towson Cemetery Association

From an e-mail to the Home Office in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania about an Allen LeBlanc Region crew working on Austin Energy property in Texas:

“... It’s probably an understatement to say I’ve become a bit jaded about government intrusion these days, so you can imagine my anger when I came home and saw pink and green ribbons on a bunch of trees on my property. ... I really gave it to Matt [Glass]. ... He did not get defensive. ... He apologized for any inconveniences it had caused while politely sticking to his guns about what he had to do. ... I also want to commend [Foreperson] Pedro Vital and all the crew that has been in my tiny neighborhood. Really nice workers.”

Bruce Cook

General Foreperson Gene Parker, Forester Jermanine McSwain, Work Planner Hunter Osborn, Forepersons Wesley Coe and William Holland, Trimmer Joel Varner, Journeyman Gary Freitas and Apprentice Morgan Helton,Randolph EMC

Forester Tommy Price, Permissions Person Wayne “Rabbit” Miller and Journeyman Jeff Curtis,Town of Granite Falls

General Forepersons Jody Roten and Tyler Shelton, Forepersons Lucas Ball and Luis Romero, and Apprentice Payton Moore,Duke Energy Progress

General Foreperson Gerald Styles, Work Planner Gary Price, Forepersons Samuel Macias, Curtis Price, Luis Romero and Samuel Romero-Magana, Trimmer Israel Magana, Journeyman Alexander Lockhart and Apprentice Gonzolo Romero,Duke Energy Progress

General Foreperson Bobby Willard, Forester Joel Ignacio and Crews,Duke Energy

OHIOGeneral Foreperson Dennis Elkins, Assistant General Foreperson Josh Malone, Work Planner Ken Hughes, Forepersons Roger Casler

and John Malone, Trimmers Brandon Schwemley and Anthony Williams, Journeyman Jim Cox and Groundpersons Matt Hieber, Sean Trotter and Tommy Wells,Consolidated Electric Co-op.

David Griffith, Trimmer Ryan Cavinee and Journeyman Donald Clapper,AEP Ohio

General Foreperson Earle Hall, Forepersons Travis Boyd, Noah Confere, Joe Essig and Zach Kulik, Journeyman Kenny Vechik and Groundperson Gary Strain, Jr., for their hard work removing three high-risk trees at West Lawn Cemetery in Canton,AEP Ohio

General Forepersons Earle Hall and John Rader, Work Planner Dave Hall and Crews, for their courteous service and proper tree care efforts, helping the City of Canton achieve Tree City USA status,AEP Ohio

Eric Hankla, Branden Sexton and Wayne Sexton, Trimmer Roger McClaskey and Journeyman Scott Worster,AEP Ohio

Cody Massie, Trimmers Dave Gray and Zach Layman, and Journeyman Heath Whitmore,AEP Ohio

General Foreperson Kevin Parks, Foreperson Donald

Spellman and Trimmers Paul Delong and Aaron McGrail,AEP Ohio

OKLAHOMAGeneral Foreperson Steve Ebsen, Foreperson Nick Raymond and Apprentices Ethan Adams and Colton Jarman, for removing a high-risk tree at the Fort Towson Cemetery,Public Service Co. of Oklahoma

General Foreperson Edin Lima, Foreperson Iris Anderson and Crew, for expertly controlling traffic through their work zone, allowing the quick and safe passage of an ambulance through the zone and onward toward a hospital,Public Service Co. of Oklahoma

PENNSYLVANIAGeneral Foreperson Esteban Cervantes, Work Screener Brian Peart and Forepersons Rick Bassler, Doug Mason, Sean Pickar and Rick VonbergenPECO

Jorge Cornejo, Jorge Cruz, Julio Cruz and Jose Hernandez, and Trimmers Oscar Cabrera, Samuel Hernandez, Josue J. Ortiz and Jimmy Peralta-Rivas,PECO

Trimmers Henry Diaz, Adriel Echevarria and Dennis Gonzalez,PECO

David Lee, for his kind, cordial and friendly demeanor, PECO

General Foreperson Ernesto Lopez and Crews,PECO

General Foreperson Mike Terzyk, Foreperson Kyle Wentz and Trimmers Calixtro Carreon and Jessica Lopez,PECO

SOUTH CAROLINAEric Hofmeister and Chris Sutton, Journeyman Chris James, Apprentice Richard Jennings and Groundperson Justin Jefferson,Duke Energy

Trimmer Jerry Hunt, Equipment Operator Jose Guevara and Groundperson Thomas Hare,Berkeley Electric Cooperative

