TCI Magazine asked readers to recognize experienced professionals making a meaningful impact on the tree care industry, and you shared their stories. Meet the 12 professionals selected as the 2026 Faces of the Industry!

Through leadership, innovation, mentorship, service and expertise, these individuals are helping strengthen their companies, communities and the industry as a whole.

 

A Lifetime in Trees

Barry Evans

Retired, Evans Tree Service, Birmingham, Alabama
70+ years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Carl Hess, Evans Tree Service, Birmingham, Ala.

My father-in-law, Barry Evans, devoted his entire life to his career at Evans Tree Service and to caring for trees in his Birmingham community. He is a champion of doing things the right way, and I have never known him to take a shortcut at the expense of achieving the desired outcome for a customer. He personally supervised every project to ensure crew safety and customer satisfaction.

In 2018, Barry sold the company to me and began transitioning into semi-retirement. He continued working alongside me and the crew during the transition, helping ensure a smooth handoff for his customers while sharing his knowledge and experience to set me up for success as the new owner.

Although fully retired now, Barry continues to inspire me as the current owner and operator of Evans Tree Service. Two of my four sons work full-time with me, and Barry inspired both to become ISA Certified Arborists. His profile is our company logo, and we reference his leadership philosophies every day.

For 70 years, he showed up every day to meet with the crews. They rolled out promptly at 7 a.m. and returned at precisely 3:30 p.m. That consistency remains an inspiration to me. I hope to carry his example – along with the many qualities he instilled in me – forward to his grandsons and throughout our entire business.

It has been some time since Barry has worked in the field, but he made an impact on every crew member who had the opportunity to work with him. He built and sustained a successful business for decades, long before many of the technologies and practices common in the industry today. His was a manual business that required patience, persistence and perseverance. Now 95 and enjoying a well-earned retirement, he remains active in Birmingham tending to his Japanese maples and rose garden. Though his field days are behind him, he shares his passion alongside his wife and the next generation of arborists.

Building Skills, Raising Standards

Jim Roach, CTSP

Director of safety and employee development, John B. Ward & Co. Arborists, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
40 years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Chris Girard, ArborTech Tree Removal Experts, Gilmanton, New Hampshire

Throughout his career, Jim Roach has demonstrated a passion for tree care and a genuine commitment to the people who do the work. He has dedicated himself not only to advancing his own skills, but also to training, mentoring and developing the next generation of arborists. Jim is a seven-time Penn-Del tree-climbing champion, a Crane Climber Safety Instructor, a Certified Treecare Safety Professional and a Certified Arborist.

Jim has served as the lead arborist at John B. Ward & Co. for many years, and is also the company’s director of safety and employee development. In these roles, he has had a significant influence on the company’s safety culture and the professional development of its employees. He has mentored countless up-and-coming arborists, sharing his knowledge, experience and high standards with those learning the trade. For many crew members, both new and experienced, Jim has become more than a mentor – he has been a trusted adviser and father figure.

His impact extends beyond his own company. I have co-instructed with Jim at the Crane Climber School for several years and have seen firsthand how effectively he teaches complex concepts and builds confidence in others. One year, on the first day of the school, Jim demonstrated how rigging and cuts should be made during a crane removal of a large oak. With more than 60 students watching, he carefully explained the process and then executed the pick safely and efficiently. The piece came off beautifully, and the reaction from the students was inspiring.

That moment captures what makes him such an effective teacher and leader. He does not simply tell people how to do the work; he demonstrates the knowledge, preparation and judgment required to do it safely and successfully. Through his training and mentorship, he has helped countless arborists develop their skills, build confidence and raise their own standards.

Jim is a true industry leader whose influence can be seen in the professionals he has trained and the safety-focused culture he continues to promote. His knowledge, generosity and commitment to developing others have made a lasting impact on the tree care industry.

Building the Next Generation of Tree Care Workers

Dr. Jim Funai

Associate professor, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio
25 years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Lori Zatroch, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio

For more than 15 years, Dr. Jim Funai has taught and mentored students pursuing careers in arboriculture at Cuyahoga Community College. Through his commitment to science-based instruction, mentorship and professional development, Dr. Funai has made a lasting impact on students and professionals in the tree care industry.

