Massachusetts Arborists Association
Where the best in the tree industry come together
NEWS
DECEMBER 2020
ANDY FELIX HONORED WITH VISTA AWARD
Snapshot of an Admired Arborist
The VISTA award is the most important honor the association can bestow upon one of its members . It was conceived to recognize truly outstanding tree care professionals whose acts and deeds serve as a guide and challenge for all members of the industry . The award ’ s title is an acronym for Vision , Integrity , Service , Talent , and Action — the leadership qualities inherent in all award recipients .
Plans to present Andy Felix , MCA with the 2020 VISTA Award at our April dinner meeting may have been thwarted by the pandemic , but that didn ’ t stop us from making sure he received this well-deserved recognition . We caught up with Andy to learn more about his storied career in tree care and to get his take on what the future may hold for our industry .
How did you get started in the tree care business ? I remember when I was about 10 years old , my father and Frank Harder put me up in a brand new 45 ’ Skyworker “ straight stick ” and walked away saying , “ Have a nice day .” I didn ’ t mind . My first boss was a well-known arborist in New York , Jon Hickey . I worked as a hose dragger on a spray rig for the second round of Gypsy moth sprays and “ cover ” sprays to kill every insect in sight . Soon after , I started climbing on all my college breaks — “ big wood ” on Long Island ’ s North Shore , 90-foot oaks with huge spread on beautiful properties . It was a great place to learn .
Can you tell us more about your career path ? I grew up around the industry . My father , Bob Felix , helped run Harder Tree Service , one of the largest tree companies on Long island . At that time , he was president of both the Long Island Arborist Association and the National Arborist Association ( NAA ). In 1972 , he was hired to run NAA full time . The NAA office was literally run out of our family home throughout my school years . This
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Andy Felix , mca President Tree Tech Inc . • Foxboro , MA B . S . Arboriculture / Urban Forestry , UMass 1983
Volunteer SerVice :
● President , UMass Arboriculture Club ( 1982-83 )
● President , MAA ( 1995-96 )
● President , New England Grows ( 1995 )
● Director , Tree Fund ( 1998-2000 )
● MAA / UMass Endowment Committee ( 1999-2000 )
● TCIA Accreditation Council ( 2010 )
● Chairman , Tree Care Industry Association ( 2018 )
● Director , Mass . Tree Wardens & Foresters Association ( 2003-2006 )
● Volunteer Tree Warden , Town of Foxboro ( 2002-2012 )
● Chairman , Foxboro Tree Committee
● Co-Founder , Foxboro Lacrosse Association
● TCIA Foundation , Board of Trustees ( 2019-Present )