Davey Tree Flipbooks

Kodi Stebner examines a tree during the Research Showcase at Davey's research facility in Shalersville, Ohio. Michael Hannebique (left) watches a tree climbing demonstration during a Davey Institute of Tree Sciences outdoor session in February 2015. Throughout the company's long history of helping establish the tree care industry, Davey also developed strong ties within the community surrounding its home base – including Theodore Roosevelt High School (RHS), located next door to the corporate office. RHS's well-developed urban forestry program caught the eye of Davey recruiters for its valuable courses in plant and horticultural science, urban forestry, landscape design and build, and turf science and management. This is why Mark Noark, man- ager of recruiting and training, works directly with John Lang and Thomas Franek, RHS urban forestry teachers, to connect students with future careers at Davey. Some urban forestry students begin working alongside Davey employees during high school. Now, some of those same students who graduated from the RHS program are full-time employees at Davey. Kodi Stebner completed the RHS urban forestry program in 2009. It helped her focus on what she wanted to do in her future. After completing the two-year program, she went to work at Davey. More than seven years later, Stebner is now a laboratory diagnostician and research assistant at the Davey Institute. "I grew up on a farm and always loved agriculture and plants," she says. "I followed the road from there to working at Davey." Michael Hannebique started working for Davey part-time the summer after he graduated from RHS's urban forestry program in 2009. "I joined the urban forestry program just to have a good time as I enjoy the outdoors," Hannebique says. "I didn't know it would lead me to where I am now." Over the last few years, Hannebique has earned his bachelor's degree in horticulture science and is now a sales arborist for the Canton R/C office. His dad, Ray Hannebique, regional vice president for Davey Resource Group, has worked for Davey since Michael was in the fifth grade. "Davey provided us opportunities then, and Davey is providing me opportunities now," Hannebique says. "I bleed green." GREEN RUNS IN THEIR VEINS Jacob LeBarre had no idea what he wanted to do as a sophomore at RHS. "All I knew is I wanted to be outside," LeBarre says, adding he then decided to join the RHS urban forestry program. He recalls taking field trips to Davey's corporate office and climbing trees with Mark Noark during class; the students even wore Davey hard hats and gloves. "The urban forestry pro- grams gave me the tools to be where I am today, but Davey's programs helped hone my skills." Now, LeBarre, who works in the Akron R/C office, is a 10-plus-year Davey employee and takes comfort in knowing, "if you are willing to work hard, Davey will help you move forward." January/February 2016 | 5

• Cover