Great training starts with great trainers. That’s where TCIA’s Trainer Qualification Program comes in. Launched in 2022, the program helps industry professionals strengthen their instructional and leadership skills and deliver more consistent, engaging and practical training to improve workplace safety. There are now about 70 Qualified Trainers teaching courses in the field.

“The Trainer Qualification Program is more than a course,” says Irina Kochurov, TCIA’s director of credentialing programs. “It is a growing network of professionals committed to improving how tree care knowledge is taught, shared and applied. As the number of trainers expands, it is creating a ripple effect throughout the whole industry, raising the bar for everyone.”

We asked several Qualified Trainers to share why they became involved, how the program benefits their work and how they’re helping strengthen training across the tree care industry.

Ryan Ealy

CTSP, staff arborist, Timber Warriors, St. Louis, Missouri
Years as a Qualified Trainer: 4

What inspired you to become a Qualified Trainer?

Throughout my career, I have seen the difference that effective training can make – not only in whether a task is completed correctly, but in whether everyone goes home safely at the end of the day. I also have learned that the best training does more than communicate rules or tell someone what not to do. It helps people understand why a safe work practice matters, gives them information they can apply in the field and creates an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and participating in the conversation.

How has becoming a Qualified Trainer impacted you?

It has expanded both my knowledge and my ability to serve others in the industry. One of the most valuable parts of providing training is the meaningful feedback and conversation that takes place with course participants. Every class includes people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Their questions and real-world examples often lead to discussions that benefit everyone in the room, including me.

Those interactions have made me a better trainer and a more knowledgeable arborist. They continually challenge me to explain concepts more clearly, consider different operating environments and remain open to learning from the people I am teaching.

What do you hope tree care professionals take away from the training you provide?

I want participants to leave with information they can actually use when they return to work. They may not remember every slide or every detail from a course, but I hope they leave better prepared to recognize hazards, communicate with their crews and make sound decisions when conditions change.

Most important, I want participants to feel comfortable being part of the discussion. Some of the best learning occurs when someone asks a question, shares an experience or respectfully challenges the way something has always been done. Training should not be a one-way presentation. It should create conversations that improve everyone involved.

My goal is for each person to leave with at least one idea, technique or perspective that makes a meaningful difference for them, their crew or their company.

Monika D. Andrews

CTSP, owner, Redwood Consulting Arborists, Warminster, Pennsylvania
Years as a Qualified Trainer: 2

What inspired you to become a Qualified Trainer?

As the owner of Redwood Consulting Arborists, much of my work focuses on arboricultural consulting and expert-witness services, but teaching has always been another important part of what I do. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience and helping others grow professionally, particularly in an industry where education can have a direct impact on how safely work is performed. Becoming a Qualified Trainer gave me the opportunity to bring those interests together by facilitating Crew Leader Qualification (CLQ) and CTSP workshops for TCIA, as well as providing training for local tree care companies.

How has becoming a Qualified Trainer impacted you?

Becoming a Qualified Trainer has added another dimension to my work. It has created opportunities to work with companies and professionals outside of my traditional consulting role and has allowed me to become more involved in education within the arboricultural community. My consulting and expert-witness experience also gives me a perspective I can bring into the classroom by connecting standards and best practices with real-world situations. It also has helped me build relationships with professionals at different stages of their careers and contribute to the industry in a way I find personally very rewarding.

What do you hope tree care professionals take away from the training you provide?

My goal is for participants to leave with practical knowledge they can apply in the field, but also with a greater understanding of the responsibility we have for one another. Tree care is inherently hazardous, and safety cannot simply be a set of rules we follow. I believe people are more likely to make safe decisions when they understand not only what a standard requires, but why it matters. I want people to think critically, recognize hazards, communicate with their crews and understand the reasons behind safe work practices. If something they learned in my class causes them to stop, think and make a safer decision on the job, then I know the training made a difference.

Leo Roldan

CTSP, safety trainer, The Davey Tree Expert Company, Mamaroneck, New York
Years as a Qualified Trainer: 3

What inspired you to become a Qualified Trainer?

It was my passion for helping people grow. Since the beginning of my career, I’ve always enjoyed teaching others, sharing what I’ve learned and seeing people build their skills and confidence.

As I gained more experience, I realized that becoming a Qualified Trainer would help me become a better instructor and deepen my knowledge of the tree care industry. I wanted to challenge myself, learn from experienced professionals and improve the way I deliver training.

How has becoming a Qualified Trainer impacted you?

Becoming a Qualified Trainer has had a significant impact on my career. It has improved my training skills and expanded my knowledge of the tree care industry. It also has helped me become someone my crew relies on for guidance and answers about different aspects of the job.

