Richard Herfurth Receives the 2019 VISTA Award
On April 23, 2019 Richard Herfurth, MCA was presented with
the association’s prestigious VISTA Award. The award was estab-
lished by the MAA in 2000 to recognize leaders in our industry.
It is given to an individual whose actions serve as a guide and
challenge to other members. The VISTA Award recognizes truly
outstanding tree care professionals. The award’s title – VISTA – is
an acronym for Vision, Integrity, Service, Talent and Action – the
leadership qualifies inherent in all award recipients. It is the
highest honor the MAA bestows upon a member.
Nearly 200 members, old friends and colleagues gathered at
the April meeting to celebrate with Richard as he received his
VISTA Award. Richard’s longtime friend, Dennis Ryan, MCA made
the presentation, followed by an exuberant standing ovation.
The following is an excerpt from Dennis’ remarks that evening:
“
for Bartlett Tree Expert Co. With Jim Ingram’s blessing he has
shared his training skills not only with his Bartlett co-workers,
but with many in this room
How many here have received some training from Richard?
[Editor’s note: the majority of people in the room raised their
hands.] I know he helped me every year with students and
continues to help Dr. Brian Kane in Amherst.
I have worked all across this country with some of the best
arborist in the world. Richard is the best field arborist I have
ever known. If there’s one thing I know about Richard is that
he’s a man of few words who does not like to have the spot-
light shining on him. Yet he is the first person to step up,
when help is needed,
We promised Herf that we’d keep this short and sweet, so I’ll
stop here! I know you all join me in congratulating Richard
for his service to our industry with this year’s VISTA Award.
”
Richard is a graduate of the U.S. Marine Corp in 1974.
Harley-Davidson in 1977, Stockbridge Arbor and Park in
1982 and UMass Urban Forestry in 1984.
Richard is a friend of mine and has been for a good long time.
I inherited Richard and his unique classmates from Professor
King in 1983 (Bob Allan, Paul Sellers, George Mellick and his
wife Laura …).
Herf went to work for Bartlett in 1988 as a climber and today
he is the New England Division Safety & Training Coordinator
Dennis Ryan, MCA
presents Richard
Herfurth, MCA with
2019 VISTA Award.
Many of Richard’s
Bartlett Tree Expert
colleagues showed up
to help him celebrate
receiving the VISTA
Award.
Know someone you’d like to nominate for the VISTA Award?
MAA members are encouraged to nominate colleagues for VISTA Award consideration. Please write a letter to the
MAA board of directors with the name of your nominee and include the reasons why you believe he/she should
receive the award. Take the award’s purpose and title into consideration when crafting your nomination letter.
Be specific, cite examples, include details and, if possible, ask for letters of support for your nominee from other
MAA members. The deadline for nominations is September 10, 2019.
Nomination letters may be sent via regular mail or e-mail to:
VISTA Award • MAA Board of Directors • 8-D Pleasant St. South • Natick, MA 01760
[email protected] (“VISTA Award” in Subject Line please)
MAA NEWS / June 2019 9