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THE ASPLUNDH TREESpring 2013

The Asplundh TREESpring 2013 1

We hear, see and say the word “safe” every day, in its many different forms and for a variety of circumstances. Whether it is “safe”, “safety” or

“safely”, we surround ourselves with the words and hopefully, we understand the true meanings of them. What is interesting is how people define these terms differently.

Some say that being safe can mean anything from just not having any accidents/incidents, to no near misses. Everyone seems to have their own way of defining it. For me, and the way we use the term in SafeProduction®, being “safe” means no unnecessary exposure to risk. (And now we have to define “risk”… which is the opportunity for loss.)

There is risk in everything we do, but we do not have to expose ourselves to risk needlessly. A few quick examples of the difference are below:

• Driving has inherent risk, but driving without a seatbelt or not using our Decision Driving principles clearly entails unnecessary risk.

• Using a chain saw has risk, but operating it with only one hand, or using it without proper PPE or safety features, is taking a truly unnecessary risk.

• Tree felling has risk, but not following ALL five steps of the tree felling process invites way too much unnecessary risk!

The training our employees receive through the Line Clearance Qualification Standard (LCQS) is designed to reduce risk. Other ongoing procedures such as the Job Behavior Observation (JBO) process, general foreperson co-location work and the vehicle inspection logs (FD-514) all help to prevent unnecessary risk.

As we know from our Human Performance training, we are all human and can make mistakes. The key is to avoid the Error Traps (the mistakes that we are likely to make and get hurt), so we can work safe and go home uninjured every night.

I challenge all of our employees to ask themselves why they work safe. For many, the answer will be to see their friends and family again. I write this not only to each and every employee of the company, but also (and maybe more importantly) to the friends and families of our employees. I would like our folks to share this article with their friends and family, and let them know that they are the reason that the employee is working safe.

We are kicking off a new campaign with the theme of this article. We have created a small, flexible fabric picture frame— no thicker than a helmet liner— to go inside your helmet/hard hat with the phrase, “Why I Work Safe Today.” The idea is to provide a constant, visual reminder of who is waiting for us after work. This follows along our previous campaigns: a refrigerator magnet frame that says, “My Reason for Working Safely,” and the truck visor frame which says, “Get Home Safe Tonight.”

The current campaign is designed so that every employee will be reminded of why they should work safe and why they should follow our policies and procedures every time they put on their helmets.

Please share this with your friends and family! Our hope is that every day, you are reminded of why you should work safe. And when you see that person, he or she might ask you the question, “Did you work safe for me today?” And you can truthfully say, “Yes!”

Tim Walsh [email protected]

SAfETy SuccESS I s N o Ac c I d eN t

by Tim Walsh Director, Safety Operations

WHy I WORK SAfE TOdAy

The Asplundh TREE is a family magazine, published three times a year for all employees and friends of the Asplundh companies.

Asplundh welcomes requests to reprint or otherwise duplicate this magazine, in whole or in part. Please contact the Managing Editor of Corporate Communications at the address below for permission, or call 1-800-248-TREE (in the U.S. or Canada).

©2013 Asplundh Tree Expert Co.

Asplundh Tree Expert Co. 708 Blair Mill Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 www.asplundh.com Printed on recycled paper

THEASPLUNDH

TREESpring 2013

On THE cOvER

On Carroll Electric Cooperative’s system in Northeast Ohio, hilly terrain is no problem for Foreperson James Mills operating a ‘puddle jumper’ lift and Jarraff Operator John Hafner. See more about Carroll Electric on pg. 3. (Photo by John Rader)

MAnAgIng EdITOR cORpORATE cOMMunIcATIOnSPatti ChipmanWRITER/EdITORKristin WildASSISTAnT EdITOR/gRApHIcS SpEcIAlISTRonnie GaukerEdITORIAl ASSISTAnTDonna Kemmerer

our 85TH AnnIvERSARy ARbOR dAy eveNts

In honor of Arbor Day and the company’s 85th anniversary, Asplundh sponsored a service project in conjunction with PECO Vegetation Management at Smith Memorial Playground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two climbing crews from the Larry Gauger Region (at left) carefully removed two large, dead and dying trees from the Smith Playground while a team of 13 Asplundh Home Office and PECO employees did spring clean-up and planting work.

Two beautiful weeping cherry trees (below), donated by Lentzcaping, Inc., were also planted to

replace two that had succumbed to last summer’s drought and other stresses. This service project demonstrated the importance of proper tree care and planting the right tree in the right place, whether it’s Arbor Day or not.

Once again, the Gene Blount Region in Texas competed in the Houston Area Urban Forestry Council’s tree planting competition

during the city’s February 9th Arbor Day celebration. This orange-clad volunteer team

placed second in the professional category by properly planting 100 five-gallon trees in

36 minutes, 27 seconds! Let’s join Supervisor (Team Captain) Jeff Vining in congratulating

(L to R) Jose Garcia, Nestor Negrete, Sebastian Lagunas, Saul Sanchez, Leonel Perez, Jr., David Sandoval, Manuel

Tinoco, Gary Bourke, Hector Delgado, and Andres Mendoza for their great tree-planting performance—and a good deed for the environment!

Connecticut Light & Power Arborist Steve Child gave a lively presentation to the 4th and 5th graders of Hampton Elementary School to celebrate Arbor Day. Adding to the experience were Asplundh Foreperson Ron Harwood and Bucket Operator Frank Stanton of the Dan Duncan Region who gave a tree pruning demonstration in the school parking lot. The kids were very excited to learn about the value of trees and each took home a Colorado Blue Spruce sapling.

cOnTEnTS

Co-op Corner ..............................................3A History Of Innovation In IVM ................4Stormy Times .................................................6Merit Awards .................................................8Management Update ....................................9Orchids .................................................12Service Anniversaries .................................16Crews & News ............................................19Retirees Honored ......................................23In Memoriam ...............................................24Fighting The EAB Battle ............................24New Product Review ..............................25


cO-OpcorNerChoptank Electric Cooperative,

a member-owned utility which serves nearly 53,000 homes

and businesses on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, celebrates 75 years of service this year. Quite a few things have changed since 1938, but Choptank’s emphasis on service and support remains the same.

For nearly a decade, Asplundh staff members from the Steve Miller Region have participated in Choptank’s annual meetings, welcoming the opportunity to get to know the co-op’s members and staff. In honor of Choptank’s 75th anniversary, Asplundh made an extra effort with its equipment display at the annual meeting on April 16 in Salisbury, Maryland.

Over 600 members came by to ‘kick the tires’ and ask questions about the standard and offroad aerial lifts on display, as well as the Volts Wagon Electrical Hazards Training Trailer. This training center on wheels allowed members to see the dangers of electricity up close and gain a greater understanding of the hazards faced by the co-op’s staff and Asplundh crews in the field.

A Welcome And A farewellChoptank has recently hired a new

system forester, Bryan Hall, but he is not exactly a stranger to Asplundh. A graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in forest resource management, Bryan got his first exposure to vegetation management activities years ago on an Asplundh crew working along a Delmarva Power & Light transmission right-of-way! For the past 17 years, he has worked for the State of Delaware as a forester, planner and arborist. Bryan is an Eastern Shore native and Asplundh is pleased to be working with him to help maintain safe, affordable power for Choptank’s members.

In addition to our welcome to Bryan, Asplundh bids farewell to Choptank’s Manager, Cooperative Communications Anne Whaples who will be retiring after 19 years. Although Anne says that she has always enjoyed working with Asplundh folks at the co-op’s annual meetings, she

u Choptank’s members were encouraged to explore and ask questions about the Asplundh

equipment on display—a standard roadside bucket truck and offroad 4x4 platform-mounted lift (aka ‘puddle jumper’). Annual meetings are a

great time to build understanding between co-op members, staff and Asplundh personnel.

t Choptank Electric Cooperative’s System Forester Bryan Hall (far L) joined with (L to R) Asplundh General Forepersons Jeff Elliott, Jasin Stewart and Mike White to answer questions from co-op members during the utility’s annual meeting and 75th anniversary celebration in Salisbury, Maryland in April.

t RSS Jose Irizarry and RST Carlos Escobar presented valuable information on electrical hazards to Choptank’s members and staff as they toured the Asplundh Volts Wagon. Also on hand to interact with members were Vice President Steve Miller and Supervisors Sam Patchett and Jim Beam.

is looking forward to spending more time with her family after retirement—especially her two grandchildren.

carroll Electric cooperativeAsplundh trucks from the Keith Confere

Region have dotted the six-county service territory of Carroll Electric Cooperative, Inc. in northeastern Ohio since early 2012. At the time, Asplundh had won the bid to clear 175 miles of line and since then, the crews have worked hard to be more than just a tree contractor.

Open communication about the right-of-way clearing process between Asplundh and Carroll Electric members and staff has been promoted through an interactive display at the co-op’s annual meeting. An Asplundh manual crew was actually featured in the co-op’s magazine,

but the operation under General Foreperson John Rader also includes a Jarraff side-trimming machine and a 4x4 ‘puddle jumper’ lift to tackle steep terrain and maintain efficiency.

Carroll Electric awarded a second contract to Asplundh to clear 199 miles of line and has also hired two hourly crews to work in the gated community of Lake Mohawk in 2013, where they will clear an additional 27 miles of line.

“Asplundh has proved to be a full-service contractor, capable of working in the hilly terrain of Northeast Ohio, while providing professional and courteous service,” recently wrote Yvonne Ackerman, Carroll Electric’s Manager of Marketing and Member Services.

We aim to maintain that level of service and exceed it whenever possible!

The Asplundh TREESpring 20132

WITH TRAInIng And pRAcTIcE

nATIOnAl And REgIOnAl SAfETy REcOgnITIOn

u The Safety Operations Group has developed a special training packet and qualification for the new rigging kit tools, which must be completed to make sure that

our crews and supervision understand how to safely use and maintain the kit. The Tom McDonnell Region in Virginia recently invested in the new rigging kit and on March 5, Vegetation Trainers Joe Kern and Gary Shaffer came to ‘train the trainers’ in the region. Thanks to Senior Forester Jeff Geis of Dominion Virginia Power and RSS Billy

Higgins, 18 Asplundh employees (forepersons to supervisors) plus three Dominion foresters, were able to

comfortably participate in the classroom and outdoor

hands-on training in Dominion’s Training Center

in Chester, Virginia. Above, Joe and Gary demonstrate how to assemble the 5-to-1 mechanical advantage system as (L to R) Mike Anderson, Jovel Benavides,

Jeff Rawls and Jose Reyes observe. t Gary (center) discusses the different scenarios for appropriately using a port-a-wrap and Whoopie sling, as (L to R) Carlos Dennison, Jody Messick

and Steve Sharpe listen and ask questions. All of the Asplundh employees

had to demonstrate correct use of the equipment to pass the qualification.

u Around the same time in March, General Foreperson Rob Forell of the Dave Puckett Region in Western Pennsylvania captured this photo of Foreperson

Mark Cogley demonstrating his skill and knowledge in a manual tree rescue procedure. This was part of Rob’s monthly foreperson evaluation, which also required

a demonstration of administering first aid for a chain saw cut while in the tree. These folks all work on the property of West Penn Power, safely and efficiently.