This qualification has opened doors to opportunities I never expected. It has allowed me to take on different roles within the industry, become a key part of building and strengthening our company’s safety culture and help break down barriers that once limited professional growth.

What do you hope tree care professionals take away from the training you provide?

Our industry has always been known for having hardworking people, and I have a lot of respect for that. But during every training, I remind participants that the goal of TCIA and our industry is not just to create hard workers – it’s to develop professional tree care workers. That means having the knowledge, skills and mindset to perform the job safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

I also hope they understand the importance of building a strong safety culture within their crews and throughout our tree care community. Safety isn’t just about following rules; it’s about looking out for one another and making sure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.

Tim Walters

CTSP, head of operations, Miller’s Tree Service, Crawfordville, Florida
Years as a Qualified Trainer: 1+

What inspired you to become a Qualified Trainer?

I have always wanted to move my career more toward training. My current position is in operations management, and our company is a firm believer in TCIA’s Tree Care Academy. So when the opportunity came about to become a Qualified Trainer, it made perfect sense for me to pursue it. It gave me an opportunity to take something I was already passionate about and turn it into a bigger part of my career.

How has becoming a Qualified Trainer impacted you?

When I first signed up for the class, I had no idea how much actually went into creating and delivering your own training course. Writing an agenda, developing a lesson plan and planning how the class would flow were all new to me. Working with TCIA has helped me advance my knowledge and skills and really dial in to those processes.

Originally, I had only planned to use what I learned within my own company, but I’ve found that becoming a Qualified Trainer has opened up many new opportunities outside of my company as well. It’s allowed me to grow not only as a trainer, but also as a tree care professional.

What do you hope tree care professionals take away from the training you provide?

Tree work can be one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Over the years, I’ve seen far too many preventable accidents that could have been avoided with the right knowledge and training. My hope is that I can share what I’ve learned throughout my career in a way that makes a difference for someone else. If the training I provide can help prevent even one accident and help someone go home safely at the end of the day, then I feel like I’ve accomplished something meaningful.

Charles White

CTSP, Northern Tree Service LLC, Hillsborough, New Hampshire
Years as a Qualified Trainer: 2

What inspired you to become a Qualified Trainer?
Time spent with fellow arborists is where I learned climbing and rigging. The satisfaction of climbing and working in the trees inspires me every day to share my knowledge the way others have shared theirs with me. The best “thank-you” to my mentors and teachers is to teach crews to lead with safety and efficiency.

How has becoming a Qualified Trainer impacted you?

Training is a priority for Northern Tree Service. Being part of a team that values leadership makes our crews stronger and makes Northern the place for employees looking for a professional work environment. I’m grateful to contribute to the training operations at our company. Our dedication to skill advancement is one of the many reasons our company is growing. Being a Qualified Trainer helps me meet our crews’ goals and builds a common language of safety within the company.

What do you hope tree care professionals take away from the training you provide?

Working in the classroom has been so rewarding. I love taking on challenges that allow me to exercise my ability to transfer my experience in the field. Ultimately, being a Qualified Trainer helps me shape tree care culture. If you want to shape tree care culture, this is where you want to be.

Kristoffer Rasmussen

CTSP, owner, Arborist Strong, Azle, Texas
Years as a Qualified Trainer: 3

What inspired you to become a Qualified Trainer?

My first article published in TCI Magazine, “Beekeeping Is a Sweet Hobby for an Arborist,” appeared in October 2010. That experience encouraged me to explore everything TCIA had to offer, and I quickly found my passion for professional development and training.

How has becoming a Qualified Trainer impacted you?

In 2012, I became a CTSP, and shortly afterward I earned my Qualified Trainer designation. It allowed me to participate in training programs through the Arborist Safety Training Institute (ASTI) and access funding through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. Those opportunities reinforced my belief that quality training has the power to save lives, strengthen companies and elevate the entire tree care profession.

Early in my climbing career, I nearly suffered a serious accident when a cut branch became entangled in my climbing line and began pulling me out of the tree. Fortunately, I was protected because I had maintained a second point of attachment – my lanyard – as required by the ANSI Z133 safety standard. That experience had a profound impact on me, and I began applying the “Z” to my daily decisions in the field.

As I continued my career, I attended many safety training sessions that failed to engage the audience. Instead of criticizing those presentations, I decided to become part of the solution by volunteering to train others.

Becoming a trainer has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. I view it as a lifelong journey of continuous learning. Whenever I attend a class, I don’t just listen to the presenter – I watch how the audience responds. Every instructor has something to teach, and every class provides an opportunity to become a better communicator.

What do you hope tree care professionals take away from the training you provide?

