THE ATHE ASPLSPLUNDH TREEUNDH TREESummer 2004

splundh has a high percentage ofits employees who love to hunt, that’sfor sure. Given a choice to go huntingor sit alone in a motel room, mostAsplundh employees wouldn’t takelong to decide on hunting.

However, when General ForemanJeff Findley of the Steve Bostock Regionin Alabama organized a special kind ofhunt for his Florida outsource crews onEaster Sunday, the response at first waslukewarm. Easter eggs just don’t offerthe challenge—or the chance to be inthe woods—that most of them enjoyabout hunting! So Jeff told them that thenumber inside each of the two dozen

plastic eggs he hid correspondedto a prize (phone cards, WalMartgift certificates, etc.) Then theywarmed up to the idea!

With colorful Easter baskets inhand, 11 grown men began toscour the landscaping of their Ft.Myers motel for the telltale signsof the Easter Bunny’s presence.Pretty soon they were runningfrom bush to tree to pond’s edge,grabbing up plastic eggs. Trimmer“Bootsy” Hallford won $10 forfinding the most, but Jeff madesure each man had at least twoeggs so everyone was a winner.Soon the grill was fired up andthey played horseshoes.

In early May, Jeff’s crewsfinally finished up their three-month assignment to prune LeeCounty Electric Cooperative’spower lines on Marco, Pine,Sanibel and Captiva Islands,Everglade City and North Ft.Myers. Although, the projectwent smoothly and everyonecame home safe and sound, Jeffknew that spending the Easterholiday away from family andfriends in Alabama could havebeen a real morale-buster. Sharing a few silly moments“hunting” and enjoying somegood food together helped to taketheir minds off of the situation.

The Asplundh Tree is a family magazine,published quarterly for all employees and friendsof 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 belowfor permission, or call 1-800-248-TREE (in theU.S. or Canada).

©2004 Asplundh Tree Expert Co.

On the CoverSprayer Joe Seabridge of the Doug Gober Regionin southeastern Pennsylvania uses an ultra lowvolume application on woody species that couldgrow into the PECO Energy lines above him. Heand Foremen Dave Jones and Dave Morlandwere photographed working on the Green Laneresearch plots. (Photo by Kristin Wild)

Managing EditorCorporate CommunicationsPatti ChipmanWriter/EditorKristin WildAssistant Editor/Graphics SpecialistRonnie Gauker

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

Printed on recycled paper

ContentsAsplundh’s Work Supports

Tree Line USA Utilities ............................ 2Safety Success Is No Accident ....................... 4VSI Wins BGE Award and

New AMR Contract ................................... 7New Product Review ...................................... 8Management Update ....................................... 9Orchids ........................................................... 11Service Anniversaries .................................... 15Crews & News ............................................... 17Merit Awards Recognize Great Deeds ......... 23Retirees Honored ........................................... 25

Alabama Outsourcing Crews ‘Hunt’ and Cook Out

Summer Issue 2004

THETHEAASPLSPLUNDHUNDH

TREETREEA

The real reason for being away from home on Easter wasa time-sensitive Lee County Electric Cooperative projectto clear certain circuits. Above, Foreman Joel Mitchellpulls hangers from a Cuban Laurel, a member of theBanyan family, as he worked on Marco Island.

Even the grill for the cookout was fair game for finding hidden Easter eggs. The “hunters” included MickeyOwens, Tim Owens, “Bootsy” Hallford, Jack Small, Sr.,Joe Burton, James Small, Sr., Joel Mitchell, Clay Simmons,“Dee” Robinson, Tommy Stapleton, Jr. and Arthur Smith.

“Hunters” Joe Burton and Joel Mitchell of theBostock Region in Alabama search for well-camouflaged Easter eggs in the Florida oleanderduring a humorous hunt organized by GeneralForeman Jeff Findley.

1The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Stormy Times

ith the hurricane season here, manyAsplundh operations along the East andGulf Coasts will be on alert for the nextfew months. But let’s take a moment tolook back at late May and early June whenmore than 270 crews were mobilized in theMidwest and the South to clean up afterpowerful thunderstorms that packed hurricane force straight line winds.

The first wave of crews was sent out foremergency work after a May 24 storm torethrough American Electric Power (AEP)territory in southwestern Michigan andnortheastern Indiana. Straight line windswere clocked at over 90 miles per hour—almost like a hurricane! Supervisor CarlMarcum of the Dave Sachs Region immediately put all of his local and regionalcrews on the job and over the next fewdays he received an additional 33 crewsfrom the Mark Contat and Jeff DuncanRegions in Ohio and Indiana. It tookalmost 10 days to completely restore powerand AEP kept the additional crews on for atotal of three weeks to remove hangers andincrease maintenance on certain circuits.

Dozens of tornadoes were reported inlate May and early June, most of which didnot strike heavily populated areas, thankfully.However, powerful thunderstorms on thenight of June 1 and in the evening of June 2did strike the greater metropolitan areas ofDallas/Ft. Worth and Longview, Texas andTulsa, Oklahoma, as well as parts ofLouisiana and Arkansas. Again, straightline winds were clocked at over 90 milesper hour. These two storm events hit thesame general areas of Texas, Oklahoma,Arkansas and Louisiana, causing especiallybad damage in the TXU Electric Deliveryand AEP territories.

This time, it was the Tom LeverentzRegion who needed a big infusion of“orange blood”. Supervisor Lance Viningtook in 184 Asplundh crews from six management regions in Texas, Louisiana,Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Alabama!They joined Leverentz Region crews working for TXU Electric Delivery in

W

To handle the widespread stormdamage to AEP and TXU lines in somany residential areas like this one,

over 240 Asplundh crews were mobilized from the Jason Coccodrilli,

Mike Smith, Mel Riley, Martin Arriola,Allen LeBlanc, Dan Thurston,

Will Willis and Steve Bostock Regions.Some crews have remained on the

TXU system to help increase maintenance work on a number of

prioritized circuits.

Supervisor Donald Redden of the JeffDuncan Region sent in this photo of all the

Asplundh crews during their morning liftinspection procedure before heading out for

more storm work in the Benton Harbor,Michigan area. More than 33 crews were

mobilized from Ohio and Indiana to southwestern Michigan and northeastern

Indiana to help AEP recover from a series ofbad storms that began on May 24 with over

90-mile per hour straight line winds.

General Foreman Curt Cline sent in this photo ofone of his crews working for AEP in Arkansas toremove a 50-foot section of a 100-foot tall pine treewhich had broken out and was suspended over a72kV line. With more stormy weather in the forecast,removing this huge limb was an urgent need. Foremen Jeremy Pearce and Willie Winship withhelp from Trimmers Kiel McWilliams, Ronnie Penderand Reggie Marks worked very carefully to securethe broken section with ropes, trim limbs hangingover the line, begin to lower the broken limb withfour different ropes and eventually remove the tree. A difficult job well done! Whew!

Dallas and throughout northern Texas.While power was restored for most peoplewithin a week, many of these crews havebeen kept on to help TXU increase maintenance on a number of circuits.

To help AEP in Oklahoma, Arkansas,Louisiana and Texas restore power,Supervisor Kenny Cuevas received anextra 60 crews from four managementregions nearby. They joined over 125local crews and supervision to workthrough the weekend to clear uprooted

and damaged trees from AEP lines. Withinfive days, power was restored and thensome of these mobilized crews moved onto TXU to help in their clean-up efforts.

Many thanks to all personnel who lefttheir families behind to work long hours onthese emergencies, as well as CorporateStorm Coordinator Matt Asplundh andAlternates who fielded hundreds of phonecalls and e-mails for several days as thestorm response evolved. Great job!

2The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

For Arbor Day 2004,approximately 75 trees were planted in cooperation with

volunteers from Kansas CityPower & Light Co. (KCPL) and

the Mel Riley Region. Pictured in front of the KCPL

Linemen’s Memorial where thetrees were planted are (front row,L to R): Foremen Marlow Slavens

and Zane Stauffer with Journeyman Derek Bolen. Standing (L to R) are: KCPL Superintendent Contracts Dale Myers, General Foreman Paul Snethen,

Journeyman Jim Merrill, KCPL Director Resource Management Mark Schuler, Foreman Chris Clark, General Foreman Anthony Herrera, Foreman Jason Ross

and KCPL Manager Work/Contracts Hong Nguyen.

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) has beena Tree Line USA utility for 11years now! This year Asplundhemployees from the Jeff DuncanRegion participated in the ArborDay tree planting project atHendry Park Elementary Schoolin Angola, Indiana. PermissionPersons Ben Ross and MitchDelong and Trimmer/ClimberTerry Anderson loaded andunloaded four crimson king norway maples, dug the holesand watered the trees as the kidshelped with the backfilling. All400 students took home aseedling, courtesy of NIPSCO.

Asplundh’s Work Supports Tree Line USA Utilities

rees and power lines don’t always getalong, but both are very important to our communities. The annual Trees & UtilitiesConference aims to make it easier forhealthy trees and reliable power to co-exist.

This year’s Annual Trees & Utilities Conference was held on March 29-31 inOmaha, Nebraska and was presented by theNational Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the Utility Arborist Association, the Edison Electric Institute’sVegetation Management Task Force, theAmerican Public Power Association andthe National Rural Electric CooperativeAssociation. Since the annual meetingbegan 11 years ago, Asplundh has joinedwith the nation’s leading experts in utilityarboriculture and urban forestry to discussways to work together more effectively.

Joe Lentz, manager of Asplundh’sArborchem Products Division, gave a presentation on vegetation management for utility rights-of-way, emphasizing the technological advances in herbicide application. In addition to many interestingand practical presentations, the conferencealso provided a venue for publicly recognizingutilities that meet the requirements for theTree Line USA designation.

This year, the award was bestowed upon115 utilities, the vast majority of whichemploy Asplundh tree crews! These utilities earned the Tree Line USA designationby meeting the following criteria:

regular training for tree workerspublic education and tree planting in their communitiesutilization of proper pruning practices.

Asplundh is proud to be a part of theseutilities’ efforts to ‘do the right thing’ inutility arboriculture.

T ComEd in the Chicago area hasbeen a Tree Line USA utility for five

years now and one of the programs thatit offers to communities is a tree

removal and replacement program. Theutility (using Asplundh crews) removes

undesireable trees from under theirpower lines and offers municipalities

half the cost of a new, power line-friendly tree. Shown here are crewsfrom the Doug Gober Region under

General Foremen Kurt Pilz, RobSchnelle and Mark Lohse who recentlyremoved 57 trees along an eight block

stretch for the city of Skokie, Illinois.With new trees planted, the streets look

so much neater and the integrity of the lines is assured.

3The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Asplundh crewsand equipment fromthe Doug GoberRegion, including this70-ft. bucket truck inthe background, weredonated for the 2004Penn-Del ISA ArborDay charity event onApril 21. Penn-DelISA President GeoffKempter of AsplundhTechnical Servicestook this photo of (L to R): Foremen

Bill Ridgway and David Sliwinski, Trimmer/Climbers Jeff Davis andTravis Logeman and General Foreman Earnie Riddle, Jr. with Arbor DayCoordinator Mike Chenail (kneeling). They spent the morning providingmuch needed tree care services to the St. Edmond’s Home for Children inRosemont, Pennsylvania.

Asplundh crews underGeneral Foreman GaryBrittingham in the SteveMiller Region proudlyhold up the Tree Line USA banner that belongs toDelaware Electric Cooperative. This photowas taken in 2003 whenthe utility first earned thehonor from the NationalArbor Day Foundation.The Delaware ElectricCooperative earned therecognition once again in

2004 because it continues to emphasize the worker training, public education, community tree planting and proper pruning methods that arerequired for the designation.

