TCIA Podcast

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Jeff Kish, Assistant Division Manager at Bartlett Tree Experts, to discuss what kind of person is perfect for the tree care industry.

About Jeff
Jeffrey Kish is a true lover of trees and plants.  An employee of Bartlett Tree Experts since 1988 and is currently Assistant Division Manager that works directly with 13 local offices in North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.  Jeff is resident of Raleigh, NC. A passionate arborist, he enjoys all types of gardening and spends most of his spare time in his personal garden and landscape.  A Board-Certified Master Arborist since 2007, TRAQ, CTSP and graduate of the ASCA academy, he takes pride in the professional credentials offered in the Tree Care Industry.  Jeff received his Bachelors of Science from Virginia Tech University. He is past board member of Tree Across Raleigh and is the current Board Chair of the North Carolina Urban Forestry Council.  Married with 3 beautiful children and most importantly enjoys spreading the good word about benefits of trees.

About Bartlett Tree Experts
Bartlett Tree Experts is a 100+-year-old tree and shrub care company with over 125 offices in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland. Built on family values and the pursuit of scientific tree care, they are proud of the quality of their work, level of service, award-winning safety record, and, most of all, their people. With services including pruning, fertilization, insect and disease management, cabling and bracing, and removal, they strive to keep trees healthy and beautiful. They believe every tree deserves a champion and are always looking for new champions to join their team.

En este episodio del TCIA Podcast, nos acompañan Daniel Aburto de Bartlett Tree Experts y Robin Kennedy de TCIA para hablar sobre la importancia de la educación.

Daniel Aburto ha trabajado en la industria verde desde 2005. Ha trabajado en Bartlett como Groundsman/Operador de suelo por 2 años, Climber/Trepador por 2 años, Foreman/Jefe de cuadrilla por 3 años, PHC Specialist por 6 años y durante estos mismos 6 años fue miembro del Comité de seguridad de la oficina de Raleigh NC. Actualmente trabaja como coordinador de seguridad, reclutamiento y capacitacion de Bartlett en Mexico ya 5 años ahora, Conductor LCC (CDL), con licencia de Aplicación de pesticida de Carolina del Norte, con certificacion de Arbolista, Tree Worker, CTSP, QCL, OSHA 10 y 30 hrs.

Su inspiración y motivo para salir adelante y buscar oportunidades y aprovecharlas es su familia: su madre, su esposa y sus hijas.

On this episode of the TCIA Podcast, we are joined by Daniel Aburto of Bartlett Tree Experts, and Robin Kennedy of TCIA, to discuss the importance of education. TCIA is making this episode exclusively in Spanish to celebrate Spanish heritage month.

Daniel Aburto has worked in the tree care industry since 2005. He has worked with Bartlett as a Groundsman for 2 years, Climber for 2 years, Crew Leader for 3 years, and PHC Specialist for 6 years. During those same years, he was a member of the Security Committee in the Raleigh, NC office. He has been working as Safety, Recruiting and Training Coordinator for Bartlett in Mexico for the last 5 years. He is a certified CDL Driver, licensed in North Carolina for Pesticide Application, Certified Arborist, Tree Worker, CTSP, QCL, OSHA 10 and 30 hrs. His inspiration and reason for striving and seeking opportunities and taking advantage of them are his family: his mother, his wife and his daughters.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Rollin Heassler and ShayLynn Ager to discuss what you should look for when applying for a tree care industry job.

Rollin Heassler has been the Human Resources Director at Rainbow Companies since August 2021. He brings more than 20 years of human resources experience to the position, with the bulk of his career in the US Army. While new to the tree care industry, Rollin has long appreciated the preservation of our natural resources and beauty and enjoys working daily with green industry heroes. Above all, Rollin enjoys spending time with his family – including his wife Aicha and six children – and taking advantage of the seasons and activities available in the Minnesota metro and surrounding areas.

Rainbow Tree Company was founded in 1976 with a vision to preserve the historic American elm trees in Minnesota. They have evolved into a multi-faceted company dedicated to serving clients around the world, transforming the way ecosystems are maintained. They lead with innovation and achieve predictable results through science-based practices, research, and training. They are a fast growing, team that provides innovative solutions in the green industry through Tree Care, Lawn Care, Pest Control, Vegetation Management, Research and Development, and so much more.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Kieran Hunt, Stephen Hilbert, and Geoff Kempter of Asplundh, to discuss utility arboriculture.

