Davey Tree Flipbooks

4 THE DAVEY BULLETIN | July/August 2018 ASK THE CEO Q. How does employee ownership affect our employees, clients and business decisions? A. Employees: As Davey employees move up within the company and start to be around other employee-owners, they see how seriously we take employee-ownership. They see how much responsibility we feel to protect and promote the value provided to our shareholders, to us, by owning a part of the Davey Company. It's a huge driver of how we manage the company. We strive to do the right thing by our employee-owners, so it's a focal point for leadership. The board and executive team are aware of the outside investors moving into the green industry, but we're 100 percent committed to the employee-ownership model. Clients: Our clients see the culture we've created, and they're impressed. They comment quite a bit on how there's a noticeable difference in Davey's approach. Our clients appreciate partnering with a company that provides good opportunities for its employees. It's powerful for them to hear that we have people who can work their way up and do very well with the company while participating as an owner. It's not common in our industry to have the opportunity to be an employee-owner. We consistently see where the elevated employee engagement generated by ownership drives more creative solutions to our clients' problems, and they appreciate that. It's one more advantage they see to working with Davey. Business decisions: Employee-ownership allows us to be more strategic and think long-term. A lot of companies in our industry are driven by short-term thinking because of outside investor influences. We don't have those kinds of concerns. We can determine and have more control of our own future when we're employee-owned. We are more thoughtful and deliberate. Ultimately, that gives us a measured approach to running the business that has literally paid dividends. Pat Covey Davey President and CEO BURLINGTON OFFICE Tyler Hall, Cameron Iker, On a Wednesday, a large tree from city property fell, somewhat damaging my home. On Thursday morning I phoned through the 3-1-1 system describing some damage, and was sent a man who arrived about 9 a.m. who advised me a crew would arrive shortly to clean up the problem. The Burlington Davey Tree crew arrived before noon and had the work done to clean up this very large fir tree by about 1 p.m. I must tell you these three young men are a credit to their company and the city of Burlington in the quality and neatness of their work. By the time they left, one would not know any work had been done. Their politeness was a customer's joy. Robert White Burlington, Ontario CLEVELAND WEST TERRITORY Kent Winterhalter Kent does a fantastic job and delivers exceptional service. Nordson Westlake, Ohio DAVEY RESOURCE GROUP Annie Stover I recently contacted Florida Power and Light in regards to a tree condition at my home and was visited by your representative Annie Stover. Annie was very knowledgeable and courteous. She immediately understood the situation (more of an FPL service problem than a tree problem) and said she would forward her assessment to FPL. I congratulate you on having competent and customer friendly employees like Annie Stover. W. Mike Scarborough Florida LETTERS

• Cover