That’s what SafeProduction® is all about!

t We are pleased to report that 18 Asplundh employees were recognized by the Tree Care Industry Association in February for their outstanding safety performance in providing emergency assistance to citizens in need during 2012. In addition to the engraved glass award at left, each employee received a Cabela’s gift card and letter of appreciation signed by CEO Scott Asplundh, President George Graham and Director of Safety Tim Walsh. Please join us in congratulating: Christopher Goral, Todd Lyles, Jason Anderson, Jon Bax, Josh Murphy, Simon Chavers, Ben McFadden, Charles Smith, Jose Lemus, Mark Vickers, Hugo Uribe, Hector Rodriguez, Mario Banuelos, Jose Luis Luna, Irving Martinez, Robert Wisting, Jason Vanartsdalen and Dillion Vanaman.

u In January, General Foreperson Dave Fox of the

Dave Puckett Region in Western Pennsylvania treated his hard working, safety

minded employees to breakfast for achieving a three-year incident-free milestone! Supervisor Bill Crouse (far L) joined

with West Penn Power Manager of Forestry Services Chip Brown (not shown) and Advanced Forestry Specialist Sharon Ross (third from L) to congratulate Dave and his people. As

a reward, each employee received a hi-vis hooded sweatshirt and Kevlar work gloves. The employees who achieved the three-year goal are (in alphabetical order): Greg Basinger, Chris Coughenour, Michael Coughenour, Chad Johnson, Rob Kraft, Glenn Levtzow, Evan May, Daniel Riley, Jeffrey Ritenour, Jeremy Samek, Adam Shaffer, Richard Smiley, James Spargur,

Timothy Wiltrout and Nicole Zelinsky. This team is now totally committed to working toward four years incident-free!


A HIstory of InnOvATIOn In IvMA lways striving for safety,

efficiency and environmental sustainability, Asplundh has

been a leader in innovative vegetation management methods and equipment since the company began in 1928.

Take the design of the first Asplundh chipper in 1948 or Lester Asplundh’s own design of the first fully-insulated, fiberglass aerial lift boom in 1958. Creative thinking, persistence and collaborations with others have helped the company solve many vegetation management problems over the past 85 years.

Through its own basic research and pilot projects in actual right-of-way (ROW) settings, Asplundh found that some integrated vegetation management (IVM) ideas worked and some didn’t. Often, our partnerships with utilities, academia, herbicide manufacturers and equipment suppliers speeded up the evolution and adoption of new products and methods in IVM, such as low volume applications.

To give an example of how much has changed in IVM, oil base spraying in the 1940s called for up to 100 gallons per acre of herbicide/fuel oil mixture and up to 300 gallons per acre for water-based formulations. That was the norm. Today, with highly selective and concentrated chemistry, plus ultra low volume (ULV) application technology, spray volume can be as low as five gallons per acre and still achieve accurate control. Asplundh and its valued suppliers have worked hard to meet the challenges of high petroleum prices, changing regulations and public misconceptions about herbicides.

Asplundh and the staff in its Arborchem Products Division can now tailor a utility, railroad, pipeline or highway vegetation management program to address very specific ROW conditions. With properly trained applicators and precise operations, IVM can be the safest, most economical and environmentally sustainable tool in the tool box.

Let’s look back and take some pride in a few highlights of Asplundh’s history of innovation in IVM.


p Following in the footsteps of Jim Orr (center) are Vice President Joe Lentz (L) and Vegetation Management Specialist Dave Krause (R) of the Arborchem Products Division. As regular presenters throughout the ROW industry, they received the UAA Education Award in 2008.

t Leading the IVM research and training efforts of Asplundh since 1977 is Vice President Jim Orr, shown here presenting in North Carolina in 1987.

p Before states required pesticide applicator licenses, Asplundh developed a herbicide training certification program of its own in 1985.

u Published in 1952, the

industry’s first practical

herbicide manual for

spray crews was written

during the early career

years of now retired Asplundh Senior Vice

President Hyland Johns.

Education And Training Efforts

p Since 1986, the Arborchem Products Division has done custom blending for ready-to-use (RTU) basal and other treatments, which takes the mixing process out of the field and helps crews deliver consistent results. It also provides container management programs.

p Asplundh worked with Jim Esposito, a retired formulation chemist from the Amchem Division of Union Carbide, to patent the first commercial ultra low volume (ULV) basal oil in 1984. The mineral oil and emulsifier formulation mixed easily with herbicides and penetrated the bark well.

p Asplundh worked with various chemical manufacturers to test and develop new herbicides, carriers, wound treatments and cleaners. From the 1950s through the 1970s, some products were marketed with an Asplundh label. In 1986, the Arborchem Products Division was established to offer ROW managers an even wider selection of products, advice, training and technical support.

bringing new products And Methods To Market

p In the early 1980s, Asplundh worked with various companies and designers to test and develop low volume technology. In 1994, Asplundh began promoting the ULV Thinvert® application systems. A thin invert emulsion spray fluid and special spray nozzles control drift and reduce the amount of herbicide and carrier needed to achieve control.

p The Radiarc® spray system, introduced in 1986, applies herbicide in a uniform pattern while providing excellent drift control with low volume applications.

p Beginning in the 1990s, all-terrain vehicles were modified by Asplundh for LV and ULV applications to increase crew productivity in rugged terrain.

p Asplundh began testing, as early as 1981, the ‘cut stubble’ method of mowing followed by a soil-activated herbicide. This method continues to be an excellent way to establish an easier-to-maintain meadow-like ROW.

Investigations Of Our Own

p In the early 1980s, Asplundh worked with developers on an injection system for tree growth regulators (TGRs).

p As another means of slowing the growth of tree branches near power lines, in 2002 Asplundh introduced ultra low volume (ULV) chemical side trimming via 4x4 aerial lifts for off-road transmission ROWs.

p An Asplundh-sponsored TREE Fund research grant in 2009 measured the effectiveness of cut stump applications by species and geography to better define the benefits of this simple method, used since the early 1950s, of controlling resprouts from stumps.

p In 1986, Asplundh joined with PECO, Pennsylvania State University, Dow and other cooperators to initiate a research project, similar to Game Lands 33, on a stretch of PECO transmission line ROW in Green Lane, Pennsylvania. It continues to demonstrate the safety and environmental benefits of herbicide use in utility vegetation management.

collaborations With utilities And Other Organizations

p In 1952 Asplundh helped to create a partnership of stakeholders to scientifically evaluate ROW management methods, especially herbicide applications, and their effect on the environment. The Pennsylvania State University School of Forestry and Conservation conducted the studies on a Penelec (now FirstEnergy) transmission ROW that crossed through Pennsylvania Game Lands 33. Common herbicide products by Amchem, DuPont (no longer involved) and more recently, Dow, were used in the studies and our crews performed the various treatments. Known now as the Game Lands 33 research and demonstration project, the first test plots were treated in 1953 and have continued over 60 years, generating over 200 papers that prove IVM works for both wildlife and electric reliability.

STORMytImes


A fter a record-breaking response for Superstorm Sandy last fall, Asplundh crews

were mobilized several times during the winter as Mother Nature continued to wreak havoc with snow, ice and wind. Three storms in particular required a significant number of outside crews.

A Snowy, Icy Holiday In Ark-la-TexCustomers of Entergy and SWEPCO

might have been wishing for a white Christmas, but they got way more than they bargained for on December 25, 2012! Freezing rain, sleet, high winds and over a foot of wet snow in some places brought down trees and poles, knocking out power for over 240,000 Entergy and almost 17,000 SWEPCO customers in the immediate aftermath of the storm.Entergy Arkansas was the hardest hit with over 100,000 outages in the Little Rock area alone.

The Asplundh Storm Center Team coordinated with Managers Don Redden and Jerry Kensinger to mobilize an additional 82 tree crews (more than 240 employees) from three neighboring states to assist their local crews already working for Entergy, SWEPCO and other utilities and municipalities affected by the storm. Power was restored for the vast majority of customers by December 31, but some Asplundh ‘foreign’ crews continued the clean-up work until they were released on January 2, 2013.

Winter Storms nemo And Saturn In The northeast

As if utilities and municipalities in the northeastern part of the United States hadn’t had enough of storm work since Hurricane Irene hit in August 2011, the weather forecasters ominously predicted that February 8-9 would see blizzard conditions in the Northeast due to Winter Storm Nemo. The prediction certainly came true for parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island where almost 500,000 customers lost power over the course of the storm response.

Nine utilities from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire acted on the forecasters’ predictions and requested additional


u With potential hazards all around, Foreperson Michael Barnett of the Scott Harmon Region

in Missouri used advanced rigging techniques to remove this 80-ft. pine that was threatening

Entergy power lines in North Little Rock, Arkansas after a Christmas storm brought unusually large

amounts of snow, ice and wind.

t Corporate Safety Advisor Shawn Smith took this photo near Plymouth, Massachusetts as he touched base with dozens of Asplundh crews working in the snow and wind to remove Nemo-damaged trees from power lines and roadways.

u A crew under General Foreperson Alex Joya of the Mark Lohse Region in Baltimore, Maryland

prepares to remove a blizzard-blown pine tree from an NSTAR line not far from Cape Cod,

Massachusetts. NSTAR received an additional 163 Asplundh tree crews (about 400 employees) to

assist in the storm emergency while National Grid brought in 322 tree crews

(approximately 820 employees).

p On his way to the Cape Cod area to assist NSTAR, Lead Foreperson Steve Hosaflook of the Tom McDonnell Region in Virginia is shown here digging out of a Milford, Connecticut parking lot early on the morning of February 9.

u RSS Matt Hinman from the Jim Winemiller Region in Missouri sent in this shot of some of

General Foreperson Johnny Wilson’s bucket trucks in Farmington, Connecticut getting ready to leave so they could start their assignment with National

Grid after Nemo dumped up to 40 inches of snow.

Asplundh crews, starting on February 6. Additional infrastructure crews from Asplundh Construction Corp. and Utility Lines Construction Services were also called into action.

As the Asplundh Storm Center Team worked on getting crews released from utilities in 18 different states, our eight local tree and construction managers prepared to host the mobilized crews and respond quickly to the storm. Wind and heavy snow on the night of February 8 halted many crews in Connecticut as they attemped to get to their assignments throughout New England.

At the peak of Asplundh’s response, over 1,700 tree workers (more than 660 crews) and over 200 infrastructure workers were sent in from as far away as Florida and Missouri. Crews that had initially been sent to utilities in Pennsylvania and New York were released and some of them were redirected to the harder-hit utilities of National Grid and NSTAR in eastern Massachusetts, and to a lesser degree Connecticut Light & Power.

By February 13, all of the ‘foreign’ crews had been released to return home. However, about a month later, on March 5, Winter Storm Saturn brought similar conditions. Asplundh sent 66 tree crews (about 150 employees) to NSTAR and National Grid for two days to help restore power in parts of Massachusetts.

Thankfully, all of Asplundh’s storm workers safely completed their tasks and returned home uninjured. Many thanks to the utilities and municipalities who released our crews to assist others, and to the families of our employees, who supported this important work.

u On January 14, on the first floor rotunda at the Iowa State Capitol,

Governor Terry E. Branstad (far L) and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds (far R) held a short public recognition ceremony in

honor of the Iowa utilities, utility workers and contractors that provided mutual

aid resources to restore essential utility services to the Eastern United States

following Superstorm Sandy. Manager Adam Larson (second from R) and

Supervisor Kevin Kasal (second from L) attended on behalf of the Asplundh Tree

Expert Co. A certificate of appreciation signed by both the Governor and Lt. Governor was mailed out to each Asplundh employee from Iowa that participated in the storm restoration work.

t For several days after Superstorm Sandy hit LIPA/National Grid on Long Island, Mike McPeck, an engineer from National Grid in Syracuse, New York worked closely with General Foreperson Jeff Elliott and crews from the Steve Miller Region in Delaware and Maryland, and the Bobby King Region in Kentucky to help restore power in Locust Valley, New York. The crews are shown here in front of the fire station which became their

home away from home. After their assignment together, Mike wrote to Jeff: “I want to personally thank you and all the crews that worked under you during the storm in early November, including the two tree climbing crews from Kentucky. They all showed professionalism and their dedication in bringing the power back on to the residents of Locust Valley, New York. ... Safety was always their number one priority, and they showed it in every job they worked. ... It would be a pleasure and honor to work with you all again.”

