20
THE DAVEY BULLETIN
|
March/April 2021
INTEGRITY
SPARKING AN INTEREST IN THE GREEN INDUSTRY
In the fall, Howard EcoWorks, a non-profit specializing in
workforce development in Columbia, Maryland, offered a
program called the Gateway to Green. This program provided
mini-scholarships to people interested in learning about
green industry careers after being displaced from their jobs
due to COVID-19.
Lou Meyer, assistant district manager, Chesapeake R/C
office, has worked with Howard EcoWorks during other
workforce development initiatives, so he invited the program
participants to learn about arboriculture at an active work
site. The crew pruned and did tree removals the day the
students visited.
Crew members Darren Johnson, Logan Zimmerman and Rafael Yanes
spoke to the students about their experiences in the green industry.
The Suffolk CLS territory donated and
planted a crepe myrtle at the Joint
Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort
Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in
honor of Navy Master-at Arms 3rd
Class Oscar Temores, who died after a
motorist ran the gate and crashed into
his police cruiser. He was 23 years old.
The property manager at Fort Story
approached Isreal Blakesley, account
manager, about purchasing the
memorial tree. Blakesley said Davey
would donate the tree to them instead.
MEMORIAL TREE HONORS NAVY OFFICER
Lee Woody, landscape crew leader
and U.S. Army veteran, and Nikolas
Ramirez, landscape technician, both
helped plant the crepe myrtle.
"When we planted the tree, several
of the security officers that worked
with their fallen comrade were
present," Blakesley said. "They were
very thankful for what we did. I am
very thankful to work for a company
that allows us to do these types of
things in support of our military."
The crepe myrtle planted in honor of Navy
Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Oscar Temores.
"I set aside time for the crew members to talk to the
group," Meyer said. "The crew members had great insight
on the industry and the careers available. They were excited
to talk to the participants."
After their visit, Meyer provided the participants with a
list of positions available at Davey and contact information
for Davey regional recruiter Bobbie Harrison.
"I hope they found something of value out of that
conversation and someone found a passion for the green
industry," Meyer said.
LEADERSHIP