His courses introduce students to the wide range of career opportunities in arboriculture, and his passion for the profession inspires many to pursue additional coursework and training. He ensures students understand tree biology, arboricultural safety and the critical role trees play in healthy landscapes and communities.

Through hands-on instruction, Dr. Funai prepares students not only to climb and care for trees, but also to work effectively as members of professional tree care crews. He emphasizes safety, communication, teamwork and responsibility when working at height. By combining technical skills with professionalism and industry standards, he helps students enter the workforce prepared to contribute as knowledgeable and safety-minded arboriculture professionals.

Dr. Funai’s impact can be seen in the careers of his students. Last year, a student entered the program after a successful career in professional photography. Although he had developed an interest in arboriculture through Dr. Funai’s classes, he initially questioned whether he could pursue such a physically demanding career in his 30s. Recognizing his potential, Dr. Funai encouraged him to participate in a tree-climbing competition to build confidence and practical skills.

The experience helped the student see a future in arboriculture. He subsequently secured part-time employment with a tree care company while completing his degree. After graduation, he plans to pursue ISA arborist certification and a master’s degree in plant health management, with the goal of becoming a plant health care specialist.

Dr. Funai’s teaching goes beyond technical skills. Through mentorship, encouragement and a commitment to developing the next generation of arborists, he helps students see what is possible and gives them the confidence and skills to pursue it.

Balancing Work, Safety & Training

Matt Bass, CTSP

District trainer, SavATree, Afton, Minnesota
20 years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Patrick Krasky, SavATree, Spring Lake Park, Minn.

Matt Bass has always been so much fun to work with. He is always ready with a joke or funny saying to lighten the mood when the work gets tough. He balances workflow, safety, training and fun in his own way, making the job easier and more enjoyable.

He works with crews on a daily basis and has taught more than 100 tree workers how to work efficiently in and around trees, whether climbing or working on the ground. He shares tips and tricks that make clients happy, keep climbers safe, make ground-crew members’ jobs easier and help the industry thrive. He also likes to work with high school and college students to introduce them to the tree care industry.

When he is on your crew, Matt is always talking about the gear you have, new gear on the market, what other climbers are using and what works for him and what doesn’t. It’s never in a holier-than-thou way; he genuinely wants others to succeed and grow in any way possible.

It’s hard to think of one specific moment or experience that encompasses his impact on the crews he oversees. But the best way I can put it is that whenever we have a cool tree to climb, whether for a removal or pruning job, all the crew members simultaneously think, “Man, I wish Bass were here. He would love this.”

Turning Problems Into Solutions

Dave Nordgaard

Founder, Branch Manager Attachments, Ramsey, Minn.
40+ years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Hans Tielmann, NJ Crane Expert & Noble Oak Safety & Training, Frenchtown, New Jersey

Dave Nordgaard deserves recognition for combining more than four decades of hands-on tree care experience with a rare ability to turn field problems into practical solutions for the profession. He built and operated a 40-employee TCIA-accredited tree care company, the first in Minnesota, before developing equipment specifically for arborists. What sets Dave apart is his perspective: He is not simply an equipment manufacturer, but a lifelong tree care professional whose innovations, industry service and commitment to safety grew directly from the needs of working crews.

Dave demonstrates leadership by listening to working arborists and turning their challenges into practical tools. He has shared decades of field knowledge, supported education and workforce safety initiatives and promoted higher professional standards. His approach encourages his team to solve real problems rather than simply sell equipment. By investing his time, expertise and company resources in the broader tree care community, Dave shows that leadership means helping others work more safely, efficiently and professionally.

He also contributed employees, equipment and company resources to community forestry projects, extending his impact beyond customers to arborists, communities and the profession as a whole.

In 1998, Dave recognized that compact loaders could transform tree work, but available attachments did not meet arborists’ needs. Drawing on his experience running a tree care company, he built the first mini bypass grapple. Fellow tree professionals quickly saw its value for moving brush and logs and began asking Dave to build grapples for them. That field-built solution became the foundation of Branch Manager Attachments, which is celebrating its 25th year in operation. Dave identified a problem facing working crews, engineered a practical solution and turned it into equipment that helped crews reduce strenuous manual handling and work more safely and efficiently.