MORE pOST-SAndy AppREcIATIOnFrom Vice President SC Gary Benz, Director EDSC Bill Wolfe and Manager EDSC John Nauer of FirstEnergy to UtiliCon President Steven Asplundh:

“Super Storm Sandy had a devastating impact on millions of our customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland. ... As the leadership within FirstEnergy’s Supply Chain, we wanted to reach out and thank you for your outstanding support and exceptional customer service during this trying time.

Your continued dedication to FirstEnergy and our customers has been continually reaffirmed by your help in Hurricane Irene, Snowmageddon, Derecho and now Sandy (aka Frankenstorm). ... We really appreciate the trust we can place in you and even more appreciate the partnership we’ve forged in order to meet the challenges of these storms and natural disasters.”

From President James Laurito and Chairman/CEO Steven Lant of Central Hudson Gas & Electric in New York to ACC Vice President Frank Giordano:

“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to Asplundh Construction Corp. for providing Mutual Aid resources to Central Hudson during Hurricane Sandy. ... Central Hudson experienced outages accumulating to over one third of our customer base and, with your help, restored 90% of those customers affected within three days.

It is of great comfort to know that when the need arises, quality organizations such as yours stand ready to assist.”

p While waiting for their next assignment from NSTAR, General Foreperson Cletus Hottle of the Tom McDonnell Region conducted some impromptu safety training for his crews who normally work on the Dominion Virginia Power system.

mANAgemeNtupdATE


nEWVICEPrEsIdEntsElEcTEd

nEWmanagErsInTHEHomEoffICEAndfIEld

Robert coffman, former branch manager in parts of Oklahoma, was promoted to region manager in January. Executive Vice President Brent Asplundh sponsors the Coffman Region.

Robert started on an Asplundh tree crew in his home state of Oklahoma in 1988. Within nine years, he had advanced to

Ken chan joined Asplundh’s Supply Chain Management Department in December 2012 as the chief procurement officer. He reports to Vice President / Corporate Administration Manager George Licci.

Ken brings to Asplundh 18 years of international consulting and industry experience. Prior to Asplundh, he was with Deloitte Consulting and PriceWaterhouse Coopers PRTM Consulting, helping Fortune

500 companies improve profits through strategic sourcing, procurement transformation and value engineering. Before that, he was a professional electrical engineer. At Asplundh, Ken leads our cost reduction and organizational capability improvement program. He holds an MBA with highest distinction from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, as well as an electrical engineering degree from the University of Hong Kong and a management degree from the University of London.

Ronnie collins, manager of Asplundh operations in parts of Florida, was elected vice president by the Board of Directors in January. Executive Vice President Matt Asplundh sponsors the Collins Region.

Ronnie joined the company in 1993 when Asplundh acquired Farrens Tree Surgeons. With five years of prior line clearance experience, he advanced to general foreperson the following year and

in 1997, he transferred to New Mexico. Six years later, Ronnie was promoted to supervisor and in 2004, he transferred back to his home state of Florida. He advanced to manager in 2008 and is responsible for overseeing crews working in the Northern Region of FPL, Duke Energy (formerly Progress Energy) and several municipal and rural electric cooperative accounts in Florida. Ronnie has earned corporate recognition for storm coordination, safety management and equipment expense control. He is an ISA Certified Arborist/Utility Specialist and serves on the board of the Florida Vegetation Management Association.

david fulford, former district area manager for parts of Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, advanced to region manager in October 2012. Vice President Doug Gober sponsors the Fulford Region.

David joined the company as a general foreperson in Colorado in 2003. He came with seven years of experience with a tree service company in his home state of Florida. In 2005, David was promoted to

supervisor and six years later, he advanced to district area manager under Vice President Will Willis. As manager of his own region, David oversees Asplundh operations on the property of Xcel Energy in parts of Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, as well as various cooperative and municipal accounts in Colorado and New Mexico. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Florida and has been an ISA Certified Arborist since 1997.

John dettl, manager of Labor Relations, was elected vice president by the Board of Directors in January. He reports to Asplundh President George Graham and UtiliCon President Steven Asplundh.

In September 2002, John joined Asplundh with 25 years of experience in labor relations and human resources. He started his career in 1977, working for the State of Michigan after earning a bachelor’s degree

in public affairs management from Michigan State University. He moved into corporate industrial relations in 1984 and then employee relations and human resources. In his last position before joining Asplundh, he served as vice president of labor relations for a nationwide armored truck service and had successfully negotiated over 400 union contracts for various companies across the country. John continues to negotiate 40 to 50 contracts per year for Asplundh and its subsidiaries, as well as assisting with acquisition integration and regional start-ups. He has also received corporate recognition for storm response logistics.

general foreperson. In 2009, Robert was promoted to supervisor and then branch manager a year later. His current management responsibilities include overseeing Asplundh operations on the property of Oklahoma Gas & Electric and various municipal, rural electric cooperative and pipeline accounts throughout the state. Robert is an ISA Certified Arborist and is an April 2011 graduate of Asplundh’s Management Leadership Academy. He has also studied criminal justice at Langston University in Oklahoma.


MERIT AwArds

A splundh is proud to recognize seven employees whose observant, selfless and skillful

actions recently earned them Silver Merit Awards. Their heroic stories follow.

burning bbQ On deckOn October 10, 2012, while driving

home from a long day of tree work for Sault Ste. Marie Public Utility Commission in Ontario, Foreperson Bud Irving and Groundperson Mike MacKay spotted a fire on the back deck of a home adjacent to the highway. The crew, from the John Moir Region of Asplundh Canada ULC, immediately pulled in and saw that a propane BBQ grill had caught on fire.

Reacting quickly, Bud grabbed a garden hose and started spraying down the house to prevent the spread of the fire. Mike called 911 and then ran to the front door, knocking and yelling to see if anyone was home. The man who owned the home had been using the grill to cook his supper, but then fell asleep on the couch. The food caught fire and then ignited the siding on the house. Fortunately, the man woke up and was able to exit safely. Local fire crews soon arrived and extinguished the propane grill.

If not for the sharp eyes and quick actions of Bud and Mike, the entire home and homeowner might have been lost! Well done!

Senior citizens SavedOur employees often witness unusual

things while responding to storm work. On November 6, 2012, about a week after Superstorm Sandy struck New Jersey, Crew Leader Robert Wisting and Apprentices Jason Vanartsdalen and Dillion Vanaman of the Steve Miller Region noticed heavy black smoke coming from a nearby mobile home park. They were just pulling into the Atlantic City Electric operations center at the Cape May Court House after a 16-hour shift of cleaning up storm damaged trees.

Initially they thought it was just a diesel truck starting, but the smoke became continued on page 11

heavier so the crew quickly went to investigate. They found a mobile home with smoke coming out of it and Jason called 911 while Robert and Dillion knocked on the door. An elderly woman came to the door and they sat her down outside to get fresh air. She then told them that her 92-year-old husband was sleeping in the rear bedroom, so they went in and helped him outside as well.

The emergency services soon arrived, but it turned out that the smoke was coming from a malfunctioning heater. Thankfully, Robert, Jason and Dillion

did not hesitate or these senior citizens might have died from smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning. Great work!

Rescue from House fireThe fire rescue work continued on

March 14, 2013 around 5 p.m., when an Asplundh Brush Control crew from the Ray Seaman Region was returning from an ITC-METC job site in Iosco County, Michigan. Equipment Operator Brook Lawe and Trimmer Ryan Stahl slowed down as they saw some people standing

Silver Merit Award pins were presented to the “men in orange”

at right who did not hesitate to enter a smoking mobile home to assist an elderly couple in safely

escaping last November. Joining in the Silver Merit Award presentation were (L to R): Senior Staff Forester

Matt Simons and Staff Forester Nick Bocchicchio of Atlantic City

Electric, Crew Leader Robert Wisting, Apprentice Jason Vanartsdalen, Apprentice Dillion Vanaman, Asplundh Vice President Steve Miller and Manager of Forestry for PHI Pat Byrne. This

heroic event took place during the Superstorm Sandy response in New Jersey.

Asplundh Canada ULC President John Moir (far L), Executive Vice President and Sponsor Chris Asplundh, Jr. (far R) and Forest Technician Peter Bursche (center) of Sault Ste. Marie Public Utility Commission in Ontario all joined in congratulating Foreperson Bud Irving (second from L) and Groundperson Mike MacKay

(second from R) for preventing a major house fire and possibly saving the life of the sleeping homeowner. In early December, they were presented with gift cards (just in time for the winter holidays) instead of the usual Silver Award pins.

After presenting Silver Merit Awards, Asplundh Brush Control Manager Ray Seaman (far L) posed for a photo with (L to R): Trimmer Ryan Stahl, Kevin Nicholl of ITC/ULCS Forestry, North Region, General Foreperson Scott Wilson and Equipment Operator Brook Lawe. Ryan and Brook courageously saved an 83-year-old woman from her burning home on March 14.



nEWmanagErscOnTInuEd nEWmanagErscOnTInuEd

Scott Harmon, former branch manager, was promoted to region manager in parts of Missouri and Kansas in January. The Harmon Region is sponsored by Vice President Doug Gober.

With five years of prior experience in city park supervision and maintenance, Scott joined an Asplundh tree crew in 1998 in his home state of Missouri. By 2000, he had advanced to general foreperson and

two years later, he was promoted to supervisor in the vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas. In 2010, Scott was given branch manager responsibilities and now as a regional manager, he oversees Asplundh crews working on the properties of cooperative, municipal and pipeline accounts in parts of Missouri and Kansas. An ISA Certified Arborist, Scott also holds a degree in outdoor education from Missouri State University in Springfield.

dennis Mauk, former supervisor in eastern Kentucky, advanced to region manager for that area in January. Executive Vice President Brent Asplundh sponsors the Mauk Region.

With two years of prior tree service experience, Dennis joined an Asplundh tree crew working on Kentucky Power property in 1987. He advanced to general foreperson by 1995 and gradually took on

regional safety training and compliance duties. In 2006, Dennis was promoted to supervisor under Vice President Larry Kirk, overseeing Asplundh crews working on the property of Kentucky Power. Now he holds region manager responsibilities for this territory. Dennis is an ISA Certified Arborist, First Aid/CPR Instructor and a licensed herbicide applicator. He is a member of the Kentucky Arborist Association and the Vegetation Management Association of Kentucky.

gene Hayden, former branch manager, advanced to region manager in south central Florida in January. Vice President Doug Gober sponsors the Hayden Region.

Gene began his Asplundh career on a tree crew in his native state of Florida in 1992 and within four years he had advanced to general foreperson. A talented climber, Gene won the 1999 Florida ISA Chapter Tree Climber’s Championship while fulfilling

his general foreperson duties. In 2002, he began a year of service as a corporate safety supervisor and then worked as a reactive coordinator until his promotion to field supervisor in 2006. Gene was given branch manager responsibilities four years later and currently manages a region that serves several municipal and cooperative accounts in south central Florida. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and a member of the Utility Arborist Association and Society of Municipal Arborists.

les parsons, former branch manager, advanced to region manager in northern Ohio and parts of western Pennsylvania in January. Executive Vice President Gregg Asplundh sponsors the Parsons Region.

A 36-year Asplundh veteran, Les is originally from Indiana and he worked briefly for Asplundh in West Virginia before settling in Ohio. Les gained experience in tree, spray and specialized equipment

operations before he was promoted to general foreperson in 1997. Thirteen years later, he advanced to supervisor and in July 2010, Les was named branch manager. His current responsibilities include managing Asplundh tree crews working for FirstEnergy utilities in northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, as well as various municipal and cooperative accounts. Les is an ISA Certified Arborist and an April 2011 graduate of Asplundh’s Management Leadership Academy.

Mark lohse, former supervisor in southeastern Pennsylvania, was promoted in January to region manager in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Executive Vice President Brent Asplundh sponsors the Lohse Region.