TEXASWork Planner Matt Glass, Foreperson Pedro Vital, and Crew,Austin Energy

Abel Govea and Anthony Taylor, and Trimmers Antonn Banks and Justo Montero-Olguin,Austin Energy

Pedro Tello and Crew,CPS Energy

VIRGINIAGeneral Foreperson Tony Garst, Foreperson Jeff



From an e-mail to Larry Kirk Region Supervisor Buddy Baker about Superintendent Mike Bolen, who works on Appalachian Power Co. property in West Virginia:

“Mike Bolen was patrolling a circuit in Beckley, West Virginia on Saturday, March 25 ... and witnessed an elderly couple trimming a tree adjacent to a three-phase power line. Mike stopped, ... advising them of the dangers involved, and explained the planned maintenance. They later called in ... and explained what happened. ... Mike should be commended for taking the time to stop and speak with the customers, possibly saving their lives.”

Gregory Kindrick, Senior Utility Forester, Appalachian Power Co.

From a letter to General Foreperson Gregg Hudson and crews from the Barry Suddreth Region, who worked on the Hurricane Matthew restoration for Berkeley Electric Cooperative (BEC) in South Carolina:

“... I would like to thank you, ... and the men from Asplundh, who braved the hazardous conditions in our service areas to help restore power to our members affected by Hurricane Matthew. ... [It] made landfall on October 8, 2016. ... Through the long hours and dedication of your employees, we were able to restore power to 56,500 BEC members by Friday morning. This proves your [workers] are the ‘Best of the Best!’”

John J. Villeponteaux, Manager of Distribution Operations, BEC

Voreh and Journeyman Timmy Welden,Appalachian Power Co.

Garland Good and Crew,Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative

Foreperson Steven Grose, for returning a stolen purse to its grateful owner, which he found discarded at a work site,Appalachian Power Co.

General Foreperson Randy Wright, Forepersons Gary “Duke” Breeden, Dwayne Rosser and Kevin Smith, and Groundperson Zack Anderson,Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative

WASHINGTONGeneral Foreperson Eric Force, Mower Equipment Operator John Milbourn, Jr. and Crew,Puget Sound Energy

Chad O’Riley, for his polite, professional and helpful demeanor while working with homeowners,Avista Utilities

Work Planner Aaron Weale and Crew,Puget Sound Energy(two letters were received)

WEST VIRGINIASuperintendent Mike Bolen, for stopping an elderly couple in Beckley who were trimming a tree adjacent to a three-phase power line, possibly saving their lives,Appalachian Power Co.

General Foreperson Matt Claypool, for being aware of his surroundings while investigating a Beckley city’s homeowner’s call about a hanging limb and finding energized secondary conductors on the ground about five feet away from a sidewalk,Appalachian Power Co.

James Jeffrey and Scotty Simpkins, Journeyman Tyler Midkiff and Apprentice Gary Vance,Appalachian Power Co.

STORM WORK

October 2016 — Hurricane Matthew

Groundpersons Clifton Farrar and Bronson Sewell (TN), for being alert in their surroundings during the Hurricane Matthew restoration in Vero Beach and coming to the aid of an elderly man who fell next to a fence and was struggling to get up,Vero Beach Municipal Utilities (FL)

Musgrove Construction General Foreperson Chete Howell and Crews, for their efforts to help restore power in St. John’s County area following a three-day outage caused by Hurricane Matthew,Clay Electric (FL)

ULCS Supervisor Mark Bare, General Forepersons Jason Lamb, Tommy Oliver and Chad Pate, and Crews, for their safe and productive work during the Hurricane

Matthew restoration,Duke Energy (NC)

General Foreperson Gregg Hudson, Work Planner Archie Brown, Forepersons Jeffrey Douglas, Emilio Mendes and Dennis Moss, Trimmer Chris Powell, Journeymen Matt Mosteller, Jacob Tessneer and Jason Whittenburg, Apprentices Travis Brown, Brent Cooke and Jonathan Fish, and Groundpersons Aaron Cotton and Joseph Miller (NC), for the long hours and dedicated service they provided to help get electric back on to 56,500 homes that lost power due to Hurricane Matthew,Berkeley Electric Cooperative (SC)

February 2017

ULCS Manager Mike Johnson and Crews, for quickly and safely restoring power following a sudden late-night windstorm,Pepco (MD)

General Forepersons Ramiro Delgado, Miguel Lopez and Luis Vega, and Crews, for their hard work removing downed trees and debris after four tornadoes destroyed two transmission towers, 45 distribution poles and a host of other infrastructure equipment, resulting in over 200,000 customers being without power,CPS Energy (TX)

Work Planner Ed Stark, Foreperson Dakota

Vantassel and Groundperson Robert Sullivan, for shoveling snow and helping a motorist get her car out of a snowbank, Eversource Energy (NH)

