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SPECIAL FEA SPECIAL FEATURE Most Influential People in the Green Industry By John Kmitta Green Media, a division of M2MEDIA360 — publisher of Arbor Age, Landscape and Irrigation, Outdoor Power Equipment and SportsTurf — is proud to present the 2011 selections for "Most Influential People in the Green Industry." Green Media's "Most Influential People in the Green Industry"were nominated by their peers for their ongoing contributions to the Green Industry.The professionals selected for this honor were chosen from throughout the Green Industry, and exemplify a commitment to the industry and a widespread influence on their peers. Green Media congratulates all of those selected to this year's list of "Most Influential People in the Green Industry." Mark Chisholm (ISA) International Tree Climbing Championship. His expertise in tree care has made him a sought-after consultant and industry spokesman for the world of arboriculture. He is a regular presenter at industry trade shows; he lectures at Rutgers University, Cornell University and Hofstra University; and he performs M on-the-job training for professionals around the globe. Deep roots in the industry Chisholm — a third-generation arborist with the Aspen Tree Expert Company, Inc., Jackson,N.J.— grew up in the industry. "Early on, everything that influenced me came through my family," said Chisholm."They have always been very in tune with the industry in our own region, and then started branching out." Chisholm's father, Steve, has served on numerous industry boards, has been president of ISA and other industry organizations, and is still very active in the industry as a committee member of ANSI who helps write ANSI regulations. According to Mark, growing up in the tree care industry is probably like growing up in any family-owned business — the business is just a part of you. "Before you blink an eye, you are a teenager and you can identify a red oak from a white oak or a white pine from a Norway spruce (instead of calling everything a Christmas tree)," he said."A lot of things trickle in without you even knowing it. "Family businesses do business 24/7," he added."It's talk at the dinner table, it's problems getting discussed and solved at eight- o'clock at night — so you can't help but be a part of it." But something that always made Mark want to be part of the business was the camaraderie and the way everyone treated each other when they came in from work. 12 Arbor Age / January/February 2012 ark Chisholm is a three-time winner of the International Society of Arboriculture's "I would see my father, uncles, godfather and everyone else coming in after work, and joking around," he said. "It made me want to be a part of it." Mark was interested in progressive concepts about tree care equipment, techniques and the climbing aspect of the business. "I went to trade shows and got super-excited by listening to other people speak, and learning new tricks," Mark said. "I can't really describe the exact feeling inside, except to say that it was exuberance to want to go back to work, try new things, and then build on it. That sparked something in me to want to create, to want to be better, to want to share what I learned as I became a more educated climber." According to Mark, he still keeps that feeling in the back of his mind to this day, and always strives to spark something in everyone he meets that makes them want to learn and progress. For a time, Mark thought of pursuing other interests, such as drawing and architecture, or anatomy and physiology. "I was trying to make sure I didn't take the easy road out, because I had done tree care my whole life up to that point," he said. But it was too difficult for Mark to even consider walking away from the tree care industry. "It wasn't until that time that I realized what a grab arboriculture had on me," he said."It was an eye-opening experience, and made me realize that I needed to focus more energy on it. I received an associate's degree in Liberal Arts and was going to Rutgers, but realized I was pushing myself hard to do something I didn't want to do. It was time to make a grown-up decision, and focus on the tree care profession." The heart of a champion "As far as work goes, first and foremost, I'm an arborist and a tree climber," Mark said."That's what I do day in and day out, and I try to be the best arborist I can be." But another title that defines Mark Chisholm is "champion."As a three-time International Tree Climbing Champion (1997, 2001 and 2010), the competition has had a profound influence on Mark's life. www.arborage.com