In 1999, Mark joined an Asplundh tree crew in his home state of Illinois, working on the property of ComEd. Within four years, he had advanced to general foreperson and had passed the ISA Certified Arborist

exam. In 2005, Mark was promoted to supervisor and transferred to Pennsylvania to oversee Asplundh crews on the property of PECO. As a region manager, he is responsible for managing Asplundh vegetation management operations on the property of Baltimore Gas & Electric, now part of Exelon Corporation. Mark is a March 2012 graduate of the Asplundh Management Leadership Academy.

utah villines, former branch manager, was promoted to region manager in Arkansas in January. The Villines Region is sponsored by Executive Vice President Matt Asplundh.

Utah got his start with the company in his home state of Arkansas in 1982. He progressed to general foreperson in 1991 and served as a superintendent of Arkansas crews for about a year before

his promotion to supervisor in 2005. Utah was given branch manager responsibilities five years later. He currently manages Asplundh tree crews working on the property of Entergy Distribution and Transmission in Arkansas, as well as various rural electric cooperative and municipal accounts throughout the state. Utah is a June 2011 graduate of the Asplundh Management Leadership Academy.

nEWsuPErVIsorsInTHEfIEld

brian Walters, former supervisor in North Carolina, advanced to region manager in parts of Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana in January. Executive Vice President Chris Asplundh, Jr. sponsors the Walters Region.

A 31-year Asplundh veteran, Brian joined a tree crew in his native state of Pennsylvania in 1982. He transferred to Florida four years later and became a general foreperson in 1988. Brian was promoted to supervisor in 1994 of Farrens Tree Surgeon crews (a former Asplundh subsidiary). Seven years later, he transferred to North Carolina as a coordinator and in 2007, he returned to a supervisor position. Now, as a region manager, Brian is responsible for overseeing Asplundh operations on the properties of various investor-owned and cooperative utilities in the Florida Panhandle, Mississippi and southern Louisiana. A March 2012 graduate of the Asplundh Management Leadership Academy, Brian is also an ISA Certified Arborist.

clint barron, former regional safety supervisor, was promoted to supervisor in Tennessee under Manager Ezekiel Klomp in December 2012. The Klomp Region is sponsored by Vice President Larry Moore.

Born in Arizona, Clint joined Asplundh in 2005 as a general foreperson in Colorado. He came to the position with three years

brian Allison joined Asplundh as a supervisor in Michigan under Manager Ray Schneider in December 2012. Executive Vice President Chris Asplundh, Jr. sponsors the Schneider Region.

Brian has 23 years of experience in utility vegetation management and over 13 of them were with Asplundh. In fact, he got his start on a tree crew working on the property of Detroit Edison in Michigan in

1990. Brian advanced to general foreperson under Ray in 1999, but he left the company in 2004 due to contract changes. He has now returned to Asplundh as a supervisor, overseeing tree crews working on the properties of various investor-owned, municipal and cooperative utilities in Michigan. A qualified CPR/First Aid instructor, Brian is currently studying to be recertified as an ISA Certified Arborist.

John devlin, former general foreperson on Long Island in New York, advanced to supervisor under Vice President Brian Fuge in December 2012. Executive Vice President Chris Asplundh, Jr. sponsors the Fuge Region.

Born and raised on Long Island, John first came to work on an Asplundh tree crew in 1985 and within two years, he had advanced to foreperson. In 1997, John left the company for two years, but returned as

a general foreperson in 1999. Now, as a supervisor, he is responsible for overseeing Asplundh tree crews working for LIPA/National Grid and outsourced crews working for New York State Electric & Gas. His crews also serve a variety of state, federal and municipal accounts on Long Island and in the greater New York City area. John is a May 2012 graduate of the Asplundh Management Leadership Academy.

of tree service management experience and 10 years of work with the U.S. Forest Service in his home state of Arizona. In 2009, Clint was promoted to regional safety supervisor for crews working in parts of Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. As a Klomp Region supervisor, he is responsible for overseeing Asplundh operations for various municipal and cooperative accounts in western Tennessee. In addition to being an ISA Certified Arborist/Utility Specialist, Clint holds an associates degree from Glendale State College in Arizona and is a licensed helicopter pilot.

near the road, watching smoke and flames coming from a house. The bystanders had already called 911, but no one knew if anyone was in the house. Brook and Ryan decided they had better go check it out.

When the crew got to the front door of the home, they could see an elderly lady with a walker trying to get through the thick smoke to the door. Brook and Ryan quickly entered the home and assisted her outside to a safer location away

from the house. Within moments the home was completely engulfed in flames.

Although the fire department was not able to save the house, the determination and heroism shown by Brook and Ryan surely saved the life of a woman who might not have been able to get out of her burning home in time. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

mErIt awards continued from page 8


OrchidsLetters and telephone calls were received complimenting the following forepersons and their crews working on the property of the utility or organization listed below the employees’ names. This listing covers all Orchids that were received in the Corporate Communications Department between November 10, 2012 and April 7, 2013. For their outstanding job performance or special volunteer efforts, we say ...

Thank you and congratulations!

AlAbAMAUtility Lines Construction Services Forepersons Tommy Huggins and Leon Keel, and Apprentice Adam Davis,Alabama Power Co.

ARIzOnAGeneral Foreperson Dave Brower, Foreperson Ken Knight and Trimmer Dominique Garcia,Salt River Project

bRITISH cOluMbIAMichael Kalivoda, Apprentice Jeff Henderson and Groundperson Russ Bauer,TELUS

cOlORAdOGeneral Foreperson Chris Gay, Foreperson Jeff King and Trimmer Mike Palmerino,Mountain Parks Electric

cOnnEcTIcuTGeneral Foreperson Roger Semeraro and Crews, Connecticut Light & Power

dElAWAREUtility Lines Construction Services Supervisor Melvin Gilliam, Foreperson Craig Bradshaw and Crews,Delmarva Power

flORIdAGeneral Foreperson Ronald Douglas, Foreperson Jacques

Geffrard, Journeyman Flobert Lami and Groundperson Chadrac Premier,Vero Beach UtilitiesGeneral Foreperson Dave Hamilton and Crews,Florida Power & Light

gEORgIAGeneral Foreperson Pedro Espinoza, Foreperson Jean-Claude Antoine, Trimmer Chris Wilson and Groundpersons Travis Bower, Chris Garcia and Wade James, Georgia Power

HAWAIIDavid McKown and Apprentice Mason Jordan,Hawaiian Electric Company

IdAHOMatt Mackler, Trimmer Travis Hightower and Apprentice Lukas Lee,Avista Corp.Casey Rendall, Trimmer John Wood and Apprentice Scott Topp,Avista Corp.

IndIAnAAsplundh Construction Foreperson Jeremy Jones and Equipment Operator Billy Davis, for coming the aid of a contractor-support employee who fell and broke her ankle, as well as making the area she fell in safe so no one else would get hurt,Indiana Michigan Power

Asplundh Brush Control Supervisor Jean Labrie, General Foreperson Randy Beemer, Foreperson John Trombly and Crews,IN Dept. of Natural ResourcesGeneral Foreperson Paul “Beagle” Thomas, Forepersons Bill Fowler and Ron Minix, and Journeyman Roger Bradley, for coming to the aid of three people who were trapped by a tree that had fallen on the car they were traveling in,NIPSCO

IOWAChris Brown and Trimmers Ric Neil and Don Winders,MidAmerican EnergyKory Einfelt and Trimmer Jason Thoren,MidAmerican EnergyAric Hollingshead and Trimmer Oscar Bermudez,MidAmerican EnergyWork Planner Chad Hollingshead, for his excellent customer service skills,MidAmerican EnergyWayne Johnson and Trimmer Derek McNicol,MidAmerican EnergyRob Phillipsen and Crew,MidAmerican EnergyGeneral Foreperson Rob Benda, Foreperson Matt Pregon and Trimmers Rick

Bates and Nick Gilchrist,MidAmerican EnergyBrandon Reeves and Trimmer Brad Schneckloth,MidAmerican EnergyWilliam Thompson and Trimmer Victor Fuentes,MidAmerican EnergyJason Thornton and Trimmer Grant Bruce,MidAmerican Energy

KAnSASJimmy Rodgers and Crew,Westar Energy

KEnTucKyGeneral Foreperson Raymond Kelley and Crews,Big Rivers Electric CorporationGeneral Forepersons Bryant Lewis and Danny Rose, and Crews,Kentucky Power

MAInEBrandon Brewer, Jacob Chase and Jason Perkins, and Crews,Central Maine PowerJoe Purington and Trimmer Ian Lamberton,Bangor Hydro Electric

MARylAndGeneral Foreperson Miguel Gonzalez, Forepersons Trinidad Alvarez and Salvador Reyes, Groundperson Sergio Rodriguez,Potomac Electric Power Co.

From an e-mail to Vice President Danny Rampani regarding the work of Foreperson David McKown and Mason Jordan in Hawaii:

“... The customer was extremely pleased not only with the work performed but also with the courteous way in which the crew behaved. The customer commented that they were ‘the best tree trimmers that she had ever seen’ and looked forward to seeing your company around the island more often. ... It is quite rare that we receive compliments for good work in this day and age, and I wanted to ... commend Mr. McKown and Mr. Jordan on a job well done.”

Gregory Chun, Supervisor, Veg. Mgmt., Hawaiian Electric Co.

From an e-mail to Supervisor Jeff Holder in the Bobby King Region of Kentucky about General Foreperson Raymond Kelley and crew:

“I want to commend Raymond Kelley and his crew for the excellent work they performed for Big Rivers Electric in 2012. Raymond and his crew were exemplary in their safety attitude, work ethic and attendance. They never complained or hesitated, even though there were times it may have been justified. We can count on Raymond to handle any situation that arises ... and deal with it appropriately. We certainly appreciate his efforts and those of his crew.”

Randy Hutchison, Veg. Mgmt. Supervisor, Big Rivers Electric Corp.


Orchids – November 10, 2012 through April 7, 2013

MASSAcHuSETTSBill McKinstry and Crew,Unitil

MInnESOTARamiro Loa, Gary Palmer and Adam Repp, and Crews, for helping a stranded motorist free her car from a snow drift,Xcel EnergyGeneral Foreperson Jeff Lopeman, Foreperson Eric Herberg and Crew,Connexus EnergyGeneral Foreperson Jeff Lopeman, Foreperson Clint Merritt and Trimmer Shaun Sutherland,Connexus EnergyClint Merritt and Trimmer Shaun Sutherland, Connexus EnergyGeneral Foreperson Bob Turner, Foreperson Joel Behm and Trimmer Tim Kelley,Xcel EnergyGeneral Foreperson Bob Turner, Foreperson Jason Frey and Trimmers Herman Ortega and Tyler Villarreal,Xcel EnergyBob Warner and Trimmer Ken Korkowski,Xcel Energy

MOnTAnATom Horning, Groundperson Malachy Horning and Apprentice Chad Barber,NorthWestern Energy

nEbRASKANoah Bogus and Trimmer John Reising, Lincoln Electric System

Eric Hartman, Trimmers Sam Decker and Shawn Strahan, and Groundperson Jake Walter,Lincoln Electric System

nEW HAMpSHIREGeneral Foreperson Joel Cook, Forepersons Marty Chase, Tim Grant and Aaron Gregg, Trimmer Paul Downs and Groundperson Ryan Marcoux,Public Service Co. of NHZack Grootenboer and Groundpersons Lane Morrissette and Tanner Thompson,FairPoint CommunicationsChris Guillou and Trimmer Kurt Belanger,Public Service Co. of NHPermissions Person Scott Robitaille and Crew,Public Service Co. of NH

nEW JERSEyGeneral Foreperson Fran Whilden and Crews,Atlantic City Electric

nEW yORKAsplundh Brush Control Foreperson Eric Bell and Trimmers Jennifer Ballard, Roger Ballard, Steve Coddington, Vinnie Dunn, Will Seymour and Terry Spohn,Orange and Rockland Utilities Asplundh Construction Underground Mechanic Jim Carey and Apprentice Trevor Macdonald,LIPA/National GridAsplundh Construction Underground Foreperson Marc Lackner and