March 2017

Vice President Ray Schneider and Crews, for their outstanding restoration efforts following a 12-hour long windstorm on March 8 which downed 12,000 power lines and 1,000 distribution poles in the greater Detroit area,DTE Energy (MI)

Manager Mark Lohse, Forepersons Dave Johnson, Pete Olsen and Mark Ruhl, Journeymen Justin Green and Ross Peterson, and Apprentice Francis Granat, for their efforts to remove tree limbs and debris so lineworkers could restore power following a March 8 windstorm,Northwestern Rural Electric Co-operative Association (PA)

April 2017

General Forepersons Jonathon Geyer, Eric Patton and Jason Woosley, Forepersons Jamie Culp, Daniel Garvin, Milton Lockwood and Delbert Perini, for their safe, dedicated response following an April 7 windstorm that took out power to 170,000 homes and businesses in Portland,Portland General Electric (OR)

SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES

January – June 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992 and 1997

45YEARS

Chuck CombsCorp. Safety Consultant

Kentucky

Jeffrey CoolForepersonPennsylvania

40YEARS

Bob JerniganRSSOhio

50YEARS

Dale HoveyForeperson

New Hampshire

Gail JacquintoExecutive Assistant

Executive AreaWillow Grove

Randy LotherGeneral Foreperson

Minnesota

Steve MillerVP / Regional Sponsor

Delaware

Jimmy RumkerRSS

Alabama

Randy KriebelCrew LeaderPennsylvania

Perfecto RiosForeperson

Texas

Scott SkalickyForepersonMinnesota

Henry GalvanSupervisor

Texas


35YEARS

Douglas AllisotForeperson

Maine

Jeff ClappertonGeneral Foreperson

Maine

Gary BourkeGeneral Foreperson

Texas

Bob EbbenForepersonWisconsin

Richard CowanGeneral Foreperson

West Virginia

Dave HamiltonReactive Coordinator

Florida

George GrahamPresident

Willow Grove

Brian HindsSupervisor

Massachusetts

Frederick Lemkau, Jr.ForepersonMinnesota

Mike LeverettGeneral Foreperson

Georgia

Lance MathewsGeneral Foreperson

Alabama

James StrausserTrimmer

Pennsylvania

Johnny PattersonGeneral Foreperson

Alabama

Darrel RowleyWork PlannerWest Virginia

Mike SewardRSS

Rhode Island

Shawn TurnanOffice Manager

Musgrove ConstructionFlorida


30YEARSRobert Berken

ForepersonWisconsin

David BohmanGeneral Foreperson

Wisconsin

Beth BurnsIT Project Lead

Customer & Field LiaisonWillow Grove

Rodney CarterForeperson

Virginia

Malcolm CastleberryGeneral Foreperson

Alabama

Steve ChristiansenVice President

Asplundh Canada ULCNova Scotia

Thomas ClaryForeperson

North Carolina

Mark DeckerForeperson

Missouri

Rodrigue DelhommeTrimmerFlorida

Thomas DykeGeneral Foreperson

Ohio

Sammy FullerForeperson

Alabama

Allen GilbertTrimmer

Pennsylvania

Ramon GuadianForeperson

Texas

Scott HeinerTrimmer

Washington

Eugene HerrickGroundperson

Maine

Michael HooverWork Planner

Ohio

Sue LawferReceptionistSwitchboard

Willow Grove

Randy McCullochManager

Asplundh Brush ControlFlorida

Dennis MaukSupervisorKentucky

Charles Mays, Jr.Foreperson

Ohio

25YEARSChris Asplundh, Jr.

