For more than 30 years, Arbor Age magazine has been covering new and innovative products, services, technology and research vital to tree care companies, municipal arborists and utility right-of-way maintenance companies
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/605325
6 WINTER 2015 ARBOR AGE www.arborage.com INDUSTRY NEWS Bartlett Tree Experts Vice President and Division Manager Michael Robinson retires After more than 40 years with Bartlett Tree Experts, Michael Robinson retired as vice president and Midwest division manager of Bartlett Tree Experts. Scott Jamieson, currently serving as vice president of corporate partnerships and national recruiting, assumed the role effective October 2015. Robinson joined Bartlett in 1974 as a production worker and held several positions of increasing responsibility including arborist representative and local manager before being promoted to division manager in 1999. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership at the company as well as in the industry as a whole, overseeing sustained sales growth for Bartlett's Midwest operations while actively advocating for responsible tree care practices throughout the region. He has served on the board of directors and numerous committees for the Illinois Arborist Association as well as the board of the TREE Fund. "Mike has had an amazing journey with Bartlett, from dragging brush to managing a region with over $20 million in sales, and I feel lucky to have shared that journey with him," said Robert Bartlett Jr., chairman and CEO of Bartlett Tree Experts. "He's a great example of what you can accomplish here at Bartlett. He's been a dynamic manager and his positive outlook will be missed by all." Robinson has been working closely with Jamieson in preparation for the transition. In reviewing candidates for the role, Jamieson was selected for his proven track record in sales growth and expansion, demonstrated during his 13 years as CEO of The Care of Trees. Jamieson has a long history in the tree care industry and in the Midwest region through his involvement with organizations like Chicago's Openlands, the Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden. He was also named President of the Board for the National Association of Landscape Professionals this past April. Since joining Bartlett in 2008, he has played an integral role in building and maintaining strategic relationships within the industry and with other key green industry organizations. "Like me, Scott worked his way up from an entry- level position and with that background understands how important developing a strong workforce is to success," commented Robinson. "He's invested in the people he works with, which will make this a smooth transition not only for our clients but for the whole Midwest team that is like a family to me." TCI Expo, the world's largest tree care industry trade show and conference, just wrapped its 25th anniversary show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. More than 2,800 tree care professionals from around the world gathered in Pittsburgh for three days of business, safety and arboriculture workshops and seminars; live tree climbing demonstrations; networking opportunities; and the chance to visit more than 200 exhibitors and score great deals on the latest tree care products and services. New this year was an official TCI EXPO app, which attendees used to access up-to-the-minute show information and enhance their conference experience. The TCI Expo app helped attendees create a custom agenda, respond to surveys, network with other attendees, and even share photos on a conversation wall. (If you missed out, you can still download the official app to see all the content that was shared during the show.) In addition to the trade show and conference, TCI Expo hosted a Student Career Days (SCD) event, which drew 182 college and high school arboriculture students from all over the country. Students participated in tree climbing competitions, attended educational seminars, networked with potential employers, and explored career opportunities at a job and internship fair. The competition took place at Allegheny Commons West Park, also home to the National Aviary, which houses exotic birds such as penguins, condors and eagles. TCI Expo 2016 will be held Nov. 10-12, 2016, in Baltimore. TCI Expo celebrates 25th anniversary Husqvarna Group announces new SVP Husqvarna Group has appointed Sofia Axelsson as SVP Group Communications, Brand & Marketing. She will be responsible for a team consisting of Group Staff Corporate Communications and Brand & Marketing. The aim is to further focus on driving an active and consistent overall communication from the Husqvarna Group targeting its main stakeholders, while capturing synergies and share best practices. "During the past few years, Sofia Axelsson has built a strong Group Brand & Marketing function which has supported the new brand-driven approach in the company," said Kai Wärn, president and CEO of Husqvarna Group. "Given the stability in the new Divisional structure and the opportunity to leverage Corporate Communications with the Brand & Marketing function, we have decided to combine these entities under the leadership of Sofia. It will create conditions for synchronizing Group with Divisions and take an even more active role going ahead."