Mechanic Timothy Dunn, Jr.,LIPA/National GridCrew Leader Wayne Vanaken and Trimmers Hugh Jones, Alfredo Lira and Al Slavin,Con Edison

nORTH cAROlInACharles Cummings and Groundpersons Jason Davis and Todd Davis,Town of LouisburgGeneral Foreperson Danny Davis,Duke EnergyJohn Schultz and Crew,City of ShelbyForester Phillip Shook, Forepersons David Flores, Jose Macedo and Gerson Manzanares, and Trimmer Natividad Padilla,Duke PowerGeneral Foreperson Jonathan Stevens and Crew,Duke EnergyGeneral Foreperson Joey Vines and Crews,Duke Energy

OHIOGeneral Foreperson Dave Campfield, Forepersons Chris Huhn and Dean Hughes, Trimmer John Hastings and Journeymen Will Clark and Ted Frame,AEP OhioGeneral Foreperson Dave Kuhn, Forepersons Brian Davis, Chris Holland and Mike Osborne, Trimmer Heath McDaniel and Groundperson Zach Ekermeyer,AEP Ohio

Harry Moore and Crew,AEP OhioManager Les Parsons, Supervisor John Wolfe, General Foreperson Tim Cowden and Crews,FirstEnergy/Toledo EdisonJim Watson, Journeymen Todd Lenarz and Jesse Scarberry, and Groundperson R. Prysi,AEP Ohio

OKlAHOMAGeneral Foreperson Tim Aguilera, Foreperson Brandon Paine and Apprentice Tyler Nunley, for helping Apache High School replace the American flag outside the school,PSOGeneral Foreperson Jason Hughes, Foreperson Francisco Herrera and Apprentice Enrique Gonzalez,PSOGeneral Foreperson Jose Munoz, Foreperson Everado Sigla and Apprentices Wesley Smith and James Wilson,PSO

OREgOnGeneral Foreperson Zach Bertalot, Forepersons Donato Parkerson and Nicholas Thompson, and Trimmer Aaron House,Portland General Electric

pEnnSylvAnIAJose Alaniz and Lupe Ybarra, and Trimmers Leo Martinez and Pat Ybarra, for keeping their eyes on a suspicious person

From an e-mail to ACC Vice President Frank Giordano about Underground Mechanic Jim Carey and Apprentice Trevor Macdonald who were working for LIPA/National Grid in New York:

“I wanted to send you a note about what a good job your directional drill crew ... did for Roslyn Gas Field Operations today. ... Believe me when I say the job we asked them to drill for us was not easy. The weather outside today was extremely bitter and the angle that the drill had to travel was very steep. Needless to say, Jim got it done as he always does, along with a great attitude on the job site.”

Robert Hughes, Gas Field Operations, LIPA/National Grid

From a letter to the Keith Confere Region regarding Foreperson Jim Watson and crew, who assisted an elderly gentleman after a fall in his Ohio home:

“... My husband fell down the cement steps leading to our basement. He was bleeding profusely ... and insisted that I not call 911. .. Your guys were coming to our house to get permission [and] I asked them to help me get [my husband] up. However, when they saw his condition, they ... told him it would be best for a paramedic to check him. Gene lost a lot of blood and their comments made him realize he needed professional help.”

Gene and Janet Barstow



until police arrived on the scene,PPL Electric UtilitiesGeneral Foreperson Robert Forstburg, Forepersons Ron Fronheiser and Cliff Hettler, and Trimmers Skylar Knighton, Dave McShaw, Dave Remaley and Bill Williams, PPL Electric UtilitiesVice President Larry Gauger and Manager Mark Lohse, for volunteering equipment and their time to support a local Boy Scout’s Eagle Scout project at Bondsville Mill Park by cleaning and painting a flag pole, installing a solar light and clearing vegetation from the WWII memorial,PECOGeneral Foreperson Joe Kasisky, Foreperson Martin Kulp, Journeyman Earl Faulkner and Apprentice Spencer McCloskey,PPL Electric UtilitiesGeneral Foreperson Juan Sampedro, Foreperson Juan Marquez, Trimmer Alejandro Reyes and Journeyman Celin Castillo,PPL Electric Utilities

SOuTH cAROlInATrey Barker and Angie Westmoreland, and Crews,Duke EnergyGeneral Foreperson Kenneth Whitt and Crews,Duke Energy

TEnnESSEETrimmer Robert Evans and Crew,Chattanooga EPB

Daniel Loftin and Journeyman Kirk Harrison, for helping an elderly couple out of their car after the driver lost control and the car wound up on its side in a ditch,Cleveland UtilitiesJonathan Smith and Crew,Chattanooga EPB

TExASChad Allen and Trimmer David Gutierrez,Xcel EnergyDextor Burgess, Mickel Rodriguez and Greg Sanchez, and Groundpersons Sam Alford and Chris Castillo,Lubbock Power & Light and South Plains Electric Coop.

vIRgInIAJohn Corbin, Lloyd Corbin and William Smith, and Groundpersons Samuel Funkhouser, Harry Miller, Chris Ramey and Ronnie Tennett,Shenandoah Valley Electric Co-op.General Foreperson Tony Garst, Foreperson David Ramey, and Journeymen Charles Ramey and Jeff Williams,Appalachian Power Co.Steve Jasionis and Apprentice Steve Benson,Dominion Virginia Power

WASHIngTOnGeneral Foreperson Ken Dillinger, Forepersons Jeremy Barriault and Daimen Butterton, Journeyman Bill Harrison and Apprentice Tom Espey,Puget Sound Energy

Trimmers Nick Fowler and Brandon Kittleson,Puget Sound EnergyGarry Isaacs and Apprentice Casey Long,Puget Sound EnergyPete Oliviero, Trimmer Jared Wright and Apprentice Slone Lewis,Tacoma Power Robert Reimer and Apprentices Kevin Johnson and Forrest Reynolds,Avista Corp.(two letters were received)

WEST vIRgInIAGeneral Foreperson Mike Bolen, Foreperson Willy Wilson and Crew,Appalachian Power Co.Notification Person Kathy Cottrell, for her excellent customer service skills,FirstEnergy/Mon Power

WIScOnSInJohn Holmes and Trimmer Derek Lewis, Shawn Petsch and Inocente Ramires, Xcel Energy

STORM WORKOctober – Superstorm Sandy

Pat Disley and Dave Viveiros, and Groundpersons Darren Regini and Dave Vassar,Connecticut Light & Power (CT)General Foreperson Margaret Samela and Crews,Wallingford Public Utilities (CT)Supervisor Paul Arno, General Forepersons Nate Baker, Greg Bath, Mike Towle and Jake Trudelle, and Crews (NH),Connecticut Light & Power (CT)

ArborMetrics Solutions Work Planner Tom Hollingsworth and Crews (OH),Connecticut Light & Power (CT)Supervisor Billy Campbell, General Foreperson Ron Fountain and Crews (SC),Connecticut Light & Power (CT)Foreperson Gene Ouellet, Sr. and Crews (VT),Liberty Utilities (NH)General Foreperson Ron McGinnis, Crew Leader Bob Floyd, Trimmer Keith Reed and Groundperson Tonya Erb,FirstEnergy/Jersey Central Power & Light (NJ)Donny Feathers and Glen Smith, and Journeyman David Rhodes (WV),First Energy/Jersey Central Power & Light (NJ)General Foreperson Chad Bailey, Permissions Person Jimmy Davis and Crews (AL),LIPA/National Grid (NY)Joshua Volf and Crew (AL),LIPA/National Grid (NY)Supervisor Sam Patchett, General Foreperson Jeffrey Elliott, Sr., Forepersons Alvin Bales, John Castelow, Jonathan Denny, Paul Dixon, Travis Handy, Natanael Lebron, William Lewis, Scott Lynch and Aaron Moore, and Crews (DE, MD and KY),LIPA/National Grid (NY)Ray Miller, Journeyman Don McClellan and Crews (FL),Con Edison (NY)Supervisor Emilio Perez, General Foreperson Deogracio Rodriguez, Forepersons Jean Alexandre, Eribert Cius,

From an e-mail to Vice President Larry Kirk concerning the work of a crew under General Foreperson Tony Garst and Foreperson David Ramey for Appalachian Power Co. in Virginia:

“... This crew took down a tree that was huge, with enclosed power lines and has been a problem for several years. The men on this crew were the most polite, well-mannered and friendly crew I have ever met. They did a huge job in a very timely manner and removed all the debris and brush from my property. I wanted to let you know ... what an example they are to represent your company.”

Robby Young

From an e-mail to Manager Dan Duncan in Connecticut regarding the crews of Forepersons Pat Disley and Dave Viveiros during the Superstorm Sandy storm restoration:

“... We had a particularly tenuous situation ... with an ash tree of epic proportions that had uprooted and become entangled in utility wires. ... A major concern was the tension on the wires. ... Again, with the experience and training of your men, tragedy was avoided. ... You should be proud to have employees of this caliber representing your interests.”

Douglas Reese, Superintendent of Operations, Town of Coventry



Claudain Duroque, Ifocsa Federic, Frederic Johnson, Remy Pettithomme, Joseph Pierre and Roberto Rocha, and Crews (FL), LIPA/National Grid (NY)Trimmer Brittian Flowers and Crews (GA),LIPA/National Grid (NY)General Forepersons Scott Hodge and James Rowland, Forepersons Jerry Campbell, Daniel Cox, Mark Pogue, John Richardson and Tim “Tiny” Tatum, Trimmers Hunter Cox, Obediah “OB” Harris, Derek Joyce and Dennis Schebler, Equipment Operator Klaus Taylor and Groundpersons Armando DeSoto and Josh Mathis (GA), LIPA/National Grid (NY)Rick Pierce, Trimmer Chris McCoy and Groundperson Jimmy Pagel (KY), LIPA/National Grid (NY)Marco Castillo and Crew,LIPA/National Grid (NY)Asplundh Construction Mechanic Mark Ferri and Journeyman Mechanic Ronnie Tusa,LIPA/National Grid (NY)General Foreperson Dan Griffiths and Crews, NYSEG (NY)General Foreperson Jeff Kuhn and Trimmers Dave Kerns and Jesse Kuhn,LIPA/National Grid (NY)General Foreperson John Rader, Foreperson Nathan Scaduto and Trimmer Tracey Moore (OH),LIPA/National Grid (NY)

American Electrical Testing Co. Regional Manager Mike Schacker and Test Technicians Stephan Andrzejewski, Angel Davila, Jay Devers, Angelo Digangi, Bob Herrmann, John Michalski and Mike Normandy,New York Power Authority (NY)General Foreperson Zach Foley and Crew (PA),LIPA/National Grid (NY)Supervisor Mark Williams and Crews (TN),LIPA/National Grid (NY)Saul Aguilar, Chris Argilan, Gustavo Bolanos, Jess Beall, Timmy Lee Cave, Edwin Gutierrez, Mike Hilliard, Steve Hosaflook, Brandon Moomaw, Jess Rhinehart, Dwayne Rosser, James Rosser, William Sandy, Chris Taylor and William Tharpe (VA), LIPA/National Grid (NY)General Foreperson Keith Martz, Forepersons Brad Collins, Christian Cowell, Anthony Standish and Chris Vinal, Trimmers Travis Blake, Troy Guertin, Joshua Hartwell and Josh Randall, and Groundpersons Joe Logan and William Cowell, (VT)LIPA/National Grid (NY)General Foreperson Johnny Hunt and Crews,Duke Energy (NC)General Forepersons Bartolome Garcia (IL), Brent Winfree and John Wright (KS), Wilson Wood (NM) and Thien Adams (TX),PPL Electric Utilities (PA)