Executive Vice PresidentWillow Grove

Billy BlantonForepersonKentucky

Daniel BroganGeneral Foreperson

Asplundh ConstructionNew York

Charlie BryantForeperson

North Carolina

Juan CantuGeneral Foreperson

Texas

Lindsey ColegroveForepersonPennsylvania

Brian DuranceauForepersonWisconsin

Frank Ehrenfeld, Jr.General Foreperson


Dean EnglehartForepersonPennsylvania

Kathy FoxBilling Specialist


Timothy FrankSupervisor

Illinois

Gonzalo GonzalezGeneral Foreperson

Pennsylvania

Tim GuetzkeGeneral Foreperson

Wisconsin

Shawn KeaneGeneral Foreperson


Robert KingForester

South Carolina

Wayne LafleshForeperson

Asplundh Brush ControlNew York

Miguel LopezGeneral Foreperson

Texas

Scott MatulaForepersonWisconsin

Robert McLendonForepersonMississippi

William MorrisGeneral Foreperson

Ohio

Donald SansomForeperson

Alabama

Ann SmithOffice Manager

Asplundh Brush ControlIndiana

Ryan SwierManager

New Jersey

Ricky VonbergenForepersonPennsylvania

William Webster, IVRSS

Pennsylvania

Jeffrey WemettForeperson

Asplundh Brush ControlNew York

Raymond WhitneyWork Planner

New Hampshire

Phil WhittingtonForeperson

Georgia

Michael WilliamsGeneral Foreperson

Missouri

Jay NelsonForepersonWisconsin

Michael RogersGeneral Foreperson

Kentucky

Mario SaenzForeperson

Texas

Randy SchmittForepersonWisconsin

Dennis StapolaVP / Director

Risk ManagementWillow Grove

Barry SuddrethVP / Regional Sponsor

North Carolina


Raymond AdkinsTrimmer

West Virginia

Herb BabbGeneral Foreperson

Kansas

Robert BakerForeperson

Ohio

Ed BoydSupervisor

Idaho

Kevin CanoySpray Foreperson

Washington

Alberto CastanedaForeperson

Arizona

Carl CollinsForeperson

Ohio

Michael CoughenourCrew LeaderPennsylvania

Vincent CrommettForeperson

Maine

Chris DeardorffTrimmer

Washington

Jason EbertForepersonWisconsin

Daniel EnmanForeperson

New Hampshire

Michael FrieseSuperintendent

Wisconsin

Stephanie GalloOffice Manager

Pennsylvania

David GougeonForeperson

Massachusetts

Phillip GrabenWork Planner

Alabama

Michael GroceForeperson

Missouri

Preston HarbisonGeneral Foreperson

Colorado

John HartigJourneyman Line WorkerAsplundh Construction

New York

Oscar HernandezGeneral Foreperson

Texas

Cletus Hottle, Jr.General Foreperson

Virginia

Roger HurstGeneral Foreperson

Missouri

Derrick JacksonForeperson

Ohio

Troy JacksonForeperson

Missouri

Jerzyk JanasiakTrimmer

New Jersey

Lloyd JonesForeperson


Peter JosephForeperson

Florida

Fred KnightForeperson

Missouri

Tara LackmanAP Specialist

Accounts PayableWillow Grove

Geoffrey LorahGeneral Foreperson

Virginia

Christine MayerBilling Specialist


Randall McClureGeneral Foreperson

Missouri

Robert McKillipsSupervisorMichigan

Benjamin McKinneyForeperson

West Virginia

Jose MedranoForepersonMaryland

Bethany MiraSupervisor

HR-BenefitsWillow Grove

Steven MoodyForeperson

Virginia

Leonard MulkeyForeperson

Georgia

Linda Murray-BooyFlagger

New York

Danny MyhreTrimmer

Wisconsin

Sergio Peralta-AlemendarezForepersonColorado

Remy PetithommeForeperson

Florida

Patrick ReinoehlGeneral Foreperson

ALS of North CarolinaNorth Carolina

Richard RogersForeperson

Virginia

Arturo SantamariaForepersonColorado

Charles SmithGroundperson

Maryland

Troy StiensTrimmerMissouri

Tony TavaresForeperson

New Hampshire

Jaime Vasquez-CabreraForepersonColorado

Patrick WellsForeperson

Missouri

David WilkeForepersonWisconsin

Derik WolfeSupervisorMaryland

John WrightGeneral Foreperson

Kansas

20YEARS


p Alliant Energy and Asplundh Join Together For Day of Caring—On September 30, 2016, Supervisor Scott Richter (not shown) and General Foreperson Kraig Hansen (orange shirt) of the Joe Sterbenz Region joined Alliant Energy employees (L to R) Matt Leffler, Vic Senter, Cody Wilson, Tanner Banks, Dee Brown, Jarvis Everett, Scott Carlton and Jon VanZante for the United Way Day of Caring at Camp Appanoose. The camp, located in Centerville, Iowa, supports children and families with programs designed to help build character and values. The group cleared horseback riding trails, assembled and welded donated playground equipment, and mowed some small trees and brush to make the grounds clear and safe.

CREWS & NEWS

p Asplundh Crews Help The First Tee—The First Tee provides programs that help kids and teens develop integrity, respect and perseverance through the values found in the game of golf. When The First Tee took over the Walnut Lane Golf Course in Roxborough, Pennsylvania in 2016, many of the trees along the fairways needed to be removed or pruned to keep the grounds safe for the thousands of kids involved in the program. In April, Supervisor Rick Sankolewicz, General Foreperson Dave Jones and crews became the latest folks from the Pat Pinelli Region to volunteer their time pruning dead limbs and removing high-risk trees to keep the greens safe for all.

