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management program at Unitil.This includes developing corporate poli- cies, strategies and specifications for the vegetation management program, as well as managing contracts and work implementation.I also measure line clearance costs,productivity and effectiveness and track and admin- ister the vegetation management budget.In emergency restoration efforts, I coordinate the movement and acquisition of tree crews and assist the operations area commanders with forestry resource allocation. AA:What are some of the challenges you face on a day-to-day basis, and how do you approach them? Sankowich: The biggest challenge I face on a day-to-day basis is managing safe and effective vegetation management work at the low- est costwhile keeping customer satisfaction high.I am challenged to develop and maintain systems for planning,scheduling and supervising multiple resources across three separate geographic regions, and am challenged to efficiently and effectively meet customer needs and expectations, while managing the vegetation maintenance requirements of the over- head electric transmission and distribution systems. I approach this by breaking down the overall goal into smaller meas- urable pieces and setting targets for each goal to achieve during the year. I make sure to monitor and review the process and keep myself flexible and open to change when it's necessary. I try and keep the outlook positive and use that positive energy to carry the projects forward and keep people motivated. AA: What types of research/data and/or technology do you utilize to better enable yourself to manage trees and vegetation in your utility right-of-ways? Sankowich:We are currently in the process of implementing AA:What types of equipment/machinery do you utilize for managing your utility right-of-ways? Also,do you utilize chemical control methods? Sankowich: Currently our utility right-of-way management is done primary by mechanical means through mowing and hand cutting.We use chemical control methods of cut stump application of herbicides only after hand cutting in an attempt to reduce regrowth and limit increase of stem density.Since I have been system arborist,we are moving toward an integrated vegetation management approach and plan to use other herbicide control methods in the future. AA:What is your approach when it comes to dealing with Unitil customers? And what advice do you have for other industry professionals with regard to communication and interaction with residents and busi- nesses in or near the service area being maintained? Sankowich: Unitil provides more than just electricity and gas serv- ices and products to our customers;we pride ourselves on delivering the necessities of life — safe and reliable electricity throughout New England."Energy for Life" is the statement of pride and commitment that we use to describe this philosophy.When it comes to dealing with customers,I embrace Unitil's "Energy for Life"philosophy. I, like many GeoDigital's Vegetation Management work suite to better enable us to manage trees and vegetation on our utility right-of-ways and our distribution circuits.GeoDigital's software has work planning technology that we will be using, as well as mobile tablet software that forestry supervisors and I will be using in the field. We are also creating a Risk Tree Assessment protocol with Urban Forestry,LLC to better enable risk tree assessment,identification of action- able risk, risk levels, and allocation of hazard tree removal resources. Sankowich develops and manages the vegetation management program at Unitil, including developing corporate policies, strategies and specifications, as well as managing contracts, work implementation, and much more. www.arborage.com Arbor Age / July/August 2012 9