General Foreperson Dave Irwin, Foreperson John Stonelake and Trimmer Andrew Lester,PPL Electric Utilities (PA)Office Manager Laura Bolger and Supervisor Keith Carrier,Verizon (PA)General Foreperson Jeremy Compton, Forepersons Jeff Compton, Justin Compton, Chris Hunsicker, Adam Marencik, Andrew Messer, and Kyle Wentz, Trimmer Chris Dewalt and Crews, PPL Electric Utilities (PA)Yamil Diaz and Trimmers Juan E. Arreguin, Beruabe Cruz and Elias Mourani,PECO (PA)Chris Hunsicker and Angel Velazquez, and Trimmers Kevin Wernett and Jack Whiteman,PPL Electric Utilities (PA)Tommy Marx and Jolian Zerrato, Trimmer Chris Dewalt and Permissions Person Bob Collier,PPL Electric Utilities (PA)General Foreperson Max Bendix, Forepersons Hilde Enamorado, David Shea, Danny Turner and Shane Weyer, Trimmers John Naylor and Thomas Parks, Journeymen Jessie Enamorado, James Shreaves, Brian Sterling and Marcus Thomas, and Groundpersons Bo Brady and Pat Walker,A&N Electric Cooperative (VA)General Foreperson Darryl Roy and Crews,FirstEnergy/Mon Power (WV)

November – Nor’easter

General Foreperson Rick McKinney, Crew Leaders Robert Bowser, Sr. and Jamie Shaffer, and Crews,First Energy/Jersey Central Power & Light (NJ)

December – Ice Storm

General Forepersons Randy Brabham and Carolyn McNabb, and Crews (LA),Entergy (AR)General Forepersons Greg Chapple, Jared Rumfelt (MO), Gary Redden (LA) and Heradio Sosa (TX), and Permissions Persons Jose Bautista and Luis Suarez (TX), Entergy (AR)General Foreperson Garry Redden and Crews,Entergy (AR)

February – Winter Storm Nemo

General Forepersons Jennifer Cristea, David Hernandez, William “Floyd” Marlow, Anthony Pinelli, Anthony Preast and Ron Tucker (PA),National Grid (MA)General Foreperson Cletus Hottle, Foreperson Steve Hosaflook and Crews (VA),NSTAR (MA)

March – Winter Storm

Cody Walters, Trimmer Daniel Diaz and Groundperson Antonio Lizama, for helping to push a car that got stuck in deep snow,AEP Ohio

From an e-mail to Manager Wilmer McWhirter concerning the storm work his Georgia crews under General Forepersons Scott Hodge and James Rowland in Long Island, NY after Superstorm Sandy:

“... [The crews] were always professional, hard working, never complained about the conditions and always worked safely. These men not only made sure that everything they did was done safely, they always made sure that I was protected. You see, I do not have any electric field experience, so they always made sure that I was safe. ... I feel like I now have 15 brothers.”

Mario Carlino, Principal Engineer, LIPA/National Grid

From an e-mail to Manager Don Redden in Louisiana regarding the work of crews under General Forepersons Randy Brabham and Carolyn McNabb after a major snow storm in Arkansas:

“Every major storm event I work, one group of tree trimmers will rise to the challenge and do an outstanding job for me. ... During our winter storm in Arkansas last week, your group ... did an exceptional job for me here in Little Rock. They were thorough and conscientious in their work. ... I can’t say enough good things about this group. They are welcome back here anytime.”

Bryan Rogers, Central Arkansas Veg. Mgmt., Entergy Arkansas


30yEARS

25yEARSBenny BiceForeperson

Alabama

Michael BredicePermissions Person

Washington

Lonny BridgesPermissions Person

Alabama

Ernest BrinkerForeperson

Ohio

Michael BrockGeneral Foreperson

South Carolina

Pamela CollinsOffice Manager

New York

Ricky CrowderGroundperson

Tennessee

Michael DavisonGeneral Foreperson

Colorado

Bruce FooteAsst. General Foreperson

Massachusetts

Keith GardnerForeperson

Ohio

Jose GutierrezUtility Forester

ArborMetrics SolutionsCalifornia

Frederic JohnsonForeperson

Florida

Sue JurinaManager

Office PersonnelWillow Grove

Mick KavranRegional Advisor

Washington

Leon KeelForeperson

Utility Lines Construction ServicesMississippi

Edwin KnickerbockerTrimmer

New York

Larry Mason, Jr.Foreperson

Virginia

Scott MillerForepersonTennessee

Keith MittlesteadtTrimmer

Wisconsin

Keven MooreGeneral Foreperson

Washington

Gary PalmerForepersonMinnesota

John RomanowskiGeneral Foreperson

Asplundh ConstructionPennsylvania

Tony SandferForepersonKentucky

Ralph SchneiderForepersonWisconsin

Daniel StokesForeperson

Florida

Jimmie TonkinTrimmer

West Virginia

Scott WoodrowForepersonNew York

Billy CampbellSupervisor

South Carolina

Steve CarterForeperson

Virginia

Roger Haskiell, Jr.Foreperson

West Virginia

Orval JenkinsPermissions Person

Alabama

Bernadette KobolSupervisor

Field AccountingWillow Grove

Robert Lagonegro, Jr.ForepersonPennsylvania

Donna MealoTechnician

Customer & Field LiaisonWillow Grove

William PughGeneral Foreperson

Virginia

Randy WilliamsForeperson

Georgia

Virgil WilsonJourneyman

West Virginia


20yEARSCharles Adams

General ForepersonLouisiana

Benjamin AlvarezForeperson

Texas

Wendy AndersonSupervisor

HR/BenefitsWillow Grove

Brian BeckForeperson

North Carolina

Ralph BryantLead Engineer

Asplundh ConstructionNew York

Jeff BurlesonForeperson

Alabama

Scott CampbellGeneral Foreperson

Oklahoma

Cirilo CanalesTrimmer

Texas

Timothy ClarkGeneral Foreperson

Florida

Peter CollarPermissions Person

West Virginia

Donna ConardAP Specialist

Accounts PayableWillow Grove

Colleen CriminsInput Operator

PayrollWillow Grove

Monty DanielsForepersonArkansas

Terry EisenhartForepersonPennsylvania

Ignacio Gutierrez, Jr.Utility Forester


James HintonGeneral Foreperson

Indiana

Jim HorrocksForepersonWashington

James JohnsonPermissions Person

Alabama

James KilgallonForepersonPennsylvania

Zeke KlompManager

Tennessee

Jackie LauverShop Teamleader

Arborchem ProductsPennsylvania

Roger ListerForeperson

Maine

Richard LovettForepersonMaryland

William MaxwellForeperson

Asplundh Brush ControlNew York

Charles MiddletonGeneral Foreperson

Mississippi

Robert OliverForepersonPennsylvania

John RaderGeneral Foreperson

Ohio

Ronald ReddenGeneral Foreperson

Louisiana

Brian RobertsForeperson

New Hampshire

Miguel RodriguezGeneral Foreperson

Virgin Islands

SERvIcE ANNIversArIes

January – June 1963, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988 and 1993

Jack Johnston, Jr.General Foreperson

Ohio

Steve KershmanRSS

Colorado

40yEARS

Neil BradshawForepersonPennsylvania

John G. AdamsGeneral ForepersonAsplundh Brush Control

Missouri

Ned LandisGeneral Foreperson

Pennsylvania

James PowellGeneral Foreperson

Kentucky

Samuel McClainGeneral Foreperson

South Carolina

Donald GardnerCrew LeaderPennsylvania

Donnie ConnerForepersonKentucky

Peter KonenTrimmer

Wisconsin

Harry Stock, Jr.General Foreperson

Pennsylvania

James ThompsonForeperson

Virginia

35yEARS

Terry MurrayForeperson

Alabama

Terry McFarlanGeneral Foreperson

West Virginia

Michael ClarkGeneral Foreperson

Hawaii

Michael BurleyForeperson

Ohio

Kenny GearinWork Planner

Ohio

Kenneth HerroldForepersonPennsylvania

Ronald KasiskyGeneral Forperson

Pennsylvania

Jonathan HowellsForepersonPennsylvania

Joseph KasiskyJourneymanPennsylvania

Doug McClurePermissions Person

Alabama

Danny NealForeperson

Ohio

David NicholasGeneral Foreperson

Pennsylvania

Dan StubbsSupervisor

Ohio

Jerry RexrodeForeperson

West Virginia

Eddie WebbGeneral Foreperson

North Carolina

Christopher B. Asplundh, Sr.Chairman of the Board

Willow Grove

50yEARS


u A Buzz In Duryea—When a hive of over 10,000 honey bees in a catalpa tree became a nuisance to a neighborhood in Duryea, Pennsylvania, Streets Supervisor

Gino Marriggi realized that the colony needed to be relocated. He contacted PPL Utilities to see if they could remove the tree without harming the hive. PPL brought in

Asplundh General Foreperson Joe Kasisky, Foreperson Martin Kulp, Journeyman

Earl Faulkner and Apprentice Spencer McCloskey of the Larry Gauger Region to

perform the tree removal. After the location of the hive in the trunk was determined by a bee keeper, the crew carefully

sectioned the tree, then used PPL’s crane to remove the trunk containing the hive. The work was completed safely and the colony is happy in its new home.

cREWS & News

p Owlet And Nest Secured By Asplundh—A late summer storm knocked a Great Horned owlet and part of its nest out of a tree in New Berlin, Wisconsin. The volunteers at the Wildlife in Need Center (WINC) arrived on site, but the tree was too difficult to climb. They contacted We Energies, thinking an aerial lift was the answer, but the driveway near the tree was too fragile to park the lift on. So, General Foreperson Bart Miller and Planner Steve Squires of the Joe Schneider Region were called in to help. They skillfully climbed the tree, secured a wicker laundry basket in the tree to act as a nest, then safely placed the owlet and its sibling into their new home.

p The Spirit of Giving Thrives in the Giordano Region—When the employees in the Frank Giordano Region of Asplundh Construction Corp. (ACC) in New York were personally impacted by the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy, they dug in deep and gave even more to help others. As they worked long hours to help LIPA/National Grid’s storm restoration efforts, these folks held a food drive and fund-raiser to provide relief to the communities impacted by the storm. Employees came together at a holiday luncheon and raised $3,700 for the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which provides support to those whose homes were damaged and/or lost their belongings during Superstorm Sandy. u Contract Administrator Patty Kelly and System Compliance Curtis Small also organized a food drive for Island Harvest. Shown above is just a fraction of the more than 3,000 lbs. ACC collected.

p Portland Crews Recycle Holiday Greenery—Portland General Electric Forester Patrick Donovin (far R) joined with (L to R) Asplundh General Foreperson Zach Bertalot and Forepersons Donato Parkerson, Aaron House and Nick Thompson as they volunteered their time over the January 12 weekend to chip Christmas trees and greenery for the Portland Organic Society. Instead of winding up in a landfill, the Christmas decorations are recycled as wood mulch that is beneficial to gardens and tree plantings, or can be used as a ground cover.

cOMMunITysErVICE

t Illinois Crews Do Feed The Animals—The Jeff Ness Region in Illinois and ComEd have teamed up to provide tree trimmings for the animals at the Brookfield Zoo. Certain trees, such as mulberry, maple and willow, provide a healthy and desirable

food source. Asplundh crews under General Foreperson Freddy Bracero and Brian Hartmann put the trimmings from these trees aside and deliver approximately 45 cubic yards a week to the zoo from May through October. It’s a brilliant and environmentally-responsible way to reuse the materials.

(L to R): RSS Joe McManus, Vice President Frank Giordano, Safety & QC Supervisor Vinny “Santa” Brandi and QA/QC Joe Blazejewski helped raise money for the Robin Hood Relief Fund.