AEP Public Service Co. of OklahomaAEP SWEPCO (AR, LA, TX)AEP Texas Central Company AEP Texas North CompanyAlabama Power Company Alliant Energy (IA, IL, MN, WI) Ameren (IL, MO) Arizona Public Service Austin Energy (TX) Azusa Light and Water (CA)Bath Electric, Gas, & Water (NY) Benton Public Utility District (WA)Brigham City Light and Power (UT)Bristol Electric System (TN)Brownsville Public Utilities Board(TX)Burbank Water and Power (CA)Central Vermont Public ServiceCorporation (VT) Chicopee Electric Light (MA)Choptank Electric Cooperative (MD)Chugach Electric Association (AK) Citizens’ Electric Company (PA)City of Anaheim Public UtilitiesDepartment (CA) City of Batavia Municipal ElectricUtility (IL)City of Forest Grove Electric (OR) City of Lompoc Utility Services (CA)City of Redding Electric Utility (CA)City of Riverside Public Utilities(CA) City of Stoughton Electric (WI)

City of Tallahassee Electric (FL)City of Westerville Electric Division (OH) City Public Service of San Antonio(TX) City Utilities of Springfield (MO) Clark Public Utilities (WA) Cleveland Utilities (TN) Clinton Utilities Board (TN) Colorado Springs Utilities (CO) Columbia Water and Light (MO) ComEd (IL) Conectiv (DE, MD, NJ, VA) Consumers Power (OR)Crawford Electric Cooperative (MO)Cuivre River Electric Coop (MO) Cuyahoga Falls Electric Dept. (OH)Delaware Electric Cooperative (DE)Detroit Edison (MI)Duquesne Light Company (PA) Dyersburg Electric System (TN) Edmond Electric (OK) Entergy (AR, LA, MS, TX) First Energy (NJ, OH, PA)Florida Power & Light (FL) Gaffney Board of Public Works (SC)Gainesville Regional Utilities (FL)Golden Valley Electric Assoc. (AK)Hartford Electric (WI) Idaho Power Co. (ID, NV, OR) Illinois Power Company Independence Power & Light (MO)

Indianapolis Power & Light (IN) Johnson City Power Board (TN) Kansas City Power & Light (MO) Knoxville Utilities Board (TN) Lakeland Electric (FL) Lansing Board of Water & Light(MI)Long Island Power Authority (NY) Los Angeles Department of Waterand Power (CA)Madison Gas & Electric Co. (WI) Matanuska Electric Assoc. (AK) MidAmerican Energy Company(IA, IL, NE, SD) Mishawaka Utilities (IN) National Grid USA (MA, NH, RI)Nebraska City Utilities (NE)New York State Electric & Gas (NY)Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. (NY) Northern Indiana Public Service Co.NSTAR (MA)Ocala Electric Utility (FL) OG&E Electric Services (OK)Omaha Public Power District (NE) Oncor (TX) Opelika Light & Power Dept. (AL) Orange and Rockland Utilities (NJ,NY, PA) Orlando Utilities Commission (FL)Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (CA)Pacificorp (CA, ID, OR, UT, WA,WY)Pasadena Water & Power (CA)

Peninsula Light Company (WA) People’s Electric Cooperative (OK)Pepco (DC, MD) Pioneer Electric Cooperative (OH)PPL Corporation (PA) Provo City Power (UT) Public Service Co. of New Mexico PUD #1 of Chelan County (WA)Puget Sound Energy (WA)Rappahannock Electric Cooperative(VA) Richland Electric Coop (WI)Richland Energy Services (WA) Richmond Power & Light (IN) Rochester Gas & Electric Corp. (NY)Ruston Light and Power (LA)Sacramento Municipal Utility District (CA)Salt River Project (AZ) San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (CA)Shawano Municipal Utilities (WI)Snohomish County P.U.D. # 1 (WA)Southern California Edison Upper Peninsula Power Co. (MI) Vernon Electric Coop (WI)Village of Rantoul (IL) Wayne-White Counties ElectricCooperative (IL) WE Energies (WI) Westar (KS) Wisconsin Public Service Corp.(MI, WI) Xcel Energy (AZ, CO, KS, MI,MN, ND, NM, OK, TX, WI, WY)

Congratulations to the Tree Line USA Utilities for 2004

4The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Erickson Region Celebrates Safety Achievements—On February 26,the Keith Erickson Region held their first annual Safety Incentive Dinnerfor all employees whose clean safety records qualified them to attend. Onhand to celebrate this special event was Vice President/Sponsor KeithAsplundh who congratulated the employees for working safely and urgedthem to keep it up! In addition to the dinner, these safety-minded crewschose from 25 different gift items, ranging from Asplundh camo hats andtoy lift trucks to 75th anniversary fleece pullovers.

Gober Region in Illinois First to Complete BBS&HP Program—Manager of Loss Prevention Services Pat Jacobs (front L) presented anaward of appreciation to Supervisor Larry Gauger (center) for being thefirst Asplundh field supervisor to make Behavioral Based Safety andHuman Performance (BBS&HP) available to the region’s employees. Inthe background are many of the almost 200 attendees who gave up theirown time to learn more about safety choices and changing behaviors.They work on the property of ComEd under Vice President Doug Gober(front R). This region is known for achieving the company record of 3.6million man-hours without a lost-time accident. Can you beat it?!

The Asplundh/DuPont Joint Oversight Team—Seated (L to R) are: Senior Managers Tom Cavanaugh and Max Sherman of DuPont Safety Resources and Asplundh Safety Training Manager Rod Cornett. Standing (L to R) are:

Director of Risk Management Dennis Stapola, Vice President and UPT Manager Pat O’Connor, Asplundh Construction Corp. Vice President Frank Giordano, Asplundh Vice President Steve Miller and Safety Supervisor Carlos DeLaTorre.

Historically, the Asplundh Tree Expert Co. has been the leaderin the line clearance industry with our “Best in Class” Safety Program. At Asplundh, we realize that our employees are our most valuable resource. We also realize that we must constantlystrive to achieve the highest level of standards in all areas, including safety.

To assist us in achieving high standards in safety, we haveasked well-respected internationalcorporation, DuPont, to workwith us in improving our safetyperformance at Asplundh.DuPont is well known for theirworld-class safety practices, aswell as their safety consultingbusiness—DuPont SafetyResources (DSR). DSR has beenhelping other companies improvetheir safety performance for over30 years.

by Pat O’Connor, UPT Inc. and Tom Cavanaugh, DuPont Safety Resources

‘Best In Class’ Gets Better With DuPont Safety Resources

With DSR’s expert help, we are exploring new ways to providethe safest working environment possible for our employees.Already, teams of people from DSR have been conducting fieldand data assessments to learn how safety is managed today. Thiseffort is nearing completion.

To help us implement DSR’s recommendations, a Joint Oversight Team (JOT) has been created. The goal of this team is

to incorporate the improvement recommendations into our culture.

All Asplundh employees frommanagement to field personnel willbe part of the safety improvementeffort as we move forward. Please“stay tuned” for more informationabout the improvement efforts inour “Best in Class” Safety Program.

Recognition for Safety Success

5The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

What’s all the talk about “behavioralbased safety” and “human performance”?Exactly what do those terms mean?

Behavioral based safety and human performance techniques are terms that youare going to hear a lot more about in thenear future. Both techniques work hand-in-hand to help achieve a world-class safetyenvironment. In a very short definition,both of these principles encourage employees to “want to” rather than “haveto” choose safe work practices over unsafework practices.

Human performance techniques implement positive reinforcement with thesame priority and value as negative reinforcement. This method makes a definite distinction between negative reinforcement and punishment. Negativereinforcement is the effort to correct abehavior through actions that focus on re-training, while punishment is simply apenalty for undesirable behavior.

Behavioral based safety is the conceptof changing attitudes toward safety bymodifying behavior. It is based on the concept that everyone involved realizes thatour goals individually, as a work group,and as an entire company, are all tiedtogether. From groundperson to companypresident, we rely on each other for success.Every link in the chain is important and ifone breaks, the whole concept falls apart.

The above definitions sound very simple,yet there are volumes of information,including entire books, written on each

Approximately 95% of theDoug Gober Region work force inPennsylvania took time out of theirpersonal schedules to learn aboutBehavioral Based Safety andHuman Performance during severalafter-work training sessions held inearly May. This photo was taken asthe employees arrived for the complimentary dinner that wasincluded. Pat Jacobs thanked allthe employees who attended his

presentation, as well as Supervisor Victor Sirvydas who coordinated these valuable meetings.

Thurston Region RewardsAccident-Free AND Perfect Attendance Employees—For thepast few years, as part of the DanThurston Region’s safety program,employees who maintained perfectattendance records, as well asbeing accident-free, received a special prize. This spring, ForemenBernard Powell and James Mosesalong with Crew Member DarrylLane met the criteria during the2003 work year and took homecolor TVs! They all work underGeneral Foreman Roger Franklinand were the only Asplundhemployees working on the propertyof Oklahoma Gas & Electric toearn this reward. Congrats!

This spring, Supervisor Mike

Meador (seated thirdfrom L) invited Pat

Jacobs (seated thirdfrom R) to bring the

Behavioral BasedSafety and Human

Performance Programto a training session inCorpus Christi, Texasfor all general foremenin the Allen LeBlanc Region (Allen is seated in the center). Corporate Safety Supervisor Tom Mata

(standing, third from L) also reviewed crew audit standards and the Four Objectives of SafetyManagement during the session. A tip of the hard hat goes to each of these men who volunteered

their own time on Saturday, May 1 to learn more about keeping their employees safe.

by Pat Jacobs, Manager of Loss Prevention Services

BBS&HP: What Does It Mean and How Can It Help?

Recognition for Safety Success continued

subject. The definitions above are just tointroduce you to the basic principles.

Our current situation proves that over90% of all accidents involve an employee’sCHOICE to commit an unsafe act, knowing full well that the unsafe act isagainst company policy, maybe even thelaw, and could very likely result in

serious personal injury. A prime exampleof this behavior is in the choice NOT towear seat belts.

Behavioral based safety and human performance techniques address the “why”in these types of choices. Even moreimportantly they address how to change theculture that creates this type of behavior.

General Foreman Roger Franklin (L) with Foreman Bernard Powell and ... Crew Member Darryl Lane and ... Foreman James Moses.

6The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Take a closer look at Apprentice Chris Larson’s forearms and you’ll see that hetakes safety seriously. SupervisorKevin Dove of the Mike SmithRegion in Florida has been drillinghis crews on the five steps of Decision Driving along with thefive steps of a Job Briefing. He andGeneral Foreman Jim Rhodes wereimpressed when they saw howChris and a few other clever newemployees drew abbreviations ontheir arms to help them learn thesteps. For Decision Driving, it’sExpand your look ahead; Size upthe scene; Signal your intentionsearly; Plan an escape route; andTake decisive action. For a JobBriefing, the abbreviations standfor: Hazards associated with worksite; Energy source or line voltage;

Special precautions; Work assignments; and Personal protective equipment.Now let’s hope they remember the content and apply the principles!

In the Jim Marsh Region of Utility Lines Construction Services, Inc. (ULCS), a New Hire Green Hard Hat policy has been recently implemented. New fieldemployees must wear a green hard hat for a minimum of 90 days. After that period, the employee must continue to wear the green hard hat until his or hergroundperson certification training is completed and filed. The Marsh Region’s Safety/Compliance Officer Van Folds says the new policy is working out well andhe lists some of the feedback he has received:1. You are able to see as soon as you drive up who is a new hire.2. The crews know that this employee may need more help with certain tasks ormay need to have things explained in more detail.3. When multiple crews work together, everyone knows this employee is not asexperienced as the other members and can adjust the work accordingly.4. The new employee has a goal and the foreman is pushed to complete thegroundperson training certification.The corporation’s Risk Management Department would like for all regions, tree

and construction, to take this idea into consideration for groundperson and above as it is another tool that can be used to prevent accidents.

Utility Meter Services, Inc. (UMS) employees who work for BlueRidge Electric in North Carolina are shown above getting fired up toattach the new Safety First decals to their vehicles. This is just another example of Asplundh and UMS’s commitment to safe and courteousdriving. By having the Safety First decal on our vehicles, it showsother drivers that our company cares about public, as well as employee,safety. It looks like these UMS employees already have a good, safeattitude about their driving. How about you?

In February, Kevin Forgue joined the corporateRisk Management Department as its Loss PreventionManager. Reporting to Director of Risk ManagementDennis Stapola, Kevin is responsible for overseeing allof the corporate safety supervisors and training managers in the field and Home Office.

A native of Illinois, Kevin brings to Asplundh morethan 30 years of experience in the line clearance andsafety management field. He has worked as a safetydirector for 10 years now and continues in that capacityfor our corporation’s wide and varied operations.

In addition to his many years of on-the-jobexperience, Kevin is an ISA Certified Arborist andhas completed training as a Certified Network Administrator. His office is currently based inHamilton, Ohio, but he travels throughout the fieldand to the Home Office regularly.

A Civil War enthusiast, Kevin enjoys hiking andoutdoor adventures like white water rafting andcaving. Let’s welcome him and wish him well as hetakes on the challenge of safety management for adiverse international company like Asplundh!

Kevin Forgue

New Safety Manager

Seriously Into Safety!

Great Safety Idea For New Employees

Wins BGE Award and New AMR Contract

7The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Each Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) unithas a small transmitter that is part of the installation process performed by VSI’s trainedtechnicians. Approximately 110,000 AMR meters will be installed by VSI for Bangor HydroElectric Co. in Maine. AMR systems help utilitiesimprove the speed and accuracy of data collectionand billing.

VSI Meter Services was acquired byAsplundh in June of 2003. As a subsidiary,VSI provides a range of meter services togas, electric and water utilities. Specializingin meter reading, meter installation, and Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) deployment projects, VSI also offers meterdisconnects, re-connects, call center supportand dispatch operations.

With a staff of over 250 and operationscurrently throughout the eastern U.S., VSI’s president is Greg Holman and thesubsidiary’s corporate office is in Aston,Pennsylvania. VSI has become a leader inthe industry due its experience in installingover 3.5 million meters, as well as its ability to provide a full turnkey solution forits clients. Widely regarded as one of thepremier AMR installation and project management companies, VSI recently hadtwo important events take place.

