MAA Member Spotlight
How old were you when you decided you wanted to work in tree care ? During my high school years , the Peace Corps ran TV commercials . One focus area was forestry which sounded interesting and sparked a curiosity that led me towards the tree world .
What was your first paying job in the tree care industry ? I spent 2 years at very small company in northern Colorado . The owner , myself and an occasional day laborer . Garbage equipment , limited training and safety protocols , questionable care practices , but I didn ’ t know any better at the time .
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work ? How have they influenced you ? I ’ ve had the opportunity to work with some amazingly passionate and accomplished individuals . Their focus and drive enable a type of success that inspires me .
What energizes you at work ? Being a part of something greater that can only be achieved through the collective action , engagement and efforts with others .
What ’ s your favorite plant or tree ? Why ? Persian parrotia . Fantastic fall color , interesting structure , bark and growth habit . Seems to be fairly drought tolerant as well . If you are lucky , flowering occurs sometime during late winter into early spring . They tend to form water sprouts when pruned , so it ’ s a great ornamental to plant and leave alone . It ’ s the type of tree that with careful observation , provides an amazing amount of subtle and varied characteristics .
What ’ s something you ’ re good at that most people wouldn ’ t know ? I ’ m exceptionally good at being alone .
Best book you ever read ? Not sure , some of Dr . Shigo ’ s books are pretty amazing .
Top destination on your must-see list ? Iron Maiden , live and up close , anywhere and as often as my budget and schedule allows .
Keith Bernard , MCA , BCMA Barrett Tree Service East District Manager , Newton MA
Favorite season ? Historically autumn , but over the last few years I ’ ve really started appreciating the renewal and daily changes spring offers .
Mountain , lake , or ocean ? Mountains . Far , far away .
What would we most likely find you doing on your day off ? Being a dad .
What ’ s one thing you ’ re learning now ? Why is it important ? Life is short . It ’ s not always easy and the fact is every day is a gift . Take time to reflect , appreciate where you are today , get excited about something , seize opportunities , reach out for help , seek the council of those you respect and lend a hand to those on their way up . I ’ m attempting to more actively live this way .
What ’ s the best advice you were ever given ? Who was it from ? “ Forestry is a dying profession , kids . If I were you , I ’ d change my major .” - Dr . Craig Shuler . 8:00 a . m ., Monday , August , 26 , 1991 . F100 - Introduction to Forestry at Colorado State . Never will forget that .
If you didn ’ t go into tree care , what would you be doing instead ? I ’ ve been working with trees in some fashion for over 30 years now , so it ’ s hard to imagine not doing something related . I ’ d probably be living in a van down by the river .
SPRING 2022 MAA NEWS 19