4
| May/June 2016
DAVEY PEOPLE
Patrick M. Covey has been promoted
to president and chief operating officer.
This represents an expansion of
responsibilities for Covey, who in 2014
was promoted to president and chief
operating officer of U.S. operations. In
his new role, Covey will be responsible
for all of Davey Tree's operations
throughout North America.
"We continue to replenish our
executive team in a thoughtful,
systematic way," says Karl Warnke,
chairman and CEO. "Promoting from
within the company to accommodate
growth expectations and creating
opportunities for people defines the
Davey culture."
This appointment comes at a time of
stable growth for the company, fueled
by a greater focus on its strategic plan,
"Vision 20/20." Since launching the
plan in 2013, Davey Tree has acquired
over a dozen companies, increased
its revenues to approximately $825
million and increased the number
of employees to more than 8,600.
The company operates in 48 states,
including Hawaii and Alaska, as well
COVEY NAMED PRESIDENT, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
as five provinces in Canada. Davey
is the 15th largest employee-owned
company in the U.S.
Warnke says Covey has broad
experience within the company and
has demonstrated key leadership
qualities and a deep commitment
to Davey during his 24-year tenure.
"Pat's promotion is an integral part
of a long-term strategic succession
plan at Davey," Warnke says. "During
his tenure at Davey, Pat has been
exposed to many different aspects
of the business, including operational
responsibility. This experience has
allowed him to gain the perspective
and clarity of thought necessary for
this position. Through his leadership
roles within the company, Pat has
worked hard to strengthen Davey's
operational performance and
brand recognition."
Over the years, Covey has served
in various capacities with increasing
responsibility in both the field oper-
ations and the operations support
segments of the company. Covey
joined Davey in 1991 as internal
auditor. He transferred to eastern
utility operations in 1993 and was
promoted to administrative manager
in 1996. He was appointed a team
leader on the SAP implementation
project and managed the systems
and process team from 2000 to 2003.
In 2003, he was promoted to vice
president of southern utility opera-
tions, and in 2005 he was promoted to
vice president and general manager of
the Davey Resource Group. In
2007, he was promoted to executive
vice president, operations, a title he
held until he became chief operating
officer, U.S. operations, in 2012. He is
a member of the executive leadership
group for the Davey strategic plan
and serves as captain of the smart
growth team.
Patrick M. Covey
President, Chief Operating Officer