First, VSI was awarded Baltimore Gasand Electric’s 2004 Customer SatisfactionAward on March 30 at the BGE Contractors’Forum. Charlie Davis, VSI’s senior projectmanager in Baltimore, accepted the awardfrom BGE Vice President Johnny Magwood.This award is held in such high esteembecause BGE has numerous contractors, butrecognizes only a select few with specificawards. In addition to VSI, our constructionsubsidiary, ULCS, under Manager DickUmbel also received an award.

The efforts of the entire VSI/BGE teamresulted in this award, as well as on-goingpraise and new contracts from the client.

The second important event occurred onJune 7 when VSI was selected by BangorHydro Electric Company, a subsidiary ofEmera Incorporated, to perform installationservices for a full system deployment of anautomatic meter reading system in northernMaine. The AMR system will utilize Distribution Control System, Inc.’s

Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) AMRProject Supervisor Fred Bradley (secondfrom R) congratulates VSI for receiving theutility’s Customer Satisfaction Award. Proudly accepting the award are (L to R) Supervisors John Shrader and DaveBlessing, Senior Project Manager CharlieDavis and Supervisor Rich Pasko.

VSI’s friendly and helpful Call Center staffsmiles with pride as they pose with the BGECustomer Satisfaction Award they received thisspring. Front row (L to R): Hope Ormsby,Dawn Cain-Jacum, Carissa Eney and Jill Johnson. Back row (L to R): Michelle Goggins, Carol Stacy, Shirley Chason-Brunsand Chuck Lanneau.

Training has begun for the Bangor HydroElectric AMR Project, which includes the

installation of 110,000 new meters. Picturedhere are some new VSI employees training on

240 volt residential meter boards. Project Managers Mike Audette and Mitch Habas are

all geared up for further implementation.

Two-Way Automatic CommunicationsSystem (TWACS®).

The contract calls for installation ofthe patented TWACS® system andapproximately 110,000 advanced meters.VSI will provide the tools, systems,equipment and personnel necessary forthe full deployment. Additionally, VSIwill provide call center support so thatBangor Hydro’s customers can set upappointments for indoor accounts and

special circumstances. The projected completion date is December 31, 2004.

Project Managers Mike Audette andMitch Habas are heading up this project—a challenging one due to the short deployment timeframe and the geographicspread of Bangor Hydro’s service territory.However, the VSI team has gotten off to atremendous start, with many of the processesalready created and the project logisticswell in hand.

Customer Satisfaction Counts!

Contract in Maine Begins!

Who is VSI Meter Services, Inc?

8The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

New Product ReviewNew Safety Vest Meets ANSI Class II Requirements

Vista®, a post-emergence herbicide from Dow AgroSciences LLC, may nowbe applied at an increased label rate, which means roadside vegetation managerscan control troublesome broadleaf weed species such as curly dock, ragweed,goldenrod, wild carrot and ironweed, in addition to kochia, clover and thistle.

More importantly, Dow AgroSciences research suggests the new rateincreases the ability of utility vegetation managers to improve brush control bymixing Vista® with products like Garlon® and Tordon® herbicides—even withapplications that occur later in the season. An updated label also allows multiple broadcast applications.

Call Dow AgroSciences at 800-263-1196 or visit www.vegetationmgnt.comfor more information. To order supplies or discuss Vista® applications, pleasecontact Joe Lentz at 215-760-9420 or joelentz@arborchem.com.

Vista® Improves Late Season Herbicide Applications

Over the past year, Loss Prevention Compliance Manager Andrew Salvadoreand Safety Engineer Tracy Hawks have worked with the Asplundh PurchasingDept. and First Choice Safeware LLC to develop an improved safety vest.Designed to meet upcoming Federal Motor Carrier Vehicle Safety Regulations,the prototype safety vest is now in the field for testing and evaluation. Forcomparison purposes, Andrew (R) and Tracy (L) recently modeled the newand old safety vests. The features and benefits of the prototype include:

Meets ANSI 107-1999 classification as a Class II Safety Garment, as required by OSHA by December 2006.

Fluorescent lime yellow background fabric with two-inch wide silver reflective trim provides increased visibility, day and night. The lime yellowdoesn’t blend in with our orange equipment and with reflective trim on the side panels, there is 360-degree visibility. The older model has reflective tape on the front and back panels only.

Lightweight solid polyester front panels provide durability while ANSI-approved mesh back provides enhanced breathability.

Side and front Velcro closures provide maximum adjustability, allowing one vest to fit all sizes.

Front adjustable closure extends ten inches vertically to provide a secure fit. Side closures are wider—not only for a better fit, but more visibility with reflective tape. The older model only has black narrow nylon webbing straps connecting the front and back panels.

Full tear-away design provides maximum safety from snags and entanglement.

Made in the USA.

Upon completion of field testing and evaluation, the Purchasing Dept. will issue an announcement of its availability for company-wide use. Questions about this vest can be directed to the Purchasing Dept. (ext. 1355) or e-mail purchasing@asplundh.com.

New Vest Old Vest

9The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Jason Coccodrilli, former supervisor in Florida,was promoted to manager of Asplundh and Blumeoperations in parts of Arkansas, Tennessee andMississippi in April. The Coccodrilli Region issponsored by Vice President Matt Asplundh.

Born in Pennsylvania, Jason already had four yearsof tree service experience when he moved to Floridaand got his start with an Asplundh tree crew in

1995. After working as a foreman for two years, he advanced to generalforeman and then graduated in September 1998 from the ASTP course. Alittle over a year later, Jason was promoted to supervisor over Asplundhtransmission and special projects crews. As a manager, his responsibilitiesinclude overseeing vegetation management operations for various investor-owned, rural electric and municipal utilities in parts of Arkansas, Tennesseeand Mississippi. Jason is a member of the UAA, TCIA (formerly NAA) andis an ISA Certified Arborist.

Chris Shane, former construction supervisor forUtility Lines Construction Services, Inc. (ULCS)in Connecticut, was promoted to manager of theNortheast operations of ULCS in April. PresidentScott Asplundh sponsors the Shane Region.

Chris came to work for ULCS in April 2001 withover 11 years of experience in the electric utilityconstruction industry. He has worked as a lineman,

supervisor and safety director. Prior to joining ULCS, he served as managerof the National Electrical Contractors Association in Pennsylvania. Chrisreturned to his home state of Connecticut in 2001 to work for ULCS as asupervisor until June 2003 when he left to work for IBEW Local 42 as anassistant business manager. As a ULCS regional manager, he overseesoverhead and underground line construction for Northeast Utilities as wellas various other utilities in the New England area. In addition to takingbusiness courses, Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in safety engineeringfrom Kennedy-Western University in Washington.

Andrew Anthony, former general foreman, waspromoted in March to supervisor in the Louisianaportion of the Mike Smith Region. Vice PresidentMatt Asplundh sponsors the Smith Region.

An 18-year Asplundh veteran, Andrew joined thecompany in his home state of Louisiana in 1986.Advancing to foreman a little over a year later, heworked as a foreman and assistant general foreman

until 1994 when he was promoted to a full general foreman. Andrew is a1998 graduate of ASTP and as a supervisor, he is responsible for overseeingAsplundh crews on the properties of Entergy Transmission Southern,CLECO and various cooperative accounts in southern Louisiana. Andrewholds a herbicide application license and a utility arborist license for thestate of Louisiana.

Gil Warren joined Asplundh’s Home Office inApril as manager of the Customer & Field LiaisonDepartment, replacing Al Jerdan who retired onApril 2. He reports to the Manager of CorporateAdministration Jim Hines.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Gil brings toAsplundh more than 20 years of experience inbusiness administration. Most recently he served

as vice president and chief operating officer of a company in Delaware,but he also has ‘hands-on’ experience in financial analysis, humanresources, account management and strategic planning. Gil uses all ofthese skills to manage one of Asplundh’s largest departments, one that isresponsible for the timely handling of vital billing and organizationalinformation. A graduate of Houghton College in New York, Gil earnedan MBA from Rider University in New Jersey.

David Craddock, former general foreman in Florida under Vice President Eugene Wyatt,advanced to supervisor in April. Vice PresidentMatt Asplundh sponsors the Wyatt Region.

Born in West Virginia, David joined an Asplundhcrew in Florida as a foreman in 1994 with sevenyears of prior line clearance and training coordinatorexperience in the state. He was promoted to general

foreman in November 2000 and is a March 2003 graduate of ASTP.David’s responsibilities as a supervisor include overseeing Asplundh tree crews working on the property of Florida Power & Light Co. in theEast Area. A qualified CPR/First Aid Instructor, David is also an ISACertified Arborist.

Lee Ellis, who came to work for our subsidiaryUtility Lines Construction Services, Inc. (ULCS)in Michigan in July 2003, advanced to manager ofthe operation in June. President Scott Asplundhsponsors the Ellis Region of ULCS.

A Michigan native, Lee brings to ULCS morethan 40 years of experience in electric line construction, operations and project management.

He also earned a bachelor’s degree in 1972 from Wayne State Universityin Detroit, Michigan. His primary responsibility consists of overseeing themaintenance and repair of the International Transmission Company’s (ITC)2,500 circuit miles of underground and overhead transmission lines insoutheastern Michigan. ITC is the nation’s first fully independent, for-profit electric transmission business. Lee is a member of the Engineering Society of Detroit.

New Managers in the Field, ULCS and Home OfficeManagement Update

New Asplundh Supervisors in the Field

10The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

David Hawley, former safety training and compliance officer in Florida, was promoted tocompliance supervisor under Vice PresidentEugene Wyatt in June. The Wyatt Region is sponsored by Vice President Matt Asplundh.

Born and raised in Florida, David joined our subsidiary Farrens Tree Surgeons in 1996 as aclimber/trimmer trainee. He came aboard with

four years of forestry experience and had served three years with the U.S.Marine Corps. In 2000, David advanced to general foreman, working forAsplundh. Two years later, he became a superintendent and then last year, hetook on a new role as a safety training and compliance officer in what isnow the Eugene Wyatt Region. As the region’s new compliance supervisor,David is responsible for overseeing any OSHA, EEOC or Workers’ Compensation claims, as well as training for Work Zone Safety, DecisionDriving and First Aid/CPR. A May 2003 graduate of ASTP, he is also anISA Certified Arborist.

Clifford Randolph, former general foreman inOhio, advanced to supervisor in February, buttransferred in March to be a supervisor in Virginiaunder Vice President Larry Kirk. The Kirk Regionis sponsored by Vice President Brent Asplundh.

A 20-year Asplundh veteran, Clifford got his startwith the company in his home state of Ohio in1984. Working as groundman, trimmer and

foreman, he was promoted in 1994 to general foreman and three yearslater, he attended and graduated from ASTP. Clifford continued toimprove himself by becoming an ISA Certified Arborist in 1997. In February of this year, he was promoted to supervisor under Vice PresidentDave Sachs and was ready to move to his assignment in Indiana when anopportunity arose to be a supervisor in the Larry Kirk Region and he tookit. In his new position as a supervisor, Clifford is responsible for overseeingtree and spray crews working on the property of AEP in parts of Virginia,West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. He is a First Aid/CPR instructorand holds pesticide licenses for all the states he oversees plus Ohio.

Donald Redden, former general foreman in Indiana, was promoted in January to supervisorunder Manager Jeff Duncan. The Duncan Regionis sponsored by Vice President Steven Asplundh.

Born Louisiana, Donald first came to work forAsplundh in 1990 as a foreman with two years ofprior line clearance experience. He left to work forother line clearance contractors twice before

returning to Asplundh as a general foreman in February 2001 when thecompany acquired the utility operations of the Bartlett Tree Expert Company. Donald transferred from Louisiana to Indiana in 2003 to workin the Dave Sachs Region. His promotion to supervisor keeps him in Indiana and Ohio although he now works under Manager Jeff Duncan.Donald is responsible for overseeing Asplundh tree, mowing and spraycrews working on the properties of various investor-owned, municipaland cooperative utilities. He is a May 2001 graduate of ASTP.

Sam Patchett, former general foreman on theDelmarva Peninsula, advanced to supervisor under Vice President Steve Miller in April. TheMiller Region is sponsored by Vice PresidentGregg Asplundh.

Sam first came to work for Asplundh on a mowingcrew in his home state of Maryland in 1980. Hesoon advanced to foreman, but decided to leave

the company in 1986 to start his own tree service. Fourteen years later,Sam returned to Asplundh as a pre-planner and general foreman. Now, asa supervisor, he is responsible for overseeing tree and spray crews workingon the property of various investor-owned, municipal and cooperativeaccounts in parts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. A June 2001ASTP graduate, Sam is a Maryland Licensed Tree Expert and HerbicideApplicator, as well as an ISA Certified Arborist.

Orlando Quiroga, former general foreman forAsplundh’s Outsourcing Region, was promoted inApril to supervisor under Vice President MartinArriola in Texas and Louisiana. Vice PresidentMatt Asplundh sponsors the Arriola Region.