COMMUNITYSERVICE

u Vining Region Helps ACTC Set Championship Course— On February 25, the Arizona Community Tree Council (ACTC) held its

annual Tree Festival and Climbing Championship at Esteban Park in Phoenix. General Foreperson Fidel Ramirez of the Jeff Vining Region

volunteered his time to assist the ACTC in setting the Work Climb Competition course. Fidel used an aerial lift truck to set ropes and bells

in a tree to be used by competitors in the five Work Climb stations: handsaw, limb toss, pole pruning, limb walk and landing. When not

volunteering to support his industry, Fidel oversees crews working on Arizona Public Service property.

t Home Office Employee Of The Year—At the Holiday Assembly on December 10, 2016, Senior Regional Administrator Jeff Powell of the Customer & Field Liaison Department was named the Home Office Employee of the Year. Assistant Manager John Baker and Operations Supervisor Mark Bologna presented Jeff with the award, noting his dedication, dependability, willingness to accept new challenges and the ability to successfully complete them. Along with a specially-engraved plaque,

Jeff also received a $1,000 cash prize for his outstanding efforts to support the field and his coworkers in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

p Home Office Employees Of The Month—These Home Office employees who went above and beyond to support the field and internal operations were recognized with the Home Office Employee of the Month award. Standing (L to R): Linda Goldress of IT was recognized at the Holiday Assembly in December 2016, Vitaliy Levitskiy of IT received the award in January, and Bill Wambold of Building Maintenance and Grounds was named in February. Seated (L to R): Amanda Murray of Customer & Field Liaison was honored in March, Melissa Kurek of Accounts Payable won in April, and Tyler Mizvitowicz of Legal earned the award in May.

HOMEOFFICEHONORS


TRAININGTIMES

p November 2016 GFTP—The General Foreperson Training Program was held on November 14-17, 2016 at the Home Office in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Led by Field Personnel Manager Pete Kwasnjuk, the graduates were (front row, L to R): Jennifer Samela, Connecticut; Jacob Roggenkamp, Colorado; Abe Buentello, Ohio; David Mofield, Tennessee; Scott Stone, Pennsylvania; Brian Keith Wilmoth, North Carolina; Jonathan Cook, North Carolina; Ken Johnston, Ohio; and Robert Simms, Kansas. In the middle row were (L to R): Jeff Holliday, West Virginia; Jimmie Smith, West Virginia; Duane Noel, Connecticut; Gary Gaston, Jr., Michigan; Eric Niles, Georgia; Gordon Duffield, West Virginia; and Aaron Moore, Kentucky. Standing in the back row were (L to R): Joe Price, Illinois; Miguel Molina, Colorado; Randy Holden, Pennsylvania; Charles McMaster, Virginia; and Brendan Schneider, Michigan.

p March 2017 GFTP—On March 13-17, the General Foreperson Training Program was held at the Home Office in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The attendees were (front row, L to R): Tony Vail, Texas; Joel Donner, Wisconsin; Adam Metaxas, ArborMetrics Solutions, California; J.D. Kershner, Florida; Lonny Poling, Washington; Greg Erb, Ohio; and Elvis Peacock, Jr., Michigan. In the middle row were (L to R): Josh Dixon, Maryland; Bill Highlander, Indiana; Chris Warren, Alabama; Fran Whilden, New Jersey; Jeff Fritz, Washington; and Jeremy Banks, North Carolina. Standing in the back row were (L to R): Mike Sprague, New Hampshire; Lorenzo Cardona, North Carolina; Greg McRae, Railroad Division, Manitoba, Canada; Jay Ward, Alabama; Jerry Cochran, III, Virginia; and Chip Farrington, Michigan.

p February 2017 GFTP—The first General Foreperson Training Program of 2017 was held at the Home Office in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania on February 6-10. The participants were (back row, L to R): David Fox, Sr., Virginia; Ricky Marshall, South Carolina; Kenny West, South Carolina; John Keliihananui, Florida; Kevin Jackson, South Carolina; and Randy Bruer, Alabama. In the middle row were (L to R): Dee Rushing, Oklahoma; Brandon Delp, Virginia; Roger Hurst, Missouri; Santiago Valencia, Florida; Pat Callan, West Virginia; Casey Rendall, Washington; and Geoff Willis, Railroad Division, Mississippi. Standing in the front row were (L to R): David Todd, Mississippi; Jason Mims, Alabama; Daniel Mitchell, Jr., Ohio; Josh Volf, South Carolina; Mike Cooks, Michigan; Lee Robertson, Virginia; James Nemetch, Railroad Division, Florida; and Rey Reyna, Michigan.