20yEARSMargaret SamelaGeneral Foreperson

Connecticut

Troy SettersJourneyman

Indiana

Minard SeveranceForeperson

Maine

David SimmonsGeneral Foreperson

North Carolina

David SliwinskiForepersonPennsylvania

Scott SmithForepersonNew York

Jesus SorianoUtility Forester


Raymond SpenceTrimmerVirginia

Benjamin StinsonGeneral Foreperson

Musgrove ConstructionAlabama

Brian TompkinsGeneral Foreperson

New York

Wayne VanakenCrew LeaderNew York

Cloyd Varner, Jr.ForepersonPennsylvania

Pete WhiteForepersonNew York

Leo WoodenForeperson

Missouri

Kevin YowellGeneral Foreperson

Missouri

t Vice President Mel Riley (L) was presented with a specially-engraved watch and a handshake of appreciation for 30 years of outstanding service by Executive Vice President Brent Asplundh (R) at the 2013 Managers’ Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. In November 1982, Mel joined Asplundh in Texas as a general foreperson with eight years of previous line clearance experience. Two years later, he advanced to supervisor. In 1987, Mel was promoted to division manager in Missouri, where he also worked to expand Asplundh’s utility construction services with the acquisitions of three construction companies. This hard work and initiative led to Mel being named a vice president in 1988. He continues to oversee utility line clearance operations for various investor-owned, municipal and cooperative customers in Kansas and parts of Missouri and Colorado. Over the years, Mel has been recognized for outstanding performance, controlling operating costs and storm response.

30-yEARwatCHEs

t Vice President Mike Zehler (L) and several customers from National Grid in New York took Forestry Consultant Dino Elwood (R) out for a festive lunch to recognize his 30 years of loyal service to Asplundh. After lunch, Mike had the honor of presenting him with a specially-engraved watch as a token of gratitude. Dino began his Asplundh career in November 1982 as a groundperson on National Grid property. About five years later, he was promoted to foreperson. Dino continued to work in New York for National Grid and a variety of customers including New York State Electric & Gas and Orange & Rockland before being promoted to general foreperson in 2006. He accepted a regional safety superintendent position, then was promoted to corporate safety supervisor in the Home Office in Willow Grove in 2010. When the Safety Operations Department was reorganized in 2011, Dino returned home to the Mike Zehler Region in New York as a forestry consultant for National Grid, where he continues to do a great job today.

u At a holiday luncheon for the Accounts Payable (AP) Department last December, AP Manager Sue Mann (R) had the pleasure of recognizing AP Specialist Karen Bush (L) for her 30 years of dedicated

service. Along with congratulations from her co-workers, Karen received a specially-engraved watch from Sue to mark the occasion. Karen joined Asplundh in 1982 as a temp in the Benefits Department. A few

months later, a check writer’s position opened in the AP Department and she was selected to fill the vacancy in December 1982. She has worked in AP ever since, in just about every capacity that you can

imagine, which brings true meaning to her “specialist” title. Currently, Karen works with over 30 regions in several Asplundh subsidiary companies to keep their bills paid accurately and on time.



p February 2013 GFTP—On February 18-22, the General Foreperson Training Program (GFTP) was conducted by Field Personnel Manager Joe Lee. Held at the Home Office in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, the participants were (back row, L to R): John Bablitch, Wisconsin; Aaron Benavides, Texas; R.B. Roberts, South Carolina; Gary Martz, Pennsylvania; and Leon Case, Jr., Louisiana. In the middle row were (L to R): Jake Trudelle, New Hampshire; Branden Peters, Arizona; Scott Raber, Pennsylvania; Van Gallman, North Carolina; John Geyer, Oregon; Kevin Parent, Massachusetts; and Derek Nichols, Maryland. Seated in front were (L to R): Rodney Carey, Oklahoma; Caleb Marlin, Missouri; Roy Burrows, Sr., Pennsylvania; and Josh DeWulf, Michigan.

p October 2012 MLA—On October 9-12, 2012, the Management Leadership Academy (MLA) was held in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania for supervisors and managers from across the United States. CEO Scott Asplundh (center) stopped by the training, led by Field Personnel Manager Joe Lee, with assistance from Chuck Hitzemann of Positive Growth International. The attendees were (standing, L to R): Shawn Shapiro, New Jersey; John Devlin, New York; Kevin Kasal, Iowa; Eric Stall, California; Tim Blankenship, West Virginia; CEO Scott Asplundh; Sam Patchett, Maryland; Carlos DeLaTorre, Florida; Darhl Trail, Maryland; and Keith Confere, Ohio. Kneeling in the front were (L to R): Saul Mancera, Illinois; and Matt Pence, North Carolina.

p March 2013 GFTP—Field Personnel Manager Joe Lee hosted another General Foreperson Training Program (GFTP) group on March 11-15 at the Home Office in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The attendees were (front row, L to R): Jose Maldonado, Blume Tree Service, Tennessee; David Kuhn, Ohio; Chuck Terrell, California; Art Ortiz, Illinois; Floyd Marcum, Indiana; Joshua Johnson, Delaware; Bobby Mobley, Kentucky; and Mark Smith, Florida. In the back row were (L to R): Jason Hughes, Oklahoma; Phil Hogan, Jr., Pennsylvania; Joe Scarpato, III, Pennsylvania; Jared Rumfelt, Missouri; David Stickley, Jr., Maryland; Tony Schooley, Kansas; Tim Steele, Indiana; and Pat Brown, South Carolina.

p UtiliCon MPDP—Field Personnel Manager Joe Lee, along with Chuck Hitzemann of Positive Growth International, hosted a Management Professional Development Program (MPDP) for selected employees of UtiliCon Solutions, Ltd. subsidiaries on October 16-19, 2012 in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. The participants were (standing, L to R): Rick Chrissley, ULCS, North Carolina; Gene Nichols, ULCS, Delaware; Fritz Matthews, Grid One, Pennsylvania; Jim Marsh, ULCS, Alabama; Bruce Rockwell, AETCO, New Jersey; Ricky Smithson, ULCS, Maryland; Jamie Caldwell, ULCS, Georgia; Brian Delmonico, ACC, Ohio; Mike Ward, Grid One, New Jersey; and UtiliCon Sr. Vice President Greg Holman. Kneeling in the front were (L to R): Rodney LeBeau, ULCS, Michigan; and Charlie Davis, Grid One, Pennsylvania.

p Austin Energy Training Day—On October 24-25, 2012, Austin Energy and Asplundh held their annual two-day training event for employees in the Allen LeBlanc Region and all Austin Energy inspectors under Utility Forestry Manager Ray Henning. The first day consisted of classroom training and exercises, then the group headed to Walnut Creek Park in Austin for additional safety training organized by Superintendent Bruce Didriksen. The participants brushed up on a variety of skills, including job site set-up, fire fighting, tree and bucket rescue, chipper safety and an aerial lift inspection course led by Equipment Training and Inspection Supervisor Greg Homiller of the Home Office.

p January 2013 UGFTP—The first General Foreperson Training Program (GFTP) of 2013 was held at the Home Office on January 7-11 for UtiliCon Solutions personnel. Led by Field Personnel Manager Joe Lee, the graduates were (front row, L to R): Dave Lambert, ULCS, Maryland; Mike Jinks, ULCS, Michigan; Jim Glad, ULCS, Iowa; Mike Puckett, ULCS, Maryland; and Gerry Cabrera, ACC, California. Standing in the back row were (L to R): Rocky Hall, Highlines, Louisiana; Wes Touchet, Highlines, Louisiana; Pete Hooft, ULCS, North Carolina; and Dave Pesta, ALS, North Carolina.

TRAInIngtImEs OnTHEJob

p Crash Pad Is A Lawn Saver—We all know that homeowners’ lawns can suffer dents and ruts as pruned branches and tree trunks from line clearance work fall to the ground. On October 16, 2012, Foreperson Maxwell McAuliffe and Groundperson Riley Jones of the Dan Duncan Region went the extra mile to protect the lawn of a Western Massachusetts Electric Co. customer in Whatley, Massachusetts by creating a “crash pad.” The crash pad was made from the tree’s limbs as they were removed by the crew. Then the crew skillfully felled the remaining trunk to land on top of the pad, thus preventing unnecessary damage to the lawn. It’s just one of the many ways our crews go the extra mile to keep our utility customers, and their customers, happy.

ProcERTIfIcATIOnSCongratulations to the following Asplundh employees who have gone the extra mile to better themselves and earn professional development certifications:

ISA Certified Arborist®

project Management professional®

Charlie Amos

Mark Brillo

Keith Carrier

Caleb Crofford

Bob Forstburg

Jeremy Fox

Jason Hughes

Greg Kulp

Ron McCauley

Shannon Moore

Russell Pool

Duane Sundberg

Lee Taylor

Jody Terwilliger

Beige Turner

Lon Nutter

t Last fall, Foreperson Tom Fantin from the Keith Confere Region harvested this beautiful buck in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The buck’s rack was measured and scored a 172 with the Buckeye Big Buck Club. When not out hunting, Tom can be found overseeing a crew working on the AEP Ohio system.

SpORTSMEn’SCornEr

u General Foreperson Roger Semeraro took down this 10-point 210-lb. buck while

hunting in Maine in November 2012. Roger works in the Dan

Duncan Region on Connecticut Light & Power property.

p Tight Spots Are No Problem For Spider Lift—The Keith Confere Region has a new tool to battle vegetation encroaching on power lines—the spider lift! It’s actually a Skylift Super Arborist 55 aerial lift that gets its creepy name from its four outrigger “legs” that provide stability when the lift is deployed. AEP Ohio Forestry Supervisor Mike Chedester sent in the photo above taken near Tiffin, Ohio to show how this small, nimble lift can get the job done in the tightest locations or in areas where access is an issue. Crews under Supervisor Elijah Gilliam and General Foreperson Dale Brown are now using these smaller aerial lifts on ash trees that have been damaged by the Emerald Ash Borer on AEP Ohio property.

RETIREES HoNored

Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement to all the Asplundh retirees listed here!

SpEcIAlrEtIrEmEntHOnORS


Michael AbramCrew Leader, IndianaFirst employed September 1998Retired December 2012

Roger BarneycastleJourneyman, VirginiaFirst employed August 2002Retired November 2012

Robert Belden, Jr.Foreperson, WisconsinFirst employed March 2005Retired March 2013

Michael BoxxRailroad DivisionGeneral Foreperson, MississippiFirst employed June 1969Retired February 2013

Edward CastleForeperson, OhioFirst employed August 2009Retired February 2013

Kent CollinsTrimmer, OregonFirst employed May 1991Retired February 2013

William DagenhartForeperson, PennsylvaniaFirst employed May 1996Retired March 2013

Jack DonahueUtility Lines Construction ServicesField Technician, MichiganFirst employed March 2009Retired January 2013

Russell DrewTrimmer/Climber, Texas

First employed February 1970Retired February 2013

Pete FenglerMunicipal DivisionManager, PennsylvaniaFirst employed July 1986Retired January 2013

Donald GeresyUtility Lines Construction ServicesOperator/EMJ, MichiganFirst employed June 2004Retired January 2013

Ramon GomezForeperson, CaliforniaFirst employed April 1997Retired March 2013

Joe GuerreroAsplundh Construction Corp.Region Director, CaliforniaFirst employed November 2000Retired January 2013

Ted GuyantForeperson, DelawareFirst employed November 1976Retired February 2013

Fred HallUtility Lines Construction ServicesField Technician, FloridaFirst employed March 2009Retired January 2013

Daryl HansonTrimmer, MaineFirst employed January 1980Retired March 2013

Wayne HeimUtility Lines Construction Services

Foreperson, IowaFirst employed September 2008Retired March 2013

Cornell Johnson, Sr.Grid One SolutionsForeperson, MarylandFirst employed June 2003Retired January 2013

Steven JurewichUtility Lines Construction ServicesOperator/EMJ, MichiganFirst employed May 2006Retired January 2013

Ronald MohneyUtility Lines Construction ServicesOperator/EMJ, MichiganFirst employed September 2003Retired January 2013

Eddie PittsForeperson, LouisianaFirst employed August 1997Retired February 2013

Willie RichardsSupervisor, HawaiiFirst employed February 1982Retired October 2012

Benito SanchezForeperson, TexasFirst employed October 1993(plus 8 years with Blume Tree)Retired February 2013

Nicholas ScelsiGrid One SolutionsForeperson, MarylandFirst employed June 2003Retired January 2013

Jimmy TackettForeperson, KentuckyFirst employed April 1984Retired December 2012

James Tasch, Jr.Foreperson, PennsylvaniaFirst employed March 2001Retired January 2013

Henry TomlinGeneral Foreperson, TennesseeFirst employed December 1997Retired January 2013

Bennett TurleyUtility Lines Construction ServicesOperator/EMJ, MichiganFirst employed January 2004Retired January 2013

Ricky VaughanGeneral Foreperson, VirginiaFirst employed February 2001Retired February 2013

Daniel WhislerUtility Lines Construction ServicesEquipment Specialist, MichiganFirst employed January 2004Retired February 2013

William ZachmanAsplundh Construction Corp.Mechanic, New YorkFirst employed August 2008Retired February 2013

Ralph ZehringRailroad DivisionGeneral Foreperson, TennesseeFirst employed March 1977Retired February 2013

pete fengler, manager of the Asplundh Municipal Division and 27-year company veteran, stepped into the honored ranks of the retired on January 5. He probably won’t miss his daily commute from New Jersey, but he will surely enjoy more time with his wife, Pat, and family!