A native of Texas, Orlando joined an Asplundhtree crew in 1992. Over the next five years, heclimbed the ranks and then left the company for

about a year. With his return in 1998, Orlando advanced to general foreman. He began to travel a great deal to oversee Asplundh outsourcingcrews working for various utilities in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.With his new position as supervisor, Orlando can settle down a little as heis responsible for overseeing Asplundh vegetation management crewsworking on the property of Entergy in Louisiana. He graduated fromASTP in October 2001 and is currently preparing to take the ISA Certified Arborist exam. He holds a Louisiana utility arborist license.

Willie Richards, former general foreman in theHawaiian Islands, advanced to supervisor underManager Danny Rampani in July. Vice PresidentMatt Asplundh sponsors the Rampani Region.

A 22-year Asplundh veteran, Willie joined anAsplundh crew in Maryland in 1982. He workedas a foreman over spray, right-of-way and liftcrews in the Baltimore area until 1989 when he

advanced to general foreman and transferred to the U.S. Virgin Islands tooversee our fledgling operations there. In 1994, Willie was transferred toanother new island operation—Hawaii. His supervisory responsibilitiesnow include overseeing Asplundh vegetation management crews workingon the property of various utilities, municipalities and resorts on theisland of Maui. A 1994 graduate of ASTP, Willie is an ISA CertifiedArborist and member of the ISA. He served in the U.S. Marine Corpsactive duty and USMC Reserves for several years.

New Asplundh Supervisors in the Field continued

rchidsLetters and telephone calls were received complimenting the following foremenand their crews working on the property of the utility or organization listedbelow the employees’ names. This listing covers all “Orchids” that were received in the Corporate Communications Dept. between March 9, 2004 and June 28, 2004. For their outstanding job performance or special volunteerefforts, we say . . .

Thank you and congratulations!

OALABAMA

Larry Attaway and Trimmer/Climbers Donnie Beachboard andScott Hunderman,Alabama Power Co.

Utility Lines Construction ServicesGeneral Foreman Chris Burdette,Foreman Lee Epperson, EquipmentOperator Frank Fowler and CrewMember Lecil Burleson,Alabama Power Co.

General Foreman Don Hogan, Foremen Harold McKee and RobertReaves and Trimmer/ClimberDemetrius Marsh,Alabama Power Co.

Utility Lines Construction ServicesGeneral Foreman Terry Johnson,Foreman Michael Berry and Crew,Alabama Power Co.

Superintendent Greg Whitley, General Foreman Jimmie McCarterand Foreman Ken Brooks,Alabama Power Co.

ALBERTAGeneral Foreman Darryl Bruce,Foreman Quentin MacDonald and Groundmen Baisil Campbell,Steve Russell, Mike Saunders, Bob Vantassel and Wayne Walsh,Alberta Community Services and Development, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

ARIZONAAlfredo Nunez and JourneymanAlvaro Castaneda,Salt River Project

General Foreman Vern Renninger,Foremen Aaron Levario and DustinMartin and Trimmer/ClimbersTravis Beiriger, Jared Hooper, JoeSimpson and Ken Wood,Arizona Public Service

General Foreman Vern Renninger,Foreman Gabe Likoudis and Crews,Arizona Public Service

CALIFORNIAUtility Tree Service Foreman VictorArteaga and Crew,Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

George Payne and JourneymenChanthavy Chanthpaseuth and Ken Holsworth,Sacramento Municipal Utility District

COLORADOMark Nave and Journeyman David Klachko,Xcel Energy

Scheduler Joe Velarde, ForemanMark Nave and JourneymanDavid Klachko,Xcel Energy

CONNECTICUTJon Ricard and Crew Member David Therberge,Connecticut Light & Power

FLORIDACoordinator Tim Bragg, ForemanSteve Gipson and Trimmer Ricky Allen,Gulf Power Co.

General Foreman Timothy Clark,Foremen Emmanuel Casseus andAndres Maldonado and Crews,Florida Power & Light Co.

Supervisor Kevin Dove, for his continued support of the PensacolaJunior College 16th Annual LumberjackFestival & Forestry Conclave,Gulf Power Co.

Permissions Person Michael Eason,Foremen Rowdy Henley and TonyIsais, Journeymen Ronnie Hill, ScottJakubczak II and Herbert Robertson,Crew Members James Derek Connelland Christopher Mosley and Apprentices William Anderson II,Clinton Norton and Richard Sonner,Jacksonville Electric Authority

General Foreman Gene Hayden andCrews, for making a special effort toprioritize a large number of work orders,Florida Power & Light Co.

Central Locating Service LocatorDavid Hodge,Progress Energy

Supervisors Frank Lambert and KimNicholson, Foreman Jason Ward,Journeyman Ben Harrell and CrewMember Glen Byrum, for helping tosupport the ISA Florida Chapter 2004Tree Climbing Championship,City of Tallahassee

Arthur Smith, Trimmer/ClimberDesmon Winkfield and Crew Member DaWayne Edwards, forspeaking to the students of Holy RosarySchool about the importance of treesduring the school’s Earth Day/ArborDay celebration in April,Jacksonville Electric Authority

GEORGIAUtility Lines Construction ServicesForeman Robert Brown, for comingto the rescue of an automobile accidentvictim trapped in a burning car,Georgia Power Co.

ILLINOISSupervisors Larry Gauger and JeffNess, General Foremen Rick Dolgnerand Jude Solis, Foremen RandyHooper and Robert Kuter and Journeyman Joe Morganfield,Exelon

General Foremen Rick Heller andHerb Zinzer, Foremen Matt Sadowskiand Journeyman Jerel Stiles, for presenting a chipper and chain sawsafety training program to public works

From a letter to Utility Lines Construction Services (ULCS) GeneralForeman Chris Burdette, regarding one of his crews working forAlabama Power Co. in the Jim Marsh Region:

On Thursday, 13 May, one of your crews, headed by Lee Epperson,installed underground electrical service at my new home in Dadeville.Rain was forecast and threatened most of the morning. Mr. Eppersonand his crew of Frank Fowler and Lecil Burleson were not deterred.They proceeded with the installation efficiently and effectively. I wasparticularly impressed with their customer-oriented attitude. ... Notonly were they all professional, but each one of them was kind, courteous, and a genuine pleasure to work with. ULCS is fortunateto have people of this caliber in their employ.

Ron Pierce

From an e-mail to the Home Office in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania,concerning a crew from the Will Willis Region who were working onthe property of Xcel Energy in Grand Junction, Colorado:

... I am writing to express my appreciation for the professional mannerthat [Scheduler] Joe Velarde, Foreman Mark Nave and [Journeyman]Dave Klachko have demonstrated in the trimming of my maple tree.... Your employees respected my feelings and trimmed my tree in amanner that will ensure the tree continues to thrive and provide muchappreciated shade in the Grand Valley. Your employees deserve to beacknowledged for their excellent work in maintaining the safety ofpower delivery and of the homeowner’s investment in their trees.

Connie M. Cass

11The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

employees of the Southwest Conferenceof Mayors,ComEd

INDIANAAsplundh Brush Control GeneralForeman Randy Beemer,Cinergy

General Foreman Ray Felt and Crew,City of Huntingburg

Jerry Ford and Trimmer/ClimberBrian Rife,NIPSCO

Jerry Looney and Crew,NIPSCO

Supervisor Carl Marcum, GeneralForeman Darrin Wilson, ForemanRodney McDowell and GroundmanRobert Galbreath,City of Fort Wayne

General Foreman Dave Ouzts, Foremen Steve Jackson, John Spicherand Mike Spicher and Crews,AEP

General Foreman Richard Penrod,Foremen Blaine Cornett and JeffMorgan and Crews,Dayton Power & Light Co.

KANSASGeneral Foreman Mike Edgecomband Crews,Westar Energy

General Foremen Anthony Herreraand Paul Snethen, Foremen ChrisClark, Jason Ross, Marlowe Slavensand Zane Stauffer and JourneymenDerek Bolden and Jim Merrill, forvolunteering to plant trees at the KansasCity Power & Light Linemen’s Memorialto commemorate Arbor Day,Kansas City Power & Light Co.

KENTUCKYClifford Elliott and GroundmanWilliam Bechard,Kentucky Utilities Co.

LOUISIANAGeneral Foreman Gordon Anthony,Foreman Edward Hunter and Journeyman Rowdy Gehegan,Central Louisiana Electric Co.

MARYLANDPermission Specialist William Bonilla,Foreman Jose Escobar, Journeyman

Jose Ferrufino and Equipment Operator Jose Orellana, Potomac Electric Power Co.

Dave Felix and Trimmer/ClimbersHolly Fink and Jennifer Myers,Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.

MICHIGANPlanner Gary Carman, for saving atoddler who ran into traffic, and forhelping the Giles family find their missing dog,Tri-County Electric Cooperative(two letters were received)

Superintendent Scott Miret andCrews, for their ongoing contributionsto research on the Emerald Ash Borer,Michigan State Univ. Dept. of Entomology

General Foreman Mark Pitt andEquipment Operator John Nieto,Michigan Department of Agriculture

Asplundh Brush Control GeneralForeman Ed Swenski and Crew,for their professionalism and skill whileworking on the Emerald Ash BorerResponse Project this past spring in St. Clair County,Michigan Department of Agriculture

MINNESOTAScott Benz and Vadim Freidis and Crews,Xcel Energy

Erik Christensen, Clint Merritt andDoug Olsen and Trimmer/ClimberBen Skalicky,Connexus Energy

Erik Christensen, Doug Olsen andShawn Sutherland and Crew MembersMike Jacobson and Brian Sandager,Connexus Energy

Bill Evenson and Journeyman Craig Jones,Xcel Energy

Fred Lemkau, Jr. and JourneymanChuck Gill,Xcel Energy

General Foreman Randy Lother,Foremen Mike Cardell and TonyIverson, Trimmer/Climber RobSchneider, Journeymen Paul Hillebrandt and Jason Young andCrew Member Kory Kruger,Rochester Public Utilities

Lee Peterson and Journeyman Humberto Romero,Xcel Energy

Brush Loader Tom Robertson,Xcel Energy

Mike Schedivy and JourneymanScott Urbanek,Xcel Energy

General Foreman Mark Schneiderand Foremen Jay Dostel and Kirby Holler,Lake Region Electric Association

David Vannatta and JourneymanAndre Schmidt,Xcel Energy

MASSACHUSETTSGeneral Foreman Ken Miron and Crews,National Grid

MISSISSIPPIDennis Saulters,Entergy

MISSOURIGeneral Foreman Kyle Baur, ForemanRicky Garrett and Crews,Kansas City Power & Light Co.

Curtis Carrier, Todd Conger andRicky Garrett and Crews, for donatingand delivering three loads of woodchips for walking trails created behindLakeview Middle School for MathewMcWilliams’ Eagle Scout Project,Kansas City Power & Light Co.

General Foreman Stephen Ford andApprentice Michael Gordon,Southwest Electric Cooperative

Apprentice Mark Perisho,Kansas City Power & Light Co.

MONTANAGeneral Foreman Scott Nelson and Foremen Arden Butt and Ryan Nelson,Ravalli County Electric Cooperative

General Foreman Scott Nelson, Foreman Jon-Paul Paulsen andTrimmer/Climber Travis Bottcher,Northwestern Energy

NEW HAMPSHIREGeneral Foreman Steve Kenyon, Permissions Person Jake Trudelle andGroundman Jason Hutchins, for participating in Keene High School’sArborfest event this past spring,Public Service Co. of New Hampshire

From a letter to Asplundh Brush Control Supervisor Jean Labrieof the Mike Gordon Region regarding General Foreman RandyBeemer’s work in Indiana for Cinergy:

I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how much I appreciatethe extra effort put forth by Randy Beemer this week. Randy assistedCarol Ford, manager of the Avon Nature Center, [to determine]the source of a “spill” that ended up on the property. ... A yellowishoily pile of foreign matter ended up at the edge of the nature center’spond. This occurred shortly after Asplundh sprayed Cinergy’s[nearby] right-of-way. After several conversations and a few tripsback and forth between Avon and Lebanon, Randy helped toresolve this situation. Flow from the neighboring property’s stormdrain carried this matter into the creek leading to the pond. ...Randy went above and beyond the call of duty in order to assist inthis matter, and this is greatly appreciated.

Thomas K. Ordway, Forester

From an e-mail to Ravalli County Electric Cooperative regardingGeneral Foreman Scott Nelson, Foreman Arden Butt and TrimmerRyan Nelson of the Mick Kavran Region in Montana:

Just wanted to let you know what a cooperative and professionalstaff you have. ... Safety is obviously a big concern of your outfit, andmy family sure appreciates your making our lives a little safer, too.

Debi Ferris

12The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Charlie Kushnir and GroundmanMarc Krajewski,Public Service Co. of New Hampshire

NEW JERSEYLenny Cogdill and Trimmer/ClimberTed Guenther,Conectiv

NEW YORKJim Deegan and Crew,Keyspan Energy

David Frenette and Trimmer/Climber Elvis Fabre,Rochester Gas & Electric Co.