My goal is to inspire the next generation of trainers. Just as I plant trees knowing I may never sit in their shade, I hope to mentor trainers whose words I may never hear, but whose influence will make our industry safer.

Justin Morejohn

CTSP, Arborist By Trade LLC, Davis, California
Years as a Qualified Trainer: 3+

What inspired you to become a Qualified Trainer?

My experience as a CTSP made me interested in becoming more involved with teaching, especially with the support of TCIA. My good friend Korey Conry also had recently become a Qualified Trainer and encouraged me to do the same.

How has becoming a Qualified Trainer impacted you?

As a Qualified Trainer, my classroom has expanded to a global audience. It is so cool to be able to interact with tree professionals from other countries and across the United States.

What do you hope tree care professionals take away from the training you provide?

My hope is that I can share not only some knowledge about arboriculture, but also some of the stoke I have for the subject. I know that I enjoy learning from a teacher who is excited about the subject, and I strive to bring that to my classes as well.

Mandi Wilson

CTSP, owner, Arbi Barbi Consulting Arborist LLC and Arbi Barbi Tree Co LLC, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Years as a Qualified Trainer: 2

What inspired you to become a Qualified Trainer?

Training has always been a huge part of my life. I joined the Army at 17 and, at 18, became a Combat Lifesaver instructor – I was a medic. Years later, I found myself working in another highly skilled profession, but this time training was not standardized. I have watched people who are undertrained or completely lacking any training do this work over the years, and it has resulted in some detrimental consequences. That’s why I want to help steer the industry toward a training-friendly way of thinking.

How has becoming a Qualified Trainer impacted you?

At first, all I had was my consulting company, and becoming a Qualified Trainer elevated my services to another level. Companies across the country were hiring me because I now had the credential to back up my skills, knowledge and passion. Since obtaining the qualification, I have started a tree company, and I’ve trained clients – yes, tree service clients! – employees and mentees. It’s just been incredibly valuable to me personally and professionally.

What do you hope tree care professionals take away from the training you provide?

First and foremost, I hope attendees leave every class I teach or presentation I give understanding the safety message. But there is something I build into my classes that might be arguably more important – the confidence to take appropriate action.

Jesse Orendorff

Senior safety and construction manager, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Willows, California
Years as a Qualified Trainer: 3

What inspired you to become a Qualified Trainer?

I have been a Qualified Trainer for just over three years. I have been actively involved in developing and administering training in the arboriculture industry for the past 20 years. Early in my career, I wasn’t exposed to clear and consistent training that would help me develop safe techniques and habits. Most of my learning came from watching and reading what I could find and, of course, trial and error. I was pretty fortunate in that I’ve had only a few minor incidents throughout my career. I decided to become a Qualified Trainer to solidify and continue building a reputation for providing quality, consistent training programs.

How has becoming a Qualified Trainer impacted you?

Progressing in my career to this level has been a struggle. I wanted to become someone newer members of our industry could turn to for guidance and ask questions without judgment – something I didn’t have. I hope students who take my training leave with a better understanding of the subject matter, regardless of their level of experience. Some students are brand new, while others are seasoned professionals looking for a refresher or seeking CEUs or credits at work.

What do you hope tree care professionals take away from the training you provide?

This endeavor has had a pretty significant impact on me. On the professional side, it has made me more marketable by allowing me to reach more people.

But the most profound impact has been personal. Seeing students have that aha moment when something clicks or they learn something new means more to me than I can ever put into words.

Tim Bergquist

CTSP, consulting arborist, TimBer Property Consulting LLC, Moultonborough, New Hampshire
Years as a Qualified Trainer: 4

What inspired you to become a Qualified Trainer?

I have been in the tree care industry for more than 30 years and have worn many hats. Whether I was an applicator, a tree care manager or an owner, safety and training were always part of the job. I learned that safety is a team effort; we have to learn to work together positively. I have always stressed that negativity never encourages safety or solves any problem. I also have stressed that if we work safely and keep an eye on each other, we can all go home to our families. If I could spread my attitude further by helping my fellow tree care professionals develop and maintain their safety programs, that would be even better.

How has becoming a Qualified Trainer impacted you?

Being a Qualified Trainer has allowed me to meet many people I might not have met otherwise. The training opportunity has provided me with a source of income, which was very helpful while I grew my business. The best reward has been the appreciation I have received from the trainees, owners and managers.

What do you hope tree care professionals take away from the training you provide?

I hope that tree care professionals learn that safety knowledge is power. Whether the trainee is new to our industry or a seasoned professional, we can always learn more. We should all keep an eye on each other and pass on the lessons we’ve learned.