MAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Russell Holman, MCA 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 following is an excerpt from MAA president Russell Holman’ s comments at the Annual Meeting on November 19, 2025.
The Year in Review " Before we look ahead, it’ s important to pause and recognize what we have accomplished together over the past year. None of this would be possible without the continued support and dedication of our members— your commitment is truly the foundation of everything the MAA does.
I would like to begin by thanking our volunteer leaders on the MCA Committee for their time, expertise, and service: Matt Fisk, MCA, Chairperson; Julie Clements, MCA; Kat Cummings. MCA; Lorraine Fountain, MCA; Susan Hamilton, MCA; and Steve Vernon, MCA. Your leadership continues to elevate our profession.
We are also grateful for the hard work and guidance of my fellow Board members: Kevin Cleveland, MCA; Max Ford-Diamond, MCA; Brandon Maltby, MCA; Kieran Yaple, MCA; Keith Bernard, MCA; Steve Vernon, MCA; and Matt Fisk, MCA. Their dedication ensures the strength and direction of our organization.
A special thank-you goes to our management team. Virginia, Carrie, Peggy, Charissa, and Hadley are truly the backbone of the MAA, keeping the organization running smoothly day in and day out.
Together, we reached several significant milestones this year. In addition to launching the Arboriculture Learning Center project at Millborn Farm, we welcomed 58 new active members and continued to raise the bar for professionalism in our industry with 21 new MCA credential holders. Attendance at membership meetings remains strong, reflecting the engagement and enthusiasm of our community.
John Ball’ s Electrical Hazard Awareness Training continued as a vital program for keeping our teams safer. MAA volunteers also provided professional tree care services to sites in need across the state, highlighted by our Arbor Day of Service celebration at Millborn Farm. We were proud to honor Mike Furgal, MCA, with the VISTA Award and Ellis Allen, MCA, with our newly established Legacy Award. In addition, our partnership with the MCLP resulted in another successful Fall Field Day.
Looking ahead, we are excited for ArborEXPO, a jam-packed educational event supported by the MAA, taking place March 26 – 27 in Springfield. We are also preparing new opportunities for continuing education and safety training throughout the year, with expanded programming at Millborn Farm beginning next fall.
As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. If you are interested in becoming more involved with the MAA as a volunteer leader, please don’ t hesitate to reach out, we would be happy to share more details.
Thank you for your continued support of the MAA."
MAA NEWS WINTER 2026 3