Supervisor Bob Giordano, General Foreman William Costelloand Crews,ConEdison

OHIOSupervisor Mike Carrier, GeneralForeman Don Blumenstock, ForemenDan Findley and Jack Sebek andApprentice Eric Sexstella,FirstEnergy/The Illuminating Co.

Jessie Cochran and Trimmer/Climber Danny McCloud,AEP

General Foreman Jeff Fizer, Foreman Chuck Welsh and Crews,AEP

Supervisor Bob Jernigan, GeneralForeman Les Parsons, ForemenChris Mick, Dan Mick and TomWestfall, Trimmer/Climbers BraddCole and Bob Saunders and CrewMember Andy Rupert,City of Hudson(two letters were received)

General Foreman Dave Ledington,Foreman Dave Grube and Trimmer/Climber Terry Reynolds,Dayton Power & Light Co.

Ralph Smith and Ed Williamson,Journeyman Jason Hilliker, Groundman Ben Burns and Apprentice Mike Polomsky,Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative

General Foreman John Wolfe, for supporting the City of Cuyahoga Falls2004 Arbor Day program,City of Cuyahoga Falls

OKLAHOMASteve Blocker and Larry Lewis,Trimmer/Climber Justin Gates and

Groundman Billy Higgins,Ponca City Energy

General Foreman Roger Franklin,Foreman Earnest McDonald and Crews,Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co.

General Foreman Dwayne Neville,Foreman Sherman Jackson andTrimmers/Climbers Ricky Brown,Mike Scott and Danny Storts,AEP

General Foreman Kelley Watson,Foreman Jeff Osburn and Crews,Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co.

OREGONUtility Tree Service Foreman JimmyJohnson and Crew,Consumers Power Inc.

Tony Keller and Chris Romeo,Portland General Electric Co.

PENNSYLVANIAChris Calby and Journeyman Corwin Brace,Claverock REC

Supervisor Mike Carrier, GeneralForeman Dan Stubbs, Foremen Ron Dehart and Chris Jordan, Journeymen Steve Allen, Dan Craig

and Andy Hutsler and GroundmanBrett Ryhal,FirstEnergy

Gerry Hess and Crew,FirstEnergy/Met-Ed

General Foreman Ron Kasisky, Foremen Roger Balliet, Joe Kasisky,Joe Kasisky II, Robert Oliver, Dennis Smith and Chris Swartwood, Journeymen Jose Amaya, LaneGolla, Jason Myers and EdwardWhitlock, Groundman David Boothand Apprentices Kenneth Fulk, Keith Goosman, George Hetro,Alfred Nevarez and Herbert Smith,FirstEnergy/Met-Ed

General Foreman James Kulp, Foremen Gerry Hess and Randy

Stout, Trimmer/Climbers PaulCokosky and Chad Fenstermacherand Apprentices William Lavertyand Ben Stolarik,FirstEnergy/Met-Ed

General Foreman John Lacy, Jr.,Permissions Person John Rouleau,Foremen David DeWalt, KeithDibler, Robert Gaston, Jr., BrianKreisler, William Lucas, DionisioRivera, Mike Steif, Gary Walls and

Derek Yerger, Trimmer/ClimbersMichael Baer, Christopher Gastonand Richard Newcomer, Jr. andJourneymen Victor Ayala, KennethCrabb, Alexander Cruz, Juan Cruz,Jack Dibler, Steve Eddy, Jr., JasonReadinger, Timothy Reber and Timothy Trinkley,Pennsylvania Power & Light Co.

General Foreman Rudy Lunger,Foreman Steve McQuown and Journeyman Terry Kennedy,FirstEnergy/Penelec

Supervisor Harold Rinehimer, General Foremen Ron Kasisky, GregKulp, James Kulp and Tom McKinney,Foremen Larry Beegle and DaveIrwin, Trimmer/Climber JeremyKennedy, Journeyman Matt Beegleand Groundman Mike Bickel, Jr.,FirstEnergy/Met-Ed

SOUTH CAROLINADonald Ellason and Dennis West,Trimmer/Climbers David Morgan,Jr. and Joey West, Journeymen BillyEllason, John Ellason and TerryWoodward and Groundmen TravisFelmont and Michael Williams,Duke Energy

TENNESSEEGeneral Foreman Frank Duncan,Foreman Tim Prock and JourneymenJohn Burkett and Tony Walden,Athens Utility Board

TEXASGeneral Foreman Jose Garcia, Foremen Raul Gomez and WilliamRivera and Journeymen Jose Alvarado, Alfredo Andrade andTomas Escobar,CenterPoint Energy

Bernardo Nino and Crew,City Public Service Board of San Antonio

Leno Olivares and David Rodriguezand Crews,City Public Service Board of San Antonio

Supervisor Jeff Vining, General Foreman Jose Garcia and JourneymenMartin Figueroa and Jose Rubio,CenterPoint Energy

VIRGINIASupervisor Robbie Adkins, for presenting a talk on safety,City of Salem Electric Department

From a letter to Portland General Electric (PGE) Forester LarryRitmiller, concerning a crew from the George Meyer Region in Oregon:

I wish to thank you for coming to my home and discussing withme, as you have for several years, the trimming of the magnolia treein our front yard that grows into the power lines. ... To my surpriseand delight, the same crew showed up and announced they wouldbe doing the job as they had done two years ago. ... I had no fur-ther concern about the quality of the trimming and the clean-up ofall the debris. Chris Romeo, in my estimation, is an exemplaryarborist. His partner, Tony Keller, does his job with a great attitude.... This crew is to be commended for their excellent work and PGEcan be thanked for contracting this caliber of workmen.

John G. McKinley

From a letter to Manager Barry Suddreth’s office in Charlotte,North Carolina, regarding Foremen Donald Ellason and DennisWest and their crews in Roebuck, South Carolina:

I just wanted to tell you what a wonderful crew you have workingfor you. There was a huge oak tree close to a large tower. ... Thesupervisor from Duke Energy said this was a hazardous tree and itshould be taken down. On March 29, your men came and cut downthe tree. They worked awfully hard and took only a short lunchbreak. ... You are fortunate to have such a wonderful tree crew.

Paul Pritchard

13The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

General Foremen William Ailstockand Daniel Kidd, Foreman GregDavis and Trimmer/Climber ClaudeDunn, for volunteering their time tohang two banners for the GreenvaleSchool’s Virginia State ChampionshipChili Cook Off fundraiser,AEP

Julio Benavides and Crew,Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative

Robert Judson and Crew,AEP

Shane Newcomb, for doing an outstanding job of daily maintainenceand proper operation of his equipment,Dominion Virginia Power

WASHINGTONJohn Dibble, Journeyman Wes Brownand Apprentice Martin Watson,Clatskanie PUD

Supervisor Don Milbourn, ForemanLarry Auld, Rick Milbourn, MaxReynvaan and Lloyd Wade,

Journeyman Criss Harding and PaulPickett, Flagger Dan Graville andEquipment Operator John Milbourn,Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad Co.

Rick Milbourn and Trimmer/Climber Rick Michaels,PUD #1 of Clallam County

General Foreman MichaelRoosendaal and Permissions PersonTripp Good, for volunteering theirtime to help a local group with a trailclearing project,City of Enumclaw

WEST VIRGINIAJoe Ferris, Groundman Danny Turley and Apprentice Steve Burton,AEP

General Foreman Dorsal Holland,Foreman Billy McCoy, Trimmer/Climbers Malcolm Chaney andSammy Mosley and GroundmanGary Adkins,AEP(two letters were received)

Billy McCoy and Trimmer/ClimberSammy Mosley,AEP

General Foreman Darryl Roy, Permissions Person Gary Hedrickand Crew Member Steve Ball, forvolunteering their time to clean up theplayground and parking lot at the GreenBank Elementary/Middle School after a heavy ice storm this past winter,Allegheny Power Systems

WISCONSINJeff Thieme and Journeyman Jason Cawley,WE Energies

Butch Warner and Journeyman Jim Struble,Kaukauna Utilities

STORM WORKJose Diaz DeLeon, Luis Garcia andGabriel Marin, Trimmer/ClimberAusencio Ramirez, JourneymanJorge Bernadac Gurr, Groundmen

Ulisses Fuentes and Jorge Martinezand Apprentices Sergio Mireles,Guadalupe Ortiz and Nieves Padilla,for working through thunder, lightning,rain and hail during the middle of thenight to remove downed trees frompower lines in the Oaklawn area onMay 12,Westar Energy (KS)

Joe Davila and Brandon Hernandezand Crews, for their professionalism,courtesy and care while removingbranches downed by a heavy stormfrom around a prized flower garden in Irving,TXU Electric Delivery (TX)

Permissions Person Tony Dalsveen,for taking a proactive stance by contactinghis customers after a severe storm onApril 18 and making sure they had allof his contact information, just in caseAsplundh’s storm emergency serviceswere needed,Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative (WI)

From a letter to Kaukauna Utilities in Wisconsin about work performed by Foreman Butch Warner and Journeyman JimStruble of the Joe Schneider Region for St. John Cemetery Association in Little Chute:

I am sending this note to you on behalf of myself and the entireCemetery Committee to thank you for the excellent cooperationregarding the removal of the three large trees along Main St. on thecemetery property. ... We have already received positive commentsfrom passerbys and St. John parishioners. ... We know the utilitywent the extra distance for us with the removals, and we wantedall involved to know it is most appreciated. ... I want to mentionthe great attitude and professional manner of the two gentlemenfrom [Asplundh Tree Expert Co.]. Butch was so helpful in cuttingthe limbs to manageable sizes, and worked with our village crewto coordinate the chipping of the brush. He and his helper wereprompt and very helpful, and I hope you can pass our complimentsand thanks to them as well. They did a wonderful job.

Jerry Berghuis, Secretary/Treasurer

From a letter to the Home Office concerning storm work done bycrews from the Tom Leverentz Region for TXU Electric Delivery:

During a June 1 storm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, a large limband many smaller branches fell from the top of my huge tree inthe backyard onto the power lines. After waiting 11 days, thecrews of Joe Davila and Brandon Hernandez were working in my neighborhood at 6:30 p.m. on a Saturday night. ... Every single mangreeted me with a smile on his face as if my tree were the first one he’dcut that day. ... Your crews took great care not to damage any flowersas they worked around them. I commend Joe, Brandon and theircrews for their thoughtfulness and consideration.

Carolyn Lane

UMS EmployeeReturns Safely From Iraq—Meter Reader ClintonBranch (L) received awarm welcome from his fellow Utility Meter Services employees whenhe returned home this Aprilfrom a tour of duty in Iraq.Clinton, a Sgt. E-5 in theU.S. Army Reserve, wasstationed at Camp TallilAir Base and throughoutIraq for 14 months as partof Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Now that he’s back on home soil, Clinton reads meters for AlabamaPower Co. in Alexander City. We wish a warm welcome home to Clintonand a safe return to all of our employees who are serving their country.

UTS Crews Meet REU Challenge—Utility Tree Service Permissions Person

Jeremiah Sparacio, Foremen LarryFowler and Chris Henson, Trimmer

Kenny Garrison and Flagger Tom Sparksfrom the Pete Sparacio Region removedfour foothill pine trees in the beginningof May for Redding Electric Utility (REU)

in California. Each tree was over 95feet tall, and all were endangering

REU 12kV lines. The work was mademore complicated due to its location—right next to private property! The UTS

crews were up to the challenge, andwere not only able to remove the trees

without any property damage, but alsocompleted the work ahead of schedule.

14The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Service AnniversariesJanuary - June

1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979 and 1984

45 Years 35 Years

Gary CuppPermissions Person

Pennsylvania

Charles JonesForeman

North Carolina

John Cook, Jr.Foreman

South Carolina

Jerry DubeGeneral Foreman

Asplundh Brush Control Co.Missouri

Greg CookSupervisor

Florida

John DavidheiserPermissions Person

Pennsylvania

Wayne GraulGeneral Foreman

Wisconsin

Roger ZurcherGeneral Foreman

Indiana

Michael BoxxGeneral ForemanRailroad Division

Mississippi

30 Years

40 Years

George ErvinGeneral Foreman

Delaware

Ken CunninghamPermissions Person

Connecticut

Debby ConigliaroAssistant to VP

Railroad DivisionWillow Grove

James BassForemanAlabama

Dave PuckettVice President

Maryland

Talmage HaleForemanMaryland

Turner GrantGeneral ForemanNorth Carolina

Lionel RoyGeneral Foreman

Asplundh Brush Control Co.Oklahoma

15The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Michael SheridanGeneral Foreman

Pennsylvania

Pascual HuizarForemanCalifornia

John VandusenForeman

New York

James LeeForeman

North Carolina

20 Years

25 Years

George BaisdenForemanKentucky

Jeffrey FranzeneForemanMichigan

Dennis FosbennerPermissions Person

Pennsylvania

Gary CoanForemanAlabama

Bruce Eldridge, Jr.ForemanKentucky

John ChristopherGeneral Foreman

Maine

Thomas HonnettForemanFlorida

James LawForeman

New York

Horace GarrenForemanGeorgia

Jimmy ClecklerForemanAlabama

Wayne BaileyGeneral Foreman

Minnesota

Roseanne SeifertAdmin.–Title & Reg.

