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September/October 2022
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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
DAVEY PEOPLE
Luke Costilow has a "quacky" hobby; hand carving and
hand painting wooden duck decoys. A third-generation
decoy carver himself, his father began to mentor him in
waterfowl hunting and decoy carving at 10 years old.
Costilow participates in waterfowl decoy carving
competitions and has won nine Best of Shows at the world
championships, along with various other Championship
Titles and Best of Show wins across the country.
"I like to carve mallards," he said. "Those are the species
I have done the best within competitions, and the birds
most people like the best. They are just a very striking and
recognizable duck, individually and as a pair."
Depending on the sex and the species of the waterfowl, it
takes Costilow roughly eight to 20 hours to create a decoy.
The bodies are carved from cork, while the heads are tupelo
wood, and painted in acrylics. Selling them put him through
Wildlife College, and today funds all his various "duck
related bad habits."
"It's functional art," he said. "You carve and paint them to
look the best you can for competitions and so people want
one for their mantel. But then you can turn around, throw
the decoy in the marsh, and hunt over it to attract ducks
while hunting! It's a very unusual art form."
Costilow is a senior environmental scientist, Davey
Resource Group, Environmental Consulting services based
out of Kent, Ohio.
FUNCTIONAL ART DECORATES EMPLOYEE'S FREE TIME
Descendants of John Davey, the founder of Davey Tree,
visited the corporate office this summer to hear about two
ongoing construction projects – the corporate third wing
addition and the Davey SEED (Science, Employee Education
and Development) Campus.
Leticia "Tish" Manley and Cecil Giltz visited the corporate
office and heard updates on both projects from Sandra Reid,
vice president, corporate communications and strategic
planning. Manley is the daughter of Evangeline Davey and
Alexander Smith. Evangeline was the daughter of Martin L.
Davey, Sr., who was president of the company from 1923
to 1946 and worked closely with his father, John, to build
the company in its early years. Smith served as president
of Davey Tree on three separate occasions from 1962 to
1965, 1968 to 1972, and 1976-1977.
Giltz is the daughter of Martin L. Davey, Jr., who served
as president of the company from 1946 to 1962. Giltz's
daughter and two grandchildren also attended the corporate
visit in June.
DAVEY DESCENDANTS HEAR COMPANY UPDATES
Descendants of John Davey listen to Sandra Reid, vice president,
corporate communications and strategic planning, talk about ongoing
construction projects at Davey in the lobby of the corporate office in
Kent, Ohio.
Do you have a fun hobby? Send an email
to bulletin@davey.com describing
your hobby for a chance to be featured!
Luke Costilow holding a pair of his hand carved mallard decoys.