p Historic Gettysburg Sets The Scene For Leadership Training—On January 31-February 3, Executive Vice President Gregg Asplundh (bottom row, center) invited his region managers to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for an intensive, multi-day leadership meeting. Along with informative sessions held with several Home Office Department Heads (included with managers above), Gregg planned a special education opportunity just for his region managers that couldn’t be held anywhere other than on the hallowed ground of this famous Civil War battlefield. Steven Wiley (bottom photo, far L), founder and president of The Lincoln Leadership Institute at Gettysburg, led the group through Gettysburg National Military Park, discussing the lessons learned during the historic battle and how those lessons can be applied to the challenges of modern business. Following their time on the battlefield, special guest speaker, Admiral Scott Moore (far R) spoke to the group about his 30 years of experience in Naval Special Warfare, including his role in the “no fail” hostage rescue operation to save Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates, which was popularized in the 2013 movie, Captain Phillips.

t Confere Region GF Mentoring Class—On December 7, 2016, forepersons and work planners from the Keith Confere Region in Ohio were invited to participate in a General Foreperson Mentoring Class. Held in Columbus, RSS William Walk led the class, focusing on the procedural information these folks need in order to take their careers to

the next level. Among the topics discussed were incident investigation and reporting, job behavior observation, and conducting weekly safety meetings. The Confere Region has hosted these classes for about five years now. Three students from the December class have already been promoted to general foreperson on the properties of AEP Ohio and Consolidated Electric Cooperative.


30-YEARWATCHES

p Work Planner Mike Hoover (second from L, January 1987) received a specially-engraved watch from Manager Keith Confere (second from R) along with congratulations from AEP Ohio Foresters Keith Chapman (far L) and Steve Young (far R) during a lunch held for his 30

years of loyal service to Asplundh. Mike works throughout the Bucyrus, Ohio area.

p Manager Keith Confere (R) and AEP Ohio Forestry Supervisor Rich Simpson (L) had the privilege of taking Foreperson Chuck Mays, Jr. (center, January 1987) out to lunch to celebrate his 30 th anniversary with Asplundh. Chuck currently oversees a crew in and around Chillicothe, Ohio.

p Foreperson Barry Haff (second from L, June 1986) was treated to lunch by (L to R) Vice President Joe Schneider, General Foreperson Eric Bussiere and Supervisor Dean Delsman to celebrate his 30 th anniversary with Asplundh. Barry has worked on Wisconsin Public Service property for his entire career.

p Manager of Accounts Payable Sue Mann (center) received a specially-engraved watch from Secretary-Treasurer Brian Bauer (R) and Corporate Controller Matt Nolan (L) to mark her 30 years of service. Sue joined Asplundh in October 1986 as a junior accountant, and has served in her current managerial capacity since 1996.

p At a GF Meeting in January, Executive Vice President Chris Asplundh, Jr. (far L) and Supervisor Dave Robinson (second from L) joined Manager Mike Wolford (far R) in recognizing General Foreperson Tom Dyke (second from R, January 1987) for 30 years of service with a specially-engraved watch. Tom works on South Central Power property in Ohio.

p General Foreperson Rodney Carter (center, February 1987) received a handshake of appreciation and a specially-engraved watch from Manager David Simmons (R) and Supervisor Chris Fix (L) in recognition of his 30 th anniversary with Asplundh. Rodney oversees crews on Northern Neck Electric Co-op. property in Virginia.

p Executive Vice President Gregg Asplundh (R) recognized Vice President / Regional Sponsor Barry Suddreth (L, January 1987) for 30 years of outstanding service during his Region Managers’ Meeting in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania this past February. Barry oversees vegetation operations for Duke Energy and various cooperative and municipal accounts in the Carolinas.

p Manager Ed Bradshaw, (second from L) presented a specially-engraved watch to Foreperson John Becker (second from R, December 1986) during a steak dinner held in honor of his 30 th anniversary. Also on hand was Supervisor Scott Leonard (far L), and RSS Paul Snethen (far R). John works on Kansas City Power & Light property and has worked his entire career without a recordable incident.

p Vice President Doug Smith (R) visited Foreperson Eddie Clary (L, October 1985) at his work site, where he presented Eddie with a specially-engraved watch and handshake of appreciation in recognition of his 30 years of loyal service. Eddie oversees a crew on Duke Energy Progress property in North Carolina.


FAMILYALBUM

INMEMORIAM

u Tawnia Mills officially earned the title of “Grammy” with the birth of her

first grandchild. Avery Marie Rose Mills was born October 27, 2016 to

Tawnia’s son, Austin,and his wife, April. Avery weighed in at 6 lbs., 7 oz. and was 19 inches in length. According to the new grandmother, “it was love at first sight!”

