MAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Russell Holman, MCA, CTSP, BCMA Eversource Hyde Park, MA
VICE PRESIDENT Max Ford-Diamond, MCA Boston Parks & Recreation Boston, MA
SECRETARY / TREASURER Brandon Maltby, MCA Maltby & Co. Stoughton, MA
PAST PRESIDENT Kevin Cleveland, MCA Tree Tech, Inc. Foxboro, MA
MCA REPRESENTATIVE Matt Fisk, MCA Fisk Tree Service Seekonk, MA
DIRECTORS Kieran D. Yaple, MCA Race Mountain Tree Service Sheffield, MA
Keith Bernard, MCA Barrett Tree Service East Medford, MA
Steve Vernon, MCA Harrison McPhee, Inc. Millis, MA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR M. Virginia Wood
MEMBERSHIP & CERTIFICATION DIRECTOR Carrie Martin
MANAGEMENT TEAM Peggy Benjamin Charissa Sharkey Hadley McPhee
MASSACHUSETTS ARBORISTS ASSOCIATION, INC. 67 West Street Medfield, MA 02052 phone: 508.653.3320 admin @ MassArbor. org MassArbor. org
President ' s Message
The first half of 2025 has been a busy and inspiring time for MAA— a true reflection of our commitment to professionalism, community, and environmental stewardship. This issue highlights just some of the great work our members have accomplished so far.
In March, MAA served as the Show Supporter for ArborEXPO in Springfield. Our volunteers welcomed more than 350 students to learn about our industry, supported educational sessions, judged Arbor Awards, and connected with members at our booth. We’ re especially grateful to ArborEXPO for their generous grant supporting MAA’ s education and safety training programs.
In early April, member volunteers had the unique opportunity to assist Dr. Brian Kane with his Tree Risk Assessment research at Millborn Farm— a living lab helping advance safety in our field.
That same month, we honored Mike Furgal, MCA, with the VISTA Award. It was a memorable evening, made even more special by heartfelt tributes from fellow arborists and industry leaders.
We closed out April with Arbor Day of Service, hosting volunteer projects across the state. At Millborn Farm, our group celebration was a standout day that included presenting Ellis Allen, MCA, with MAA’ s first-ever Legacy Award.
Looking ahead, Fall Field Day returns on September 24— this time at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland. It’ s the perfect spot for learning, networking, and a little fun.
Here’ s to a safe, successful summer— enjoy the season!
MAA President Russell Holman, MCA, BCMA, CTSP
MAA NEWS is a publication of the Massachusetts Arborists Association, Inc. MAA NEWS is published four times a year for the Massachusetts Arborists Association( MAA) and is distributed free of charge to members. The purpose of the newsletter is to disseminate information to promote general standards and ethics in commercial arboriculture, as well as to foster research and share knowledge with its members. The MAA is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to communications between its membership and the industry. The MAA believes the infor- mation in this publication to be accurate as of its publication date and is not responsible for inadvertent errors. The MAA and Massachusetts Certified Arborist( MCA) logos are trademarks of the Massachusetts Arborists Association, Inc. Qualified MAA members and certified members only are permitted to utilize the logos. Logos for MAA and MCA are available through the MAA office.
EDITORIAL: Readers are encouraged to submit articles, announcements, review of products, or letters. Please send to Newsletter Editor at mail or e-mail info @ MassArbor. org.
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DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the MAA.
MAA NEWS SUMMER 2025 3