Furgal Receives VISTA Award
On April 25, 2025, Mike Furgal, MCA, was honored with the Massachusetts Arborists Association’ s most prestigious recognition— the VISTA Award. Established in 2000, the award celebrates individuals whose leadership exemplifies the values of Vision, Integrity, Service, Talent, and Action— the core principles reflected in the award’ s name. It stands as the highest distinction the MAA can bestow upon a member.
A large crowd of friends, family, and industry colleagues gathered at The German Club to celebrate Mike’ s remarkable career and contributions. Several longtime friends and respected MAA members— including Deb Howe, David Anderson, MCA, Rip Tompkins, MCA, Mike Jerome, MCA, and Matt Foti, MCA— shared heartfelt remarks and stories, offering both gratitude and a few well-earned laughs. community. His work thoughtfully draws on the most current arboricultural science, and one of his great gifts is his willingness to experiment and develop new ways of doing things – he takes action to prove or disprove his ideas, and shares his results with generosity, and with the wish to improve the care of trees.”
The evening concluded with a standing ovation and a moving acceptance speech from Mike, who gave special thanks to his 13-year-old son, William. It was a fitting tribute to a leader who has spent his career helping others— and the entire industry— with humility and heart.
Each speaker highlighted Mike’ s far-reaching influence on the industry, his generosity in sharing knowledge, and his tireless commitment to innovation. He has long been known not only for advancing arboricultural practices, but also for his willingness to mentor and support others.
Deb Howe, who was one of many who nominated Mike for the award, captured his spirit perfectly in her letter:
“ In his career as an arborist and small business owner Mike has consistently sought to learn and develop new ways of working with trees. He tends to be quiet about his accomplishments, but other arborists seek him out to find out what he’ s working on or thinking about. He’ s an arborist’ s arborist; he thinks about trees, what they need and how they respond to intervention, and he’ s generous with his knowledge.
Mike has vision and integrity. In sharing his boots-onthe-ground research he serves the greater arboricultural
Congratulations! Matt Foti, MCA presented Mike Furgal, MCA with the VISTA Award.
Top photo: Mike Furgal, MCA and his son William( second and third from left) are surrounded by award presenters: Matt Foti, MCA; Mike Jerome, MCA; David Anderson, MCA; and Rip Tompkins.
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