Leading With Safety

Josue Palacios, CTSP, QT

Senior health and safety manager, Rancho Tree Service, Bakersfield, California
13 years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Ricky Garcia, Core Tree Care, Petaluma, Calif.

Josue Palacios is a dedicated professional committed to advancing safety and innovation in the tree care industry. Through his leadership, knowledge and service, he consistently puts the safety and well-being of others first. He serves as a trusted resource and sounding board for his colleagues, always encouraging those around him and reinforcing the importance of a strong safety culture.

As Rancho Tree Service has expanded into utility work and municipal projects, Palacios has helped lead the company’s safety efforts. His professionalism and commitment to safety have helped establish a culture in which safety is integrated into every aspect of the work. He is always willing to lend a hand, provide guidance and support his colleagues.

Josue demonstrated the impact of that leadership during the Bridge Fire in September 2024, on Edison property. As tree crews worked on the restoration project, he played a key role in providing safety personnel and trainers to support the crews working on site. He and his team provided leadership and field support throughout the demanding response, helping crews navigate long hours and challenging conditions from Monday through Sunday.

His commitment extends beyond policies and procedures. He leads by example, making himself available to the people around him and ensuring that safety remains a priority, even under the most demanding circumstances. His ability to combine safety leadership with genuine support for his colleagues has made him an important contributor to Rancho Tree Service and to the broader tree care industry.

Betting on Best Practices

David Stice

Technical expert/customer representative, WesSpur Tree Equipment and Training, Director Ascension Group, Northwest, Bellingham, Washington
30+ years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Stephen Connally, Adaptable Aerial Solutions LLC, Suffolk, Virginia

David Stice has been an industry leader for more than 30 years. His passion for tree care and the professionals who practice it is evident in his commitment to delivering practical training that improves the safety and proficiency of tree care workers worldwide. David has developed extensive expertise in work practices, equipment and emergency response, and has shared that knowledge for decades through training, education and other industry resources.

He continually tests new products, studies equipment design and manufacturing and contributes to use standards and industry best practices. As a technical representative for a major equipment distributor and a training partner for a manufacturing company, he has assisted and guided thousands of professional tree care workers in equipment selection and proper use and inspection.

David sets a high personal standard and leads by example, inspiring others to expand their knowledge, skills and abilities. Through instruction and mentorship, he challenges professionals to reach their potential and helps develop the next generation of skilled and safety-minded workers.

His impact extends well beyond the tree care industry. Recently, a technical rescue team from a Washington state fire department that David had trained responded to an incident involving a parachutist. The team successfully carried out the rescue using the skills and knowledge developed through David’s instruction and mentorship. The incident demonstrates the lasting value of his training: By preparing others to respond effectively in high-risk situations, his expertise can continue to make a difference long after the training itself is complete.

Caring & Consistent

Hans J. Tielmann III, CTSP, QT

Founder and lead instructor, NJ Crane Expert & Noble Oak Safety & Training, Frenchtown, N.J.
20 years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Joshua Milbourne, Schneider Tree Care, Charlotte, North Carolina

Hans Tielmann represents what is best about the tree care industry: experience, innovation, professionalism and a genuine commitment to helping others become better and safer arborists. Hans has spent more than 20 years in tree care, beginning in his family’s business and ultimately becoming a nationally recognized trainer and advocate for the profession. What sets Hans apart is his ability to combine real-world experience with an approachable teaching style. He does not simply demonstrate how to perform difficult work; he helps people understand why it is done a certain way and challenges the industry to continually improve. He is a TCIA Accreditation Auditor.

Hans’ impact extends far beyond his own companies. Through training arborists across the country, developing safety-focused education and openly sharing his knowledge, he has helped elevate how the industry approaches crane operations, grapple saws and high-risk tree work. His influence reaches everyone from experienced operators to employees entering the profession. His lasting impact is not simply the number of people he has trained, but the safer practices and stronger safety cultures they take back to their companies.

Hans leads by sharing what he knows. His credibility comes from years of performing the demanding work he now teaches others to perform safely. He has developed programs that combine technical knowledge, hands-on experience and a strong emphasis on safety. He is also willing to challenge conventional thinking and encourage arborists to understand the reasoning behind safe work practices, rather than simply following procedures.