EquipmentWillow Grove

Terry WolskeGeneral Foreman

Minnesota

Thomas LacyGeneral Foreman

Ohio

Tim FlansburgForeman

Minnesota

Stephen JenningsForeman

North Carolina

Robert SchlechtJourneymanWisconsin

Jesse BlakerGeneral Foreman

Pennsylvania

Bobbie CahooneTechnician

Customer & Field LiaisonWillow Grove

Raymond KelleyGeneral Foreman

KentuckyPatty Permar

Administrative AssistantUtility Pole Technologies, Inc.

Willow GroveLarry ReitzJourneymanWisconsin

George LeszkowiczVice President

Connecticut

Ron DickinsonForeman

Pennsylvania

Jeff DuncanManagerIndiana

Harvey LearGeneral Foreman

Kentucky

Walter WrightForeman

New Hampshire

Earl WhittakerPermissions Person

Kentucky

Arthur Sandt, Jr.Permissions Person

Connecticut

Elijah GwinnPermissions Person

Kentucky

James MoenForeman

Minnesota

John CombsPermissions Person

Kentucky

Charles ElliottGeneral Foreman

Kentucky

Orbie GrigsbyTrimmer/Climber

Kentucky

Robert BunnerForeman

West Virginia

Gene LentzGeneral Foreman

Maryland

John AshbyForeman

Railroad DivisionTennessee

Richard BasslerForeman

Pennsylvania

Benny KingForemanKentucky

Ken MillerGeneral Foreman

Kentucky

Noel MinternForeman

Ohio

Timothy HaymanGeneral Foreman

Alabama

Thomas DurhamForemanKentucky

Jeffry BottlesForemanMichigan

Willie DallasForemanAlabama

Wiliam LeonardJourneymanPennsylvania

Ricky WestGeneral ForemanNorth Carolina

Billy AllenForemanKentucky

Joe DavisForemanAlabama

Gary KilishekForeman

Wisconsin

Barry CrokeGeneral Foreman

Massachusetts

Jeff PetroskieGeneral Foreman

Washington

Ronald FortmannForemanMissouri

Cesar CastilloJourneymanMinnesota

Dean EllefsonForeman

Minnesota

Remo MaddalozzoVice President

Asplundh Canada, Inc.British Columbia, Canada

Greg BennettSupervisor

Financial AccountingWillow Grove

Freddy MillerForemanKentucky

Ed PenningtonGeneral Foreman

Kentucky

Jim PecoraroGeneral Foreman

Missouri

Brown NeaceForemanKentucky

Juan RodriguezForemanCalifornia

Floyd SpitlerGeneral Foreman

Oklahoma

Charles PiperForemanMissouri

Roger SatterfieldGeneral Foreman

West Virginia

Thomas RasmussonForeman

Wisconsin

Walter WalczakForeman

Minnesota

Graham ParsonsJourneymanKentucky

Clifford RandolphSupervisorVirginia

Jeff StrombergForemanMichigan

Brent RussellForeman

New Jersey

Bobbie ValentinoOperator

Input OperationsWillow Grove

James RhodesGeneral Foreman

FloridaJimmy Tackett

JourneymanKentucky

Harlan WilliamsForemanKentucky

Warren YatesJourneymanKentucky

Danny RosePermissions Person

Kentucky

Michael ParsonsForemanKentucky

Phillip NewlandForeman

Ohio

Sam TiptonGeneral Foreman

Kansas

Alex TolzdaForeman

Wisconsin

Cloyd VarnerForeman

Pennsylvania

16The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Lenny Lee (secondfrom L) and JoannieStewart (second fromR) proudly displayed

the specially-engravedwatches given to themby Accounts Receivable

Manager Lisa Lamberton (L) andChief Information

Officer Eric Reibsane(R) to celebrate their

30th anniversarieswith the company.

Starting only a fewweeks apart, Lenny was hired in October 1973 as an accounts receivable

analyst in the old Jenkintown, Pennsylvania office. Over the years,Lenny has remained in the Accounts Receivable field, and his extensive

experience includes having worked as a supervisor and manager of theA/R Dept. in the old Jenkintown office and at the current Home Office,as well as an assistant controller for the former Asplundh ManufacturingDivision in Chalfont. For the past four years, Lenny has channeled hisexpertise into his current Senior Credit & Collections Specialist position.Joannie’s varied career track began in November 1973 as a personnel

secretary in the Equipment Dept. in Philmont. She transferred to theHome Office to become secretary to then Office Manager Rich Stefanowicz,

and was soon promoted to executive secretary to Paul Asplundh. In 1984,Joannie switched tracks, joining the Programming Dept. to handle help deskconcerns, software training and installation, and some programming. In1995, Joannie moved into programming full-time, maintaining databases,

and developing new systems as our administration’s needs change.

Mark Reitz(center) was

congratulatedby Vice

President JoeSchneider (R)

and SupervisorMark Fecteau

(L) for reachinga milestone of30 years with

Asplundh.Mark began

back in December 1973

as a foreman clearing lines for WEEnergies in southern Wisconsin, wherehe has remained his entire career! Markmust have inherited his dedication fromhis father, Aubert (bottom photo, R),who worked for the company for 43

years before retiring in 1993. Father andson recently got together to compare

their commemorative watches. Thestyle of their watches may have

changed, but the level of commitmentfrom the Reitz’s has remained the

same! Congratulations to all of ouremployees celebrating a special

milestone with the company!

Journeyman BillyMartin (R) receiveda handshake of gratitude from VicePresident DougGober (L) and acommemorativewatch to acknowledgehis 30th year withthe company. Dougpresented the watchto Billy at a tailgatemeeting last November, where hewas applauded by

his peers for this accomplishment. Billy began working for Asplundhon a crew in Maryland. In October 1973, he transferred to PECOEnergy property in the Del-Chester Region of Pennsylvania, where hehas remained ever since! Billy still climbs trees after all these years,and his skill with a sticksaw has earned him the nickname “SticksawWillie” from his co-workers.

General ForemanReid Yannacci (R)received a handshake of a gratitude and aspecially-engravedwatch from VicePresident DavePuckett (L) to commemorate 30years withAsplundh. Reidbegan in December1973, working onAllegheny Power

property throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. In fact, Reid hasspent almost his entire career working on this utility property, with the exception of a “brief” nine-year assignment to oversee crews onthe Duquesne Light system.

Supervisor of Overheads/Fixed Assets Steve DiBello (R) proudly presented Don Welby(L) last autumn with a specially-engraved watch marking his 30th anniversary with the

company. Don got his start back in November 1963 in the Personnel Dept. of the formerAsplundh Manufacturing Division in Chalfont, Pennsylvania. Don moved into the CostAccounting Dept. and remained there until the Manufacturing Division moved to North

Carolina in 1989. He then came to the Home Office, where he joined the EquipmentAccounting Dept., first as an Accounts Payable supervisor, then becoming involved with

equipment inventories. Don now works as a senior accountant in the Overheads/FixedAssets Dept., where he maintains the depreciation system for all of our trucks in the field —

about 30,000 units more or less!

30-Year WatchesCrews & News

17The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Asplundh One-Call Inc.Displays Technology atSafety Symposium—TheNational Utility ContractorsAssociation, in conjunctionwith the Underground SafetyInstitute, held its annual Expoand Underground SafetySymposium on February 17-19 in Orlando, Florida.Steve Rieben, Asplundh

One-Call (AOC) Vice President (L), Lisa Brewton, AOC Kentucky Center Manager (back R) and Mark Stokes, Manager of AOC SystemSupport and Software Development (seated), were on hand, showcasingthe latest enhancements to AOC’s GIS software and its newly updatedweb site (www.asplundhonecall.com) to potential customers.

Special Events

March ASTP Grads—The March graduates were (front row, L toR): Bruce Snapp, Virginia; Ronnie Lesh, Pennsylvania; Angel Garza,Florida; Fred Dowdy, Georgia; Andrew Lewis, Wisconsin; and MikeVillanueva, California. In the middle row were (L to R): Joe Sutton, Indiana; Jim Bentz, Jr., Ohio; Joe Ramirez, California; David Craddock,Florida; Jose Barrera, Texas; and Ronald Jamerson, Virginia. Standingin the back row were (L to R): Todd Martinchek, Connecticut; CharlesAndrews, Alabama; Ray Apking, Illinois; Ken Steinke, Minnesota;Robbie Thompson, Missouri; and Ron Jacobson, Florida.

Climbing Students Aim

Higher inAdvanced Class—George LeszkowiczRegion Operational

Training SupervisorJohn Terault, Jr.(second from R),

assisted by GeneralForeman Pete

Wicklund (thirdfrom L) and Lead

Crew ForemanDave Yarlott (thirdfrom R), held an advanced climbing school on Saturday, May 8. Afterpassing a basic climbing school, the participants of this class focused

on more challenging ascending and descending techniques using different types of equipment. At the end of the day, (from L)

Foremen James DeCarlo and Thomas Kempesta and Groundman Ken Nicholson (far R) had to successfully complete an aerial rescue

to receive their advanced certificates.

Employee Appreciation Dinner Hits the Spot—Employees in theDick Umbel Region of Utility Lines Construction Service worked manylong and difficult hours this past fall and winter to make repairs toBaltimore Gas & Electric (BG&E) power lines damaged by HurricaneIsabel, high winds and various winter storms. Manager Dick Umbel(kneeling, L), invited his employees and their spouses, along withBG&E Supervisor of Workload Management Sally Filling (not shown),and BG&E Utility Inspector Tom Canapp (kneeling, center), to anappreciation dinner on Valentine’s Day. Special recognition was givenat the event to Foreman Ken Thomas for helping turn an hourly pilotprogram into the routine maintenance program on BG&E property.

April ASTP Grads—The participants in April’s group were (backrow, L to R): Fred Collins, Jr., West Virginia; Wayne Manger, Florida;Mack Jones, Jr., North Carolina; Carlos Mosquera, Florida; and RogerJenkins, Virginia. In the middle row were (L to R): Leonard Bowyer,West Virginia; Eric Richter, Wisconsin; Richard Gordin, Texas; GeorgeRose, Oklahoma; and Jose Mariscal, California. In the front row were(L to R): Greg Gibson, Indiana; David Fulford, Jr., Colorado; Jeff Holder, Kentucky; Mike Burton, Alabama; and Charles Tynes, Louisiana.

May ASTP Grads—May’s graduating class included (front row, L to R): Jose Jordan, New York; Ruben Martinez, Florida; Tim McGowen,Texas; Daniel Rosales, Texas; Max Sanchez, Florida; Steve Iachetta,Florida; and Don Hogan, Alabama. Standing in the middle row were (L to R): Chris Fechuch, Ohio; Barry Croke, Massachusetts; RonaldFowler, South Carolina; Lee Jenkins, Alabama; Mike Leverett, Georgia;Jerry Kensinger, Texas; and Wade Chavis, North Carolina. In the backrow were (L to R): Mike Young, Pennsylvania; Anthony Parks, Sr., California; Scott Zerr, Pennsylvania; Mark Roll, Wisconsin; RickyVaughan, Virginia; and Dick McCumbee, Virginia.

Training Times

18The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

The Asplundh Supervisory Training Program is conducted under theguidance of Ryan Swier, Field Personnel Manager of Training andDevelopment. During the months of March, April and May 2004, 53 general foremen from 23 states journeyed to the Home Office in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania to take part in this unique program. Congratulations to the latest round of graduates!

Tyler, Texas—On April 16, Greg Homiller journeyed out west toteach proper lift inspection and safety practices to the Tom LeverentzRegion. Greg met with crews under General Foremen Michael Calvert,Michael Clark, William Cruson, Frank Fredregill, Thomas Fryer II,Charles Keadle, Chad McMillon, Antonio Morales, Riley O’Quinn,Angel Rosales and Tim Wright. All work on the utility property of TXU Electric Delivery.

Seattle, Washington—After a brief break, the “Dirt Buzzard” flewout to the West Coast for a stop in the Mick Kavran Region. On May21, Greg came to the Seattle, Washington yard to meet with GeneralForemen Mike Harrington and Ron Hynes, Foremen Don Carlson,Neil Deacy, Bob Herron, Dennis Kelleher and Ron Lockman and theircrews on the importance of careful lift inspection and equipment safety. These crews work for Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light,Chelan Public Utility and Benton County Public Utilities District.

Lift Schools

Orlando, Florida—The following day, Greg traveled farther south tothe American Lighting and Signalization (ALS) yard in Orlando, Florida.Hosted by ALS Manager Richard Calledare, crews from the nearbyJames Hardiman Region in northeastern Florida were also invited toattend Greg’s lift inspection class. These crews work for the FloridaDepartment of Transportation, Orange County Expressway Authority,and various county, city and private agencies and organizations.