Tawnia works in the David McGinley Region of Grid One Solutions in Florida as

an administrative assistant.

u Roger Satterfield was a proud grandpa after

seeing his grandson, Trenton Bush, 10, win his third state

championship in wrestling. He beat his Ravenswood, West

Virginia school’s record by becoming a three-time state champion, a title no wrestler

has held since 2000. Roger is a general foreperson based

in Weirton, working on Mon Power property in the Mike

Wolford Region.

t Coming from a long line of Asplundh men, it’s no surprise Brayden Stockwell, 6, decided to dress up as an Asplundh worker for career day at his school in Remus, Michigan last February. Brayden’s dad, Thomas Stockwell, is a foreperson working on Consumers Energy property. His uncles, General Foreperson Elvis Peacock, Jr. and Trimmer Jason Peacock, as well as his “Poppa” Superintendent Elvis Peacock, all work in the Ray Schneider Region with Thomas.

t It was a very happy New Year’s Eve for Hanna and Jordan Brown as they celebrated their first child’s first birthday! Ava Grace Brown was born December 31, 2015. Her dad, Jordan, works as a foreperson over a clean-up crew on the Blue Ridge EMC system in the Barry Suddreth Region in North Carolina.

t Manager Don Redden welcomed his newest granddaughter into the world on February 15. Alayua Ina Redden was born weighing 6 lbs., 14 oz. and was 19 inches in length. She is the daughter of Don’s son, Jaffen, and his wife, Allison. Don oversees operations in northeast and central Pennsylvania for PPL Electric Utilities, Buckeye Pipeline and various municipalities.

t Asplundh spirit seems to run in this family! Jackie Westfall brought along her grandkids to the Kris Keefer Region’s 2nd annual employee picnic last August in North Lawrence, Ohio. The kids (from L to R) Leah, 8, Laci, 6, Liam, 3, and Layla, 10, were all smiles, decked out

in Asplundh gear at the picnic. Jackie is an office manager at the regional office in Hartville, Ohio, and her husband, Tom, is a recently retired foreperson with over 40 years of service at Asplundh. With a family like this, it’s no surprise these kids are excited about Asplundh!

Billy Campbell, supervisor in the Barry Suddreth Region, passed away on February 15 in his hometown of Anderson, South Carolina at the age of 55 after a tough battle with cancer. A 33-year Asplundh veteran, Billy joined a tree crew in 1983 and within five years, he had advanced to general foreperson. In 1998, Billy was promoted to supervisor, overseeing Asplundh crews working on the properties of Duke Energy and various rural electric cooperative and municipal accounts in western South Carolina. He received corporate recognition several times for safety performance and storm response. Billy is survived by his wife, Brenda, a daughter, Breanne, three sisters, as well as nieces and nephews. We extend our deepest sympathy to Billy’s family and all who knew him. He is sincerely missed.


WILDLIFECORNER

NEWSUPERVISORSINTHEFIELDContinued from page 6

t Braving the snow turned out to be well worth it for Scott Pfister as he took down his first mountain lion last January. Scott brought along his wife, Karen, for a hunt in Western Montana where he got this 150-pound cat. In addition to expert hunting, Scott is a foreperson and Karen is an apprentice, both in the Shawn Shapiro Region, working on Northern Lights property in Montana.

u This 250-pound black bear was harvested by Travis Bottcher on

a springtime hunt in 2016. Travis went out for a day of hunting with friend and coworker, Joe Stokes,

when he managed to shoot this huge black bear. Pictured in the truck with the bear are Joe’s dogs, which aided

in the hunt. Travis made use of all parts of the bear, even having its skin made into a rug. Outside of hunting,

Travis is a general foreperson and Joe is a groundperson, both working in

the Shawn Shapiro Region on Avista Utilities property in Idaho.

u While on a hunting trip near Guttenberg, Iowa,

Curt Saunders managed to harvest this massive big buck. The hunt took

place on November 18, 2016 and Curt reported that the 12-point whitetail

buck weighed about 173 pounds. Beyond hunting, Curt works as a

general foreperson overseeing crews on Alliant Energy property for the Joe

Sterbenz Region in Iowa.

p Asplundh Ingenuity Solves Log Jam—Last November, heavy rainfall in Bow, Washington caused a tree on Puget Sound Energy (PSE) property to fall across the Samish River. As debris collected behind the tree, it diverted the flow of the river, threatening to flood nearby homes. With the rain continuing to fall, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, PSE Sr. Project Manager Brett Conrad and General Foreperson Eric Force of the Shawn Shapiro Region acted quickly to create an environmentally-sensitive plan to remove the fallen tree and the debris, allowing the river to return to its original banks. Foreperson John Milbourn and crew used an excavator to clear the debris from the log jam, then the team divided up on land and in a row boat to cut up the fallen tree and remove the sections from the water. The work took three days and was completed safely and without negative impact to this popular fishing area.