There isn’t one interaction that defines Hans’ impact for me. It is his consistency over more than a decade. When I have had a technical question, wanted another perspective or simply needed advice from someone with more experience, Hans has always made himself available. He never made me feel that my question wasn’t worth his time or that I needed a certain title or position for him to help. Our industry is better when experienced professionals invest in others, and Hans has been doing exactly that for years.

A Passion for Trees & Teaching

Nora Bryan

Arborist, Leaf & Limb, Raleigh, N.C.
20+ years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Lydia Mooney, City of Falls Church, Falls Church, Va.

Nora Bryan is an intellectual leader and teacher in arboriculture. After working in several fields, she changed careers, learned to climb and began performing tree work – demonstrating that it’s never too late to learn something new and pursue a passion.

She has trained countless people, including many young women new to the industry, and she champions all aspects of tree and environmental care. She writes and teaches about insects and birds while also tackling complex climbs and tree pruning.

Nora has worked on crews throughout Canada and the United States. Most recently, she has focused on writing and developing educational materials to help others better understand trees and how to care for them.

A patient teacher, Nora explains the “why” before the “how,” ensuring people understand the full picture before they begin. Safety is her top priority. She assesses risks, solves problems and works to keep crews safe while also doing what is best for the trees in their care. She continues to teach through writing and crew training and is always willing to answer questions. If she doesn’t know the answer, she finds it.

On my first day working in the field with a tree crew, Nora let me use her saddle and climb – just a couple of feet, but a climb nonetheless. She walked me through safety, explained each piece of equipment and discussed the tree we were working on and the mindset needed before climbing.

I have never felt more empowered or welcome in a saddle. She believed I could climb and has continued helping others do the same. That day, I watched in awe as she navigated a white oak to perform a structural prune. Her gracious spirit and inclusive attitude have helped me and many other coworkers grow as arborists and tree professionals. We are all grateful for her.

An Innovator With an Impact

Dan Mayer

Owner, Mayer Tree Service, Essex, Massachusetts
40+ years in the tree care industry
Nominated by David Anderson, Mayer Tree Service, Norfolk, Mass.

Dan has led the way in using innovative equipment to make tree care more productive and, more important, safer. He was among the first to use a 60-ton Grove all-terrain crane for tree removals. Many people, including me, thought he was crazy. Today, tree care companies commonly use these cranes. He was the first to use and introduce the Sennebogen as well as the Albach for tree removal and debris management in the U.S. He also commissioned the engineering of the first Fallbach Tree Handler. Through his use, input and promotion of these machines, he helped transform this equipment into industry mainstays.

His drive for innovation comes from a desire to improve the industry and give tree care professionals safer ways to remove trees. The equipment also makes companies more productive and helps address one of the industry’s biggest challenges: finding qualified workers. With this machinery, a small team of highly skilled arborist-operators can accomplish exponentially more work.

Dan also has built an exceptional company and trained dozens of people. His influence extends throughout Massachusetts as well as nationally and internationally. Despite his success, he remembers where he came from and regularly shares his time and experience with students and young business owners. He helps them navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business, including business plans, sales, equipment choices, staffing and financial decisions. He generously shares lessons learned through his own experience.

He also gives back through volunteer service at Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst, Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School in Danvers, Mass. and other Massachusetts schools, serving on boards and providing leadership, guidance and resources to educators and administrators. He does this not for recognition, but to give back to an industry he loves.

Dan demonstrated that leadership during the Asian longhorned beetle project in Worcester, Mass. He recognized the scale of the infestation, rallied his team, coordinated subcontractors and found a disposal site within the quarantine zone capable of handling the enormous volume of debris. His confidence, energy and leadership helped bring a challenging project to completion. I don’t think there are many people who could have pulled off this collaborative effort so seamlessly.

Leading by Example

Hudson Diederich

Operations manager, crew leader, certified climber and crane operator, Franklin Tree Service LLC, Franklin, Tennessee
10 years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Zack Poteet, Franklin Tree Service LLC, Franklin, Tenn.

