February, 2007--Good Morning, I am so pleased to be here. As Incoming Chair of the Tree Care Industry Association, it is my great privilege to welcome you to WMC 2007. Little funny story to share …Last year in St. Kitts, a group of us went over to Nevis to have lunch and afterward walked down to see the beach. A woman employee sitting there asked us where we were from and when we told her we were with the tree care industry, she said “Oh yes I know, you’re with the lumberjack convention”. So.., welcome all you lumberjacks!
I work for McFarland Tree & Landscape Services in Philadelphia, Pa. as their Vice-President/Treasurer. Our company has been a member of NAA/TCIA since 1969. My first WMC was in Maui, Hawaii in 1982 and foutunately, with few exceptions, we have been attending ever since.
In 1992, I was sitting where you are, as proud as could be watching my boss, Paul McFarland, being installed as the “President” of the National Arborist Association. Who would have ever thought then, that I would be standing here myself one day. We may be in sort of a unique same situation having a male and a female from the same company occupy this position.
I am here because I have been very fortunate in my green industry career to have worked for not one, but two outstanding tree men. Paul McFarland and Peter McFarland. Paul McFarland, who basically threw me head first, sink or swim, into this wonderful “tree man” community and now with Peter McFarland, who picked up the reins of leadership at McFarlands in 2001, and who shows many of the same fine qualities passed down from Paul. And also because, throughout the years, I have been encouraged and supported by my husband, Jack. Who many of you know and if you don’t, you can usually find the “Silver Fox” down by the pool. Time it right, and he’ll probably treat you to lunch! He’s famous for that.
In the many years I have been associated with TICA, I have witnessed phenomenal changes. Under the selfless leadership of past Presidents and Chairs, Bob & Pat Felix and a dedicated staff, such as Peter Gerstenberger, Cathy Travis, Mark Garvin, and Bob Rouse, and continuing under the admirable leadership of Cynthia Mills, TCIA at 68 years of age, is not just getting older, we are getting better and better. Leadership like this is why TCIA is a success story. I don’t believe we have ever sacrificed what is right for what is convenient. TCIA has such integrity, from the staff, to the board and filtered through to the members. This is evidenced through our Accreditation and CTSP programs. Not only the growing number of member companies that have been accredited, but also the increasing numbers who have signed up for the programs.
Two of my personal goals in the coming year are to complete both programs in our company. Truthfully, when I was part of the original accreditation task force, I wasn’t entirely convinced that it was something we needed to do. Now that it is a reality, we know we have to do it. These programs are unique to us and opportunities to distinguish ourselves from the competition.
I have also witnessed the evolution of our Board of Directors. We are no longer a managing board, but a strategic policy setting, opportunity seeking board. This allows us to focus on leadership, stewardship and results AND this allows Cynthia Mills and her competent staff to focus on management, outcomes and accountability.
We also have the opportunity to bring our “Voice” to other industries, such as landscaping. Increasingly they are moving into tree care and we need to influence and educate not only them but also consumers to the differentiation between landscaping and safe, proper tree care. Additionally we have the opportunity to influence government legislation and regulatory affairs before enactment through our VFT PAC. We have developed an alliance with OSHA, which is an unbelievably pro-active position.
TCIA has accomplished so much. Tree Care Industry magazine is far and away the benchmark and envy of other industry publications. We have two of the best meetings in the industry, WMC and TCIA EXPO. When you attend WMC or EXPO, you expect to find education, increased knowledge, new technology and relaxation. You find that and more. You will also find year after year, you are building a network of professionals you can call on as friends, as well as business associates to brainstorm with, discuss and resolve issues you face as business leaders.
I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on some of the people who have done so much for us all. People we consider “Giants” of the industry. Contemporary people like Robert Bartlett, Jr., Paul McFarland, Walt Money, Dave Dickson, John Hendriksen, Gary Mullane, Lauren Lanphear, Mark Tobin and of course, our very own pioneer in female leadership within this male dominated industry, Susan Haupt. To be standing in the same spot where these outstanding leaders have stood is a truly awesome, intimidating feeling. These giants poured their hearts and souls into our industry. Their contributions to the growth of NAA/TCIA and tree care are immeasurable. Their dedication to raising the public’s perceptions and government’s awareness of us, their passion in authoring and maintaining tree care standards, the emphasis they placed on proper and safe tree care practices, the time and expertise they volunteered, even while regularly putting in 60 to 70 hour work weeks is nothing short of awe inspiring. They took responsibility, they faced the challenges AND they got the job done! Their accomplishments have left an indelible mark on the tree care community, and continue to encourage and inspire us today. I will do my best to carry on their tradition of selflessness during my tenure as Chair.
In closing, I want thank you all, past and present leaders, staff and member companies, for your loyalty and dedication through the years. Because of you we continue to move forward to achieve great things and improve our industry. A few years ago after the 911 attacks on the World Trade Centers, my good and special friend Rusty Girouard, wrote a timely and moving article about the importance of unity. I believed that then and I believe that today. We need to stay united with TCIA. We have accomplished so much together and with this unity we will continue into the future. I am very thankful for the support, education and friendships we have formed over the years. This industry attracts such fine people and I am truly a better person, professionally and personally for having been involved in it.
|