Asplundh is an international, family-owned company that has specialized in safe, efficient and cost-effective vegetation management since 1928. As a full-service utility contractor, Asplundh performs scheduled and emergency tree pruning and removals, right-of-way clearing and maintenance, and integrated vegetation management with herbicides. Company employees are encouraged to take advantage of ongoing training, which includes a rigorous best-in-industry curriculum on safety, arboriculture and herbicide application. In addition to vegetation management, Asplundh has a division of infrastructure service companies, Asplundh Infrastructure Group, which provides design, construction, maintenance and other engineering services to utilities, municipalities, government agencies, departments of transportation, telecommunication companies and developers. Asplundh employs more than 34,000 service professionals throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Ben Reince of Wachtel Tree Science to discuss how to get started in Plant Health Care.

Ben Reince has spent his career in Wisconsin.  Growing up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, going to school and earning a degree in Urban Forestry at UW-Stevens Point, then moving to Southeastern Wisconsin to start his career at Wachtel Tree Science.  Ben has spent 19 years with Wachtel Tree Science, starting in production, becoming a Certified Arborist and a Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP), and is now one of the Owners of Wachtel Tree Science, allowing Ben to see all facets of a commercial tree care company, especially with Wachtel Tree Science a company that does it all in the world of tree care.

Wachtel Tree Science has been keeping trees healthy and beautiful with the highest quality care since 1935 throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Their commitment has always been to provide outstanding service to their clients and focus 100% on the safety of their employees.  They utilize the most advanced technology and best practices which provide trees and shrubs with the highest level of care.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Nathan Morrison of ArborScapes to discuss owning and running a tree care business and what it takes to get it started.

Arborscapes is the trusted name in professional landscape design and tree services in the Charlotte-metro and surrounding areas. Our ISA certified arborists, licensed horticulturists and landscape designer let our customers bring outdoor living dreams to life with confidence.  Arborscapes is committed to customer satisfaction and brings over 20 years of knowledge and expertise to enhance the safety, functionality and enjoyment of outdoor spaces to every project - big or small.  Charlotte-area homeowners, landscape designers and builders know that they can depend on Arborscapes to professionally execute every outdoor enhancement the right way, on schedule and within budget. Our professionalism extends beyond our expertise as horticulturalists, arborists and landscape designers to the integrity of our crews. 

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Doug Cowles, President/CEO of HMI, to discuss storm work and what it takes to do it.

Doug has been HMI’s President/CEO since 2004 and has been responsible for establishing the company’s information systems, business development, and fulfillment strategies. In his role, he has also been directly involved in the assignment, review, and estimating of thousands of claims involving damaged plant material. Before joining HMI, he held executive-level positions in various industry sectors, including financial services, manufacturing, and emerging technology. His previous roles developed the strategic planning, critical thinking, and leadership skills that have enabled his success at HMI. He graduated from Purdue University where he received a B.S. in Agricultural Economics.

Learn more about TCI EXPO by visiting us at EXPO.TCIA.ORG

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Peter Gerstenberger, Senior Vice President of Industry Support at TCIA, to discuss how he came to join TCIA, his work on TCI EXPO, and much more.

Learn more about TCI EXPO by visiting us at EXPO.TCIA.ORG

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Jeff Blackman, Program Manager of Eyedent Insurance Services LLC., to discuss the benefits insurance brings to a tree care company.

ArborMAX is the only insurance company endorsed by TCIA. The advice in this podcast is applicable to all tree care companies looking at any insurance provider.

To learn more about ArborMAX visit them here.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by August Hoppe, President of Hoppe Tree Service, to discuss the benefits to workforce development and retention that an apprenticeship program can bring.

August is a 3rd generation arborist and President of Hoppe Tree Service.  A 21 year TCIA member company working out of the Milwaukee area.  He is a past President of the Wisconsin Arborist Association, currently Senior Director of the TCIA, and the Co-Chair of the WI Arborist Apprenticeship Advisory Committee.  He lives and breathes Apprenticeship.  When he is not working he loves to bike, kayak, or do just about anything outdoors.