Hudson Diederich is the kind of person every tree care company hopes to have on its team.

He has earned his leadership role through hard work, skill, dependability and the respect of the crews he leads. He manages multiple crews while continuing to work alongside them as a tree climber and Palfinger PK 92002SH knuckle-boom crane operator. Hudson takes pride in doing difficult work safely and correctly, and is always willing to step in wherever he is needed. He represents the character and professionalism of the tree care industry.

Hudson has made a lasting impact on Franklin Tree Service by helping create a safer, more organized and accountable culture in the field. He leads multiple crews, mentors younger employees and sets a standard for how difficult tree work should be performed. His leadership has improved communication, efficiency and consistency across the company. Customers benefit from his professionalism and attention to detail, while employees benefit from a leader who teaches, supports and expects excellence.

Hudson leads by example. He never asks an employee to do something he is unwilling to do himself, whether climbing a difficult tree, operating the knuckle-boom crane or working alongside the ground crew. As a crew chief, he takes younger and less experienced employees under his wing, teaching proper techniques, safe work practices and the skills needed to become better tree care professionals. He commands respect while remaining approachable and willing to teach. His commitment to safety, teamwork and developing others has made him a role model throughout the company.

During major storm events, Hudson’s character becomes especially clear. I have watched him work more than 48 hours through ice, rain, exhaustion and difficult conditions while continuing to lead with the same professionalism and determination he brings every day. Even when others have had to step away, Hudson stays and keeps moving forward. What makes this remarkable is why he does it: He genuinely cares about the people he is helping. He understands that storm damage can be frightening and overwhelming for homeowners and approaches each situation with compassion, calm leadership and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help.

A Great-Great-Grandpa of Tree Care

Kirk Miller

Owner, Blue Ribbon Pruning, Robbinsdale, Minn.
30+ years in the tree care industry
Nominated by Max Guldbrandsen, Max’s Expert Tree Care, Princeton, Minn.

Kirk Miller has been a mentor to me and many other young arborists for many years. I’ve been in the industry for 10 years, and when I started, Kirk had apprentices who were 10 years older than me. He is essentially a great-great-grandpa of tree care in Minnesota. It seems like everyone has worked with him at some point.

Kirk showed me a path forward when I was 20 years old, helping me go from essentially living in poverty to building a well-paying career that I can continue for the rest of my life. He inspired me to earn my ISA Certified Arborist credential, chemical applicator’s license and Class A CDL. When he started his own business six years ago, he continued to answer my calls and help me in any way he could. He still holds me accountable to the highest standards of tree work.

When I met Kirk about nine years ago, I was about as raw and inexperienced as an aspiring arborist could be. He supported my decision to move from being an apprentice climber on his crew to becoming a foreman of my own crew, even though that made his day-to-day work considerably more difficult after he had spent several years training me.

He is a lifelong arborist who cares deeply about the quality of the work and the finished product, but he is also process oriented. He believes the work needs to be done correctly and in accordance with industry standards. If something isn’t right, he won’t simply move on to the next step – he makes sure it is corrected.

What makes him such an important mentor is that he doesn’t just teach people how to do tree work. He teaches them to take pride in their work, understand why standards matter and hold themselves accountable. He gave me the knowledge and confidence to build a career, and he continues to challenge me to become a better arborist. I know I am just one of many people in Minnesota who can say the same.

 

TCI Magazine will continue celebrating the people and ideas shaping the tree care industry in 2027 with two special features: The Family Tree: Generations in Tree Care (February/March), highlighting family businesses and multigenerational legacies, and 30 Under 30: The Future of Tree Care (April/May), recognizing emerging leaders under age 30.

How They Were Selected
The 12 individuals featured in Faces of the Industry were selected from nominations submitted by members of the tree care community. Nominations were reviewed by TCIA staff and the TCI Magazine Editorial Advisory Committee, who considered the information provided and each nominee’s experience, contributions, leadership and impact on the industry.

Self-nominations were not accepted, and nominations with a material, promotional, financial or business interest in a nominee’s selection may have been excluded.

Inclusion in this feature does not constitute an award or endorsement by TCIA. If your nominee was not selected, we encourage you to submit again next year.