ONTHEJOB

Geoff Willis rejoined the Asplundh Railroad Division in December 2016 as a supervisor under Manager Randal Haines. Executive Vice President David Fleischner sponsors the Railroad Division.

Geoff got his start with Asplundh Railroad in 1995, working as a foreperson and sprayman for over five years. He left the company to start

a construction business, but returned to the railroad industry in 2012 where he gained experience in management for another vegetation management contractor. Now, as a supervisor for Asplundh Railroad, Geoff is primarily responsible for overseeing spray and mechanical crews working for railroads in Canada.

Zac Womble, former general foreperson in Texas, advanced to supervisor in January under Manager David Fulford. Executive Vice President Brent Asplundh sponsors the Fulford Region in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.

Zac joined an Asplundh tree crew in his home state of Texas in 2006. With two years of prior experience as a lineman apprentice, he

was promoted to general foreperson in 2007. His responsibilities as a supervisor include overseeing Asplundh tree crews working on the property of Xcel Energy for the Southwestern Public Service Company in Texas and New Mexico. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and member of the Utility Arborist Association and Texas Vegetation Management Association.


PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSoutheastern, PA

Permit # 8099

International Headquarters708 Blair Mill RoadWillow Grove, PA 19090www.asplundh.com

CO-OPCORNERNot far from Rocky Mountain

National Park, Mountain Parks Electric, Inc. (MPEI) is

headquartered in Granby, Colorado and serves members in the ruggedly beautiful Grand and Jackson Counties, as well as parts of three neighboring counties.

Asplundh General Foreperson Shaun Rapp, Job Planner Michael Bunker and two crews from the David Fulford Region work closely with the co-op to manage vegetation along 1,158 miles of overhead primary and 154 miles of overhead secondary lines. In 2006, MPEI began contracting with Asplundh to help them respond to the pine beetle epidemic at the time, which was causing increased outages throughout the system and threatened to cause a catastrophic forest fire. The crews played an important role in MPEI obtaining grant funding for a tree mitigation program from 2010 through 2014.

“Asplundh not only played a key role in our ability to obtain the grant funding, but they have also become part of the MPEI family,” says Granby Line Superintendent Bruce Van Bockern. “And they continue to play an important part in our current vegetation management plan.”

In order to secure and renew grant funds from the Colorado State Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Natural Resources, a detailed plan and strong record keeping and documentation were required. Leah McClain, MPEI’s Operations Department

u Gathered for a group photo on a steep Mountain Parks Electric, Inc. (MPEI)

right-of-way near Granby, Colorado are: (standing, L to R) Foreperson Renato Ruiz, MPEI Operations Department Coordinator

Leah McClain and Job Planner Michael Bunker. Seated (L to R) are: Trimmer Renato Ruiz, Jr., MPEI Granby Line Superintendent Bruce Van

Bockern, General Foreperson Shaun Rapp and Foreperson John Niemzyk.

t After removing nearly 80,000 beetle-killed trees along MPEI rights-of-way in grant-funded projects from 2010 through 2014, Asplundh crews are now managing the new growth that followed the clear cutting. MPEI is no longer in the crisis response mode and with Asplundh’s help, they are now managing vegetation along the co-op’s 27 circuits on a 10-year rotation.

Coordinator, worked with Bruce and the Asplundh crews to gather the information needed. During the grant process, MPEI and Asplundh’s job planner performed weekly audits, which included on-site visits, as well as a review of daily activity sheets and weekly time sheets.

“If it weren’t for Asplundh’s expertise in recognizing the areas of greatest concern, and their willingness to provide MPEI with important information, such as before and after photos and detailed daily work logs and time sheets, we never would have been able to continue getting as much

grant funding as we did,” explained Leah. “Asplundh was helpful and professional in communicating between MPEI and our members. Getting them to understand the importance of mitigating hazardous trees was imperative to our right-of-way clearing efforts.”

In 2013, the co-op began to transition out of a reactive program into a proactive 10-year vegetation management plan led by Bruce. Thanks to the open communication style they share, he says, “MPEI is thrilled to have Asplundh as part of our team, and they are much appreciated.”

Documents

Summer 2017 THE ASPLUNDH TREE...The Asplundh TREE is a family magazine, published three times a year for all employees and friends of the Asplundh companies. Asplundh welcomes requests