Check out the latest places Equipment Training and InspectionSupervisor Greg “Dirt Buzzard” Homiller has traveled to. The folkspictured gave up a day off to not only increase their lift inspectionknowledge, but also to improve safety on each of their crews. And ifyou haven’t heard the good news, Greg tied the knot on July 17.Please join us in wishing Mr. and Mrs. “Dirt Buzzard” all the best!

Ormond Beach, Florida—Looking to escape the cold winter of theNorth, the “Dirt Buzzard” flew south to spend a weekend in sunnyFlorida. On April 1, Greg joined crews from the Eugene Wyatt Regionand Florida Power & Light (FP&L) Forester Dan Marsh in OrmondBeach to conduct his lift inspection seminar at their quarterly standown.Supervised by Greg Cook, Juan Ecshazabal, David Hawley and RockyRobinson, these crews work on the utility property of FP&L.

Olive Branch, Mississippi—Equipment Training and InspectionSupervisor Greg Homiller made a triumphant return to Olive Branch,Mississippi to present his course to employees in the Railroad andHighway Divisions at their annual meeting on February 5. It had beentwo years since his last visit. Vice President Tom Mayer, RailroadMechanical Services Managers Mike Heridia and Jim Welsh and theircrews work for Amtrak, CN Railroad, CSX, Indiana Railroad, UnionPacific, Long Island Railroad, Metro of Chicago, Metro North of NewYork, New Jersey Transit, SEPTA of Pennsylvania, and various DOTsacross the country.

Employees of theMonth—If you thinkthat friendly, courteousand caring service ishard to find thesedays, then look no further! The HomeOffice recently recognized these threeexceptional employeesfor providing outstanding support tothe field and their co-workers. They are(L to R): Carol Towleof Billing Input, who

won this award in April, Sue Butterwick of the Reception Area, whoreceived this honor in May, and Karen Brislin of Technical Services,who earned this distinction in June. Congratulations and keep up thegood work!

Home Office Honors

19The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Sportsmen’s Corner

The winner of the contest was JourneymanDenny Coleman of Millersburg, Pennsylvania,who also works on Pennsylvania Power &Light property in the Harrisburg area. Dennywas out hunting early in the buck season last autumnon Berry’s Mountain inDauphin County when hecame across this 10-pointtypical whitetail. The buckhad an 18.5" spread andweighed 194 lbs. Denny’svictory earned him a blackAsplundh duck jacket andbragging rights.

BlountRegion VolunteerSpeaks to Students—OnMay 12, Foreman EddieGerard (L) ofthe Gene BlountRegion andDetroit EdisonFacilitatorTerry Jacob(R) teamed upto talk abouttheir work tothe 7th graders

at Perry Middle School near Lansing, Michigan. Although Eddiegraduated from Perry High School several years ago, he was contactedby Ms. Bethany Kittleson, one of his former science teachers, who wantedto coordinate a career assembly for the 125-student 7th grade. The talkshave been such a success that for the past five years, Eddie and Terryhave returned, stressing the importance of staying in school and followingsafety and other work rules. Eddie and Terry also try to make the program hands-on, by allowing a “lucky” volunteer to try on all of Eddie’s gear.

Aubrey Osborne,a general foremanin the BryonSackville Region of Ontario, sent inthis photo of a verysuccessful huntingtrip he and hishunting buddiestook a few yearsago. Aubrey is holding the rack of the 10-point,225-lb. whitetailbuck he harvestedthat day in the PortLoring area with

his 30-30 Winchester hunting rifle. Even though the photo is a fewyears old, Aubrey wanted to share it to display the beauty and serenityof the Canadian wilderness where he loves to hunt. Aubrey overseescrews for Ottawa Hydro around the city of Ottawa.

Student Goes toWork in the Riley

Region—Last April,youngsters around the

country participatedin the “Take Your

Child to Work Day”program. Little

six-year-old RileyHarmon (R) joined hisfather, Scott, for a dayat Asplundh. Scott is asupervisor in the Mel

Riley Region, so Riley spent the morning meeting customers and learning about office work. By the afternoon, Riley couldn’t wait to

get out into the field to see a crew in action. He saw some of the equipment they use, how to tie knots, and learned about why it’s

important to prune around power lines and to never touch a powerline. Near the end of the day, Foreman Mike Baxter quizzed Riley on tree species. To his proud Papa’s surprise, Riley knew four of the five species. Looks like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree!

Foreman Heldt Hadanek of the Jeff Lynch Region won a flint-lockblack powder muzzle loader contest sponsored by his local huntingclub last year and won a trip to hunt buffalo in Douglas, Wyoming.Heldt traveled to Wyoming in January with his trusty black powdermuzzle loader, and donned his buckskins to get into the spirit of thehunt. Heldt should call them his “lucky” buckskins because he tookdown the 1,500-lb. buffalo above from 150 yards away! The avidhunter works on the property of Tri-County Electric Cooperative inand around central Michigan.

Last year, GeneralForeman Ed Ellis of theDom DeRosa Region in

Pennsylvania held a“big buck” contest for his crews in the

Harrisburg area.Clarance “Sonny”

Lannan of Jersey Shore,Pennsylvania came insecond place with this

10-point whitetail.Sonny, a foreman on

Pennsylvania Power &Light property, shot thebuck on the last day of

the hunting season nearBull Run in Lycoming

County. With an impressive 20" spread, it’s

hard to believe that thisbuck was the “runner-up”!

20The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Career Roadshow

It looks like little one-year-old Mackenzie McCarty isready to take down that bigtree behind her! Equipped witha hard hat, chain saw andrope, mom Brenda snappedthis charming shot as a gift toMackenzie’s dad, Ryan, andgranddad, Ed, who are bothforemen in the Doug GoberRegion of Pennsylvania. Ryanand Ed work on the property of PECO Energy in thePhiladelphia and Bucks County areas, respectively.

Makayla Elise Smith and her friend, Mr. Bear,

make quite an adorable pair!Born to Gene and Kathy just

before Halloween on October27, 2002, Makayla is getting

ready to celebrate her secondbirthday. Daddy Gene, a 17-

year Asplundh veteran, is a general foreman who

oversees crews on FloridaPower & Light property in the Eugene Wyatt Region.

These “cute as a button” sisters are (R to L): Chloe, 3,and Sadie, 1, the daughtersof Karen and Randy Page.Karen is a billing clerk in theShelby, North Carolina BillingOffice. Her little girls aregrowing up so fast that Karenfrequently sends updated photos to the Home Office sowe can keep up with them.

Family Album

At right, “justchillin’” is the

handsome JustinRobert Focht. Born

on November 21,2003, weighing

6 lbs., 12 oz. andmeasuring 20" long,he’s the first child of

proud Mom Jenn.Jenn recently

celebrated her 10thanniversary with Asplundh, and is currently a payroll administrator

in the Information Technology Department of the Home Office in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

The cute guy with the big smile is none other than ChandlerBing. Born November 18, 2003,weighing 7 lbs., 2 oz. and measuring 20" long, his arrivaldelighted five-year-old sisterCaitlin and parents Daniel andTiffany. Daniel works in the Steve Bostock Region of Alabama as a groundman onHuntsville Utilities property.

Meet the children of Mikeand Amanda Everhart, (L to

R) Cody and Katelyn. Both children recently celebratedbirthdays—Cody turned two

on June 15, and Katelyn celebrated her first birthday on July 7. Proud papa Mike

is a foreman in the Mark Contat Region of Ohio,

overseeing a bucket crew working on the property of Cinergy.

Join us in extending congratulations to newlywedsJacky and Pat Foley. A littlerain couldn’t dampen the spiritsof the happy couple as theyexchanged vows at St. Catherineof Sienna Church in Horsham,Pennsylvania on September 13,2003. Jacky, Asset RecoverySupervisor for the EquipmentDepartment, and Pat, Managerof IT Technical Services, tooksome well-deserved time off fromthe Home Office to honeymoonin Las Vegas! Apparently, whathappened in Vegas stayed inVegas, and they’re still smiling!

Best wishes go out to Heatherand Matt Helfrich, who were married September 20, 2003.

The newlyweds tied the knot infront of family and friends at OurLady of Mount Carmel Church in

Doylestown, Pennsylvania, thenflew down to sunny St. Lucia in the

West Indies for their honeymoon.Heather is the Home Office

Personnel Coordinator, and has been with Asplundh for

the past three years.

21The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Sachs Region CrewWows Doctors—Lastfall, a crew from the Dave Sachs Region of Ohio was sent tothe property of Dr.Barbara Thomsonand Dr. VictorShowalter in Westerville to clearlimbs away from AEPpower lines. Pictured(L to R) in front of theColumbus yard are

Journeyman Joel Tello, Acting Foreman Jason McMahan and Journeymen Juan Villanueva and Francisco Delarosa who manuallyclimbed the trees to prune the limbs. The doctors were so impressedwith the knowledge, skill and professionalism of the crew, they sent aletter to General Foreman Cory Chambers, singing the crew’s praises.Nice work!

Big Job? No Problem!—Shown here (R to L) are Foremen Tim Charotteand Chris Trago of the George Leszkowicz Region who made short work

of this American Elm removal. The enormous tree had contracted Dutch Elmdisease and was in danger of falling into nearby Northeast Utilities/National

Grid lines. Last winter, General Foreman Brian Hinds was contacted by theTown of Hadley, Massachusetts to send a crew to remove the hazardous tree.Tim and Chris took the challenge, and with the help of a scissor lift to remove

the upper limbs, this hard working duo had the tree down and completelycleared in a day and a half. Good job!

A New Program Makesa Difference in

Ponca City—After a severe

ice storm a fewyears ago,

Ponca CityEnergy (PCE)in Oklahoma,

decided toimplement a

more aggressiveannual tree trimming regimen. Foremen Steve Blocker and Larry Lewis,Trimmer Justin Gates and Groundman Billy Higgins of the Dan ThurstonRegion joined with PCE Utility Technician Eric Bell to begin work on

the new program last autumn, helping to remove over 400 troubletrees. Cindy Heidlage, the administrative secretary for Ponca City

Energy, captured the crew on film pruning branches away from powerlines in the McCord area. As a result, there have been noticeably fewer

power interruptions and less trouble calls for Cindy to answer!

Jobs Well Done

Georgia Power Names Crews of the Year

22The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Six Asplundh crews from the David McLamb Region were recognized by Georgia Power as a “2003 Crew of the Year”. Each crew was selected by theirGeorgia Power forester based on productivity, quality of work, safety and the amount of line clearance performed over a 3-4 year cycle. These crews wererecognized at Georgia Power’s Annual Contractors’ Meeting in February and received a commemorative plaque. The outstanding crews were (L to R):

Central RegionTrimmer Vincent Mann, Groundman Scott Turman and Foreman Tony Harding were

nominated by Forester Stephen Scarborough.

Gwinnett RegionForester Brian Johns presented Foreman

Mike Bilaki with a specially-engraved plaque for his hard work.

North-East RegionForeman Mike Young and TrimmerJames McBee posed with Forester

Kedrick Bryant to mark their achievement.

North RegionGroundman Adam Young, Trimmer Ron Princeand Foreman Richard Young were presented with their plaque by Forester Leon Foster.

West Metro RegionForeman Wilford Reynolds, Crew Member

Chris Claypool and Trimmer Steve Shambaugh were recognized by Forester Rick Shannon.

Dublin, Statesboro & Vidalia RegionsTrimmer Clay Woods and

Foreman Phil Whittington were honored by Forester Brian Smith.

23The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Merit Awards Recognize Great Deeds

he six—count ‘em, six—Merit Awardstories that are about to follow feature thequick thinking, bravery, compassion andsafety training of our employees. Our congratulations and thanks go out to allthese good people.

Rescue from Head-On CollisionOn the afternoon of October 3, 2003,

Asplundh Canada Foreman Mike Gerbitz,Apprentice Damian Howard and GroundmanSean Russell of the Remo MaddalozzoRegion in British Columbia were the firstpeople at the scene of a head-on collisionbetween a pickup truck and a SUV onHighway 97 north of Prince George,British Columbia.

With the truck on two wheels and teeteringover the top of the SUV, the crew went intoaction. Sean and Damian quickly cut theseatbelt that was choking an elderly womantrapped in the SUV and Mike attended tothe man in the pickup who had compoundfractures of his left leg. Paramedics arrivedapproximately 20 minutes later and thecrew continued to assist in the extraction ofthe two drivers. Removing the injured mantook 10 minutes, but it took an hour toextract the woman.

The entire paramedic crew was veryimpressed with the Asplundh crew’s quickaction and appreciative of their first aidassistance. We are, too!

A Choking Incident—Twice!On October 29, 2003, while on storm

recovery work for Baltimore Gas & Electricin Maryland after Hurricane Isabel, AsplundhConstruction Corp. General ForemanCharles Bruck and Journeyman LinemenChris Farren and Robert Shook of the BillCatalfio Region in Michigan were havingdinner when they heard an elderly gentlemanseated nearby choking.