Pete started working for Asplundh in 1986 as an urban forestry consultant with four years of consulting experience as a partner in Fengler and Lovallo Tree Experts in New Jersey. He joined the Municipal Division full-time in 1987 as a supervisor and was promoted to manager eight years later. Primarily responsible for assisting the field in developing and maintaining operations with municipal utilities and agencies, Pete also capably served several years on the Storm Coordination team. At a special gathering of Willow Grove co-workers, Pete was presented with a farewell cake and thanked for his contributions to the company. Joining Pete (front and center) for a photo were (L to R) Technical Services Assistant Bridgit Monaghan, Vice President/Technical Services Jim Orr, Director of Corporate Strategy John McNamee, Operations Support Manager Victor Sirvydas and Municipal Division Assistant Phyllis Visco. Here’s to a healthy, happy and active retirement, Pete!


t Some children like to dress up like princesses or pirates. Morghan, 3, likes to take after her father, Foreperson Paul Scarberry, by putting on his PPE. As you can see here, Morghan dressed up in her father’s hard hat, vest and safety glasses. Paul works in the Steve Bostock Region in Alabama where he oversees a crew on Decatur Utilities’ property.

famIlyAlbuM

t Kevin Blount, the manager of Blume Tree Service in Memphis, Tennessee, has double the reasons to celebrate. His twin daughters, Tracey (L) and Michelle (R) both graduated from college in December 2012. Tracey received a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies, 4-8 Mathematics from Texas State University. Michelle graduated from Louisiana State University with a BS in Industrial Engineering and a minor in Business Administration.

t Chris Vinal sent in this photo of his son, Blaine, 5, as he posed by his father’s work truck proudly wearing the hard hat given to him by General Foreperson Ed Cote. With that ear-to-ear grin on his face, Chris believes Blaine could be in the next generation of tree trimmers. Chris is a foreperson on Green

Mountain Power property in the Ralph Guadagno Region of Vermont.

t ( L to R): Brad Burns, David Clarke, David Zensea, Michael James and Scott McSweeney of Asplundh Australia completed the Tough Mudder obstacle course last fall. Our guys “down under” proved that

they had the grit, stamina and teamwork needed to complete the 10-12 mile course designed by British Special Forces.

u General Superintendent

Josh Lamb of the Jerry

Kensinger Region in Texas was

away serving on the Superstorm

Sandy restoration in Connecticut for his birthday

on November 4, 2012. When he returned home his wife, Crystal, surprised him with a belated birthday party complete with a beautifully decorated

aerial lift truck cake. The reasons to work safely don’t get much sweeter than this! When not helping on storm restoration duty, Josh oversees transmission

crews on SWEPCO property.

u Home Office Employees of the Month—Another

round of helpful, friendly employees in the Home Office in Willow Grove,

Pennsylvania were recognized for going

above and beyond to support the field.

Pictured (L to R): Kim Bock of HR/Benefits

was recognized in December 2012; Maureen Cruice of Supply Chain Management became

the first Employee of the Month in January 2013; Kevin Wilson of Field Personnel won in February; Jeff Powell of CFL was honored in March; and

Rosa Pulgar of CFL/Input Billing was presented with the award in April. Congratulations and keep up the great work!

HOMEoffICEHOnORSt Home Office Employee of the Year—Christine Mayer, a technician in the Customer & Field Liaison (CFL) Department, was named the 2012 Home Office Employee of the Year at the Holiday Assembly on December 13. For her hard work and phenomenal service to the field, CFL Manager Lesley Katz had the pleasure of presenting Christine with a $1,000 prize, a specially-engraved plaque, an Asplundh jacket and a bouquet of roses.

Christine joined Asplundh in March 1997 as an input operator in the Input Department. Less

than a year later, she accepted a technician position in PC Billing (now the CFL Department), where she continues to do an outstanding job today.

pROducT r e v I e w

nEW

bETTER safEty, aCCEss And morE


The Forestry Defense Package from Earthborne in Warrington, Pennsylvania turns the JCB Compact Tracked Loader into a fortress. Already the world’s safest tracked loader, the JCB with

The Forestry Defense Package, includes additional safety features and top-notch attachments, protecting both the operator and the machine while also offering superior performance.

JCB designed the first compact tracked loader with a left side entry door, allowing the operator to easily enter and exit the machine safely without having to climb over the attachment. It also offers an unparalleled 270° of visibility, 60% more than that offered by ordinary skid steers.

EASy MAInTEnAncEMore accessibility means less downtime. JCB’s forward tilting cab

design allows for easy access to the machine’s power train and hydraulic components.

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that does not require an exhaust gas after-treatment to meet the new Tier 4i (T4i) emissions requirements. The JCB uses a highly-efficient combustion method that eliminates the need to heat the exhaust to extreme temperatures in order to burn excess soot caught by exhaust filters.

• With the clean-burn design, there’s reduced risk of starting a fire.

• The JCB’s lower operating temperature eliminates the need for costly heat-resistant engine oils.

• The JCB does not require diesel exhaust fluid, which means less maintenance and more savings.

TOp-nOTcH ATTAcHMEnTSThe Bradco Magnum MM60 II mulcher offers reversible carbide teeth.

This feature gives you an additional set of 44 teeth, which doubles the operating life and minimizes downtime. The staggered cutting teeth design yields a smoother, rhythmic cut, which causes less engine pull down and lowers machine vibration. A variety of other attachments are available.

And MORE ...• Largest cab in the industry by 33% (49 cubic feet)• Longest run time on one tank of fuel• 13 grease points, an average of 40% less than other skid steers

Several of these machines are already working in the field for Asplundh, with more on the way. For videos of the JCB in action and a full brochure, visit www.earthborneinc.com/forestry300T.htm. To schedule a demo, contact Doug Taylor at [email protected] or call (215) 651-3753.

yOuR SupplIER fOR All EQuIpMEnT

fROM

p Side entrance door allows for safer, easier access.

t The 15,000 lb. capacity winch offers excellent angle of departure of 28.7°. Its swing-out style mount makes daily checks and routine maintenance easy tasks.

p Manufactured in Savannah, Georgia, the JCB is retrofitted by Earthborne in Warrington, Pennsylvania. USA-made all the way!

INMEMORIAM

Executive Vice President Gregg Asplundh (L) recently paid a visit to Connecticut and presented a special retirement gift to Permissions Person Ken Cunningham (center) who was Gregg’s first foreperson when he began working in the field in 1986. Manager Dan Duncan (R), who has known Ken for over 30 years, joined in congratulating him on his dedication and professionalism ever since he first started with Asplundh in 1974. With his many years of experience as a foreperson over climbing, bucket and spray crews, Dan said that Ken was always the ‘go-to’ guy for special projects, including the training of a future Asplundh executive! Best wishes for a relaxing retirement, Ken!

MORErEtIrEmEntHOnORS

bill Robinson, retired manager in Ohio and 37-year veteran of the company, passed away on February 18 at the age of 80.

The son of W.E. “Shorty” Robinson, an Asplundh pioneer, Bill first joined the company in 1951, but left two years later to attend the University of Cincinnati and start his own company. He returned to Asplundh full-time in 1960, working

in Ohio and then Indiana. With a promotion to supervisor in 1969, Bill settled in Ohio and was named manager of Asplundh operations in 1993. He retired for health reasons two years later. Bill is survived by his wife; a son; three daughters; 12 grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. We send our deep sympathy to Bill’s family and friends.

Harry “Kent” Suddreth, retired general foreperson and father of Vice President Barry Suddreth, passed away on March 16 at the age of 69.

Kent first came to work for Asplundh in his home state of North Carolina in the late 1950s, but he officially started full-time in 1961. Working his entire career on the Duke Energy system, Kent loved the outdoors and climbing, serving as

the foreperson of a manual crew for over 30 years. In addition to four brothers and four sisters, Kent is survived by his long-time friend and mother of his children, Lois; two sons, Harry Kent, Jr. and Barry; three daughters, Teresa, Susan and Beth; and 14 grandchildren. We extend sincere condolences to Kent’s large circle of family and friends.

In a collaboration to improve public safety and reduce tree-caused outages, AEP Ohio Forester Delores Adams complimented the hard work of two crews from the Keith Confere Region who removed 13 huge EAB-killed ash trees from a park in Chillicothe in late January. The crews carefully cut sections so they would land in the designated drop zone at each job site. With the growing EAB threat, utilities are using risk assessment and other tactics to deal with high-priority trees before they fail.

fIgHtINg tHe EAb bATTlEIn the United States, there are an estimated 7.5 billion

ash trees and millions of them can be found along utility transmission and distribution rights-of-way. The Emerald

Ash Borer (EAB), since its official identification as an invasive pest in 2002, has infested and killed millions of ash trees as it has spread outward from its epicenter in Michigan. Its known range now includes an area from Kansas to New Hampshire, as well as the southern parts of Ontario and Quebec in Canada.

Pesticide control for selected trees is an option for some homeowners and cities, although the cost per tree is high, and while biological controls are being carefully introduced, their effectiveness is untested on a large scale. This pest is expected to continue spreading and the vast majority of ash trees in its path are likely to become infested and die.

The number of large dead ash trees within striking distance of electrical conductors is growing every day. In Michigan, ground zero for the EAB infestation, Consumers Energy recently conducted sampling surveys along 490 miles of low voltage distribution lines and found an average of 16 ash danger trees per mile. An estimated 150% increase in tree-related outages is expected without proactive removals of dead ash trees outside the right-of-way.

Utilities and municipalities in EAB-infested states are creating plans of attack (tree risk assessment and mitigation) to avert big losses in reliability and safety. Asplundh has become an experienced soldier in the EAB battle and stands ready to continue the fight!


Frank Robertson/Chillicothe Gazette

International Headquarters708 Blair mill roadwillow grove, PA 19090www.asplundh.com

Prsrt stdu.s. PostAge PAId

PermIt 286sePA 19399

We’re looking for your very best shots of Nature and Work Related subjects. You may submit up to 10 photos total and enter in more than one category. High-resolution digital images (either e-mailed or on disc) are acceptable, as well as color or black and white prints. No cell phone photos or negatives, please. If your photo is selected for the 2014 wall calendar, you will be sent three complimentary copies. Shoot Out winners receive a VISA gift card in place of cash.

Please be sure to include your name, address, phone number and the categories you wish to enter along with a

brief description of each picture. If you send in prints or a disc, please package them carefully. Entries will not be returned unless you specifically request it.

Please submit your entries to:

Asplundh corporate communications 708 blair Mill Road

Willow grove, pA 19090

or e-mail: [email protected] Thank you!

wall CalEndar PHotos duE July 12, 2013

sHoot out dEadlInE sePtemBer 30, 2013

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