Chris jumped up immediately and startedto administer the Heimlich maneuver. Theman thanked him, seemed to have recoveredand was talking when all of a sudden, hestarted choking again! Chris administeredthe Heimlich maneuver once again and dislodged a second piece of meat. Needlessto say, the elderly couple was very grateful.

Rescue from Burning HomeOn February 24, while working for

Florida Power & Light in DaytonaBeach, Florida, Foreman Jaron Indiharwas called upon to enter a smoke andflame filled house to help a 93-year-oldman get out safely. Investigators said thesingle story house had caught fire whenthe man, Mr. Nathaniel Richardson, hadspilled some gasoline that he had mistaken for kerosene. He was using it torefill several oil lamps. Flames broke outas soon as he tried to light a lamp.

Asplundh Canada Inc. Vice PresidentRemo Maddalozzo (L) presented Silver Merit Awards along with hisappreciation to (L to R) ApprenticeDamian Howard, Foreman Mike Gerbitz and Groundman Sean Russellas General Foreman (now SafetySupervisor) Duncan Isberg alsooffered his congratulations. The crewadministered first aid and assistedwith the extraction of injured driversafter a head-on collision.

Asplundh Construction Corp. Manager Bill Catalfio (R) in Michigan

congratulates (L to R) JourneymanLineman Robert Shook, General

Foreman Charles Bruck, and Journeyman Lineman Chris Farren

as he presented them with SilverMerit Awards for helping a chokingvictim in Maryland while on storm

duty last fall. Bill joked, “The DetroitBunch not only fixes utility line

problems, but the rate payers, too!”

Foreman Jaron Indihar (center) holds theGold Merit Award he received for enteringa burning home to rescue an elderly maninside. There to offer their thanks and congratulations are Vice President EugeneWyatt (R) and General Foreman WayneManger (L). Jaron is a Reactive crewmanworking on the property of Florida Power& Light in the Daytona Beach area.

Ms. Sharon Austell, a neighbor of Mr.Richardson, had seen Jaron working on thetrees in the neighborhood and asked him tohelp her get the man out. Five units fromthe Daytona Beach Fire Departmentarrived just as they were assisting Mr.Richardson out of the burning home. Fortunately he was uninjured, but was stilltaken to the hospital for an evaluation.

Lt. John King of the Daytona BeachFire Department tracked down Jaron tooffer the department’s appreciation forgoing above and beyond to assist others inemergencies. Great job, Jaron!

T

Vice President Doug Gober (center)recently paid an early morning visit to theshow-up for Foremen James Morgan (L)

and Keith Snyder (R) who were presentedwith Silver Merit Awards for their part in

identifying a burglar suspect that theyobserved while working for PECO

Energy in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.The crew’s quick action helped local and

state police track down the culprit.

24The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Street Light Foreman RobertBrown (second from R) receivesa handshake of appreciation anda Silver Merit Award pin fromUtility Lines Construction Services Manager Bill Turnerfor the heroic rescue of an elderlyman from his wrecked and burning car near Cedartown,Georgia. Joining in the awardceremony are Supervisor JerrySturgill (L) and General Foreman Mike Pruitt (R).

At a joint Asplundh and Dominion Virginia Power (DVP) award ceremonyVice President/Sponsor GreggAsplundh (far L) presented Silver MeritAwards to (L to R) Foreman MichaelMcFadden and Crew Members PrestonStevens and Jerry Walker of the TomMcDonnell Region who administeredfirst aid to two DVP workers that fellwhen a pole broke. To show the utility’sappreciation, DVP Manager ofForestry Bob Copper (far R) also gavean award to the employees and toGregg for their quick actions in administering first aid.

Merit Awards Recognize Great Deeds continued

First Aid to Fallen LinemenOn March 9, while on storm emergency

work for Dominion Virginia Power (DVP)near South Boston, Foreman MichaelMcFadden (who now works for the utility)and Crew Members Preston Stevens andJerry Walker were dispatched to clear a distribution right-of-way so that utility personnel could restore power in the area.

Two DVP service men were working ona pole nearby when it broke. The two menfell to the ground, sustaining severe injuries.Michael, Preston and Jerry quickly came tothe scene to stop the bleeding and stabilizethe victims until the rescue crew arrived.

According to DVP’s Manager ofForestry Bob Copper, the crew’s promptand proper response possibly saved thelives of these men. Congratulations guys!

Burglary Suspect CapturedOn April 5 near Downingtown,

Pennsylvania, Foreman James Morgan and Journeyman Trimmer (now Foreman)Keith Snyder were conducting trainingwhen they noticed a man crawling in thewindow of a nearby house. About ten minutes later, the man left the housethrough the window.

Suspecting a burglary had just takenplace, James called General Foreman BillNeiman and then 911. Keith followed theman into the woods for some time to lethim know that he was being followed.Within moments, local and state policearrived at the scene with a helicopter andblood hounds to comb the woods for thealleged burglar. Thanks to the detaileddescription of the man they saw, the policewere able to identify and capture the suspect.

Paying close attention to your work surroundings not only pays off for safety, it can also help prevent property loss anddamage. We’re just glad that no one washurt in this daring escapade.

Safe Retrieval from Burning CarOn May 10 around 9 p.m., after

working late, Street Light Foreman RobertBrown of the Bill Turner Region of UtilityLines Construction Services, Inc. (ULCS)was driving back to his crew’s show-upwhen he came across an accident scene on Highway 100 near Cedartown, Georgia.Robert immediately pulled over to help.

Mr. W.C. Mason, 72 years old, hadswerved off the road, flipped a few timesand landed over an embankment.Although someone else had stopped andcalled 911, no one had gone down to thecar to see what the driver’s status was.The car was starting to smoke and burnso Robert ran to the car, cut the seatbeltand pulled the man out to safety. Thanksto Robert’s brave and quick action—andthe seatbelt—Mr. Mason only sufferedminor injuries and recovered quickly.

Mr. Mason’s son called the GeorgiaState Patrol and Georgia Power to track

down the name of the Good Samaritan whohelped his father and was given Robert’sname and ULCS as his employer. Not longafter that, Mr. Mason called the AsplundhHome Office to report the good deed and tomake sure Robert received some sort ofrecognition. We are so glad he did becauseRobert might never have told anyone of hisactions that night and we would not havehad the opportunity to tell this great story.

Congratulations to all of our Asplundhand subsidiary employees whose gooddeeds earned them Silver and Gold awards!

25The Asplundh TREE Summer Issue 2004

Retirees HonoredCongratulations and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement to all the Asplundh retirees listed here!

Bob AlheidtForeman, New JerseyFirst employed August 1958Retired April 2004

Willard CaudillForeman, New JerseyFirst employed October 1996Retired May 2004

Larry CoulterJourneyman, MarylandFirst employed December 1971Retired March 2004

Donald DicksonGeneral Foreman, FloridaFirst employed September 1972Retired January 2004

Douglas FlynnCentral Locating Service, LtdApprentice, North CarolinaFirst employed March 2000Retired March 2004

William GrimesTrimmer, TexasFirst employed June 2001Retired March 2004

Al JerdanManager of Customer & Field LiaisonWillow Grove, PennsylvaniaFirst employed June 1970Retired April 2004

Franklin JohnsJourneyman, MarylandFirst employed September 1962Retired January 2004

Ronald JonesUtility Tree Service, Inc.General Foreman, CaliforniaFirst employed February 2001 Retired May 2004

John MahanJourneyman, PennsylvaniaFirst employed December 1980Retired January 2004

Ed MarcellForeman, MichiganFirst employed January 1981Retired March 2004

Sandy McRaeForeman, North CarolinaFirst employed August 1983Retired May 2004

Vice President JohnMacri passed away onMarch 2 at his home inRocklin, California. Hewas 50 years old.

A 27-year Asplundhveteran, John started outon a crew part-time in hishome state of Californiain 1971 while attendingcollege. He rose throughthe ranks of general

foreman and supervisor to become the manager ofAsplundh operations in Northern California in1992 when Vice President Jack Curtin retired. Johnwas elected vice president in 1995 and chose anearly retirement in 1998 after receiving a SilverMerit Award for his expertise in handling therapid expansion of operations on the property ofPacific Gas & Electric. He was a member of theISA and UAA.

John is survived by his wife, Lisa, and twodaughters, Lyndsay and Megan, as well as hismother, sister, grandmother and many in-laws,nieces and nephews. He is sadly missed by all!

Foreman Lou Stamon, a 19-year Asplundhveteran who worked throughout the Pacific Northwest, died on May 3 at the age of 77 inLacey, Washington.

Born in Texas, Lou was a World War II 82ndAirborn veteran who worked in the line clearanceindustry for almost 35 years. After retiring fromAsplundh in 1988, he continued to work as anindustrial safety consultant. Lou is survived by hissons, Michael and Korey. We send our sympathyto his family and friends who mourn his loss.

Executive Secretary Millie Lane of WillowGrove, Pennsylvania passed away June 10. Shewas 87 years old.

Born in Philadelphia, Millie came to work forAsplundh in the old Jenkintown office in 1960.She served for 24 years as the secretary to the latefounders of the company Carl and Lester Asplundh.Always involved in corporate meetings andevents, Millie retired in 1984. She is survived bytwin sisters, Bernice Barrar and Beatrice ‘Beezie’Curtin (wife of retired Vice President Jack Curtin),as well as several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. May she rest in peace.

Robert MetkaForeman, PennsylvaniaFirst employed September 1955Retired April 2004

Gerald MillerGeneral Foreman, WisconsinFirst employed December 1957Retired March 2004

James MillerForeman, WisconsinFirst employed September 1967Retired February 2004

Eston MosleyForeman, GeorgiaFirst employed October 1993(plus 19 years with Farrens)Retired March 2004

Gerald Nichols, Sr.General Foreman, North CarolinaFirst employed September 1966Retired January 2004

Dennis PiperForeman, MissouriFirst employed March 2002Retired May 2004

James RudolphGroundman, VirginiaFirst employed January 2001Retired May 2004

Ted SimmonsGeneral Foreman, North CarolinaFirst employed October 1993 (plus 4 years with Wilson Tree)Retired February 2004

Willie SmithForeman, FloridaFirst employed October 1993(plus 28 years with Farrens)Retired November 2003

Robert WilsonForeman, VirginiaFirst employed November 1995Retired March 2004

William WiseAmerican Lighting & SignalizationForeman, IndianaFirst employed January 2002Retired June 2004

A Farewell Message from Eston Mosley:Thanks for everything. I have to leave after thirty years, all ofwhich were pretty good years. I hope it keeps getting better forAsplundh. Maybe I have helped a little. All of my beautifuldaughters are grown and married and I have several beautifulgrandchildren. Not much more a person could ask for! Again,thanks for everything.

In Memoriam Our sympathy goes to the family and friends of these Asplundh retirees:

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

SOUTHEASTERN, PAPERMIT NO. 222International Headquarters

708 Blair Mill RoadWillow Grove, PA 19090

Retirees Honored continued

Foreman Bob Alheidt of Bloomingdale, New Jersey smiles proudly as he prepared to retire on April 16 aftermore than 29 years of service. To mark the occasion, Bob was treated to lunch by Supervisor Tom Anderson,General Foreman Kelsey Young and Public Service Electric & Gas Forester Guy Vogt. Bob originally startedwith the company in 1958 and has worked in New Jersey throughout his career. Best Wishes Bob!

Despite the laughs in this photo, it was no April Fools’ joke on April 1 when Customer & Field Liaison Dept.Manager Al Jerdan (R) was presented with a plaque in appreciation of his 34 years of service by Corporate

Administration Manager Jim Hines (L). Attendees of the Home Office Employee of the Month meeting gave Al a standing ovation for his hard work, dedication and leadership. Thanks Al and good luck in your retirement!

At a retirement dinner held in their honor, Journeyman John Remer, Sr. (second from L) and

Foreman Ed Marcell (second from R) received specially-engraved plaques and handshakes of

appreciation from WE Energies Regional ForesterRobert Szews (far L) and Asplundh Supervisor Mark

Fecteau (far R). General Foreman Bob Kubacki(center) also joined in the ceremony, which was held

on January 10 in Iron Mountain, Michigan and wasattended by approximately 40 co-workers and family

members. John had 29 years of service while Ed had 24, most of which were spent working on the

property of WE Energies. Enjoy your retirement,guys, and stay healthy!

Asplundh’s record-holder for length of service is Foreman Thomas ‘Bill’ Hensley (left) of Bordentown,New Jersey who had worked 53 years with the companywhen he retired in January! His co-worker for manyyears Bob Phillips (right) of Hamilton Square, NewJersey had more than 45 years of service when heretired in May! And in the middle is Supervisor TomAnderson, a 49-year Asplundh veteran, who recentlytook these hale and hardy retirees out to lunch to congratulate them on their longevity and reminisce alittle about the changes in the industry they have witnessed. They all have worked on the property of Public Service Electric & Gas for the majority of theircareers. Let’s congratulate these men for their hardwork and dedication!

New Jersey Holds OntoTitle for Longevity!

Wisconsin and WillowGrove Retirees Celebrate