Davey Tree Flipbooks

5 January/February 2018 | THE DAVEY BULLETIN BAST PROMOTED TO VICE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER Chris Bast has been promoted to the position of vice president and treasurer. With 22 years of prior experience, Bast joined Davey in 2013 as treasurer, and has expanded his responsibilities over the past five years. Since joining Davey, Bast has played an essential role in furthering the company's growth through the acquisition process. Joe Paul, executive vice president, chief financial officer and secretary of Davey Tree, said Bast has been a leader in navigating difficult situations, developing team chemistry and having a willingness to take on additional duties. "Chris demonstrates leadership in all that he does," Paul said. "He can navigate any situation and always achieves a successful result." Bast holds a bachelor's degree from Kent State University, is a certified public accountant, a certified treasury professional and is affiliated with the Risk Management Society. Chris Bast Thea Sears SEARS PROMOTED TO VICE PRESIDENT AND CONTROLLER Thea Sears has been promoted to the position of vice president and controller. Sears joined the company in 1993 and her responsibilities have included roles in financial reporting, managerial reporting and operations accounting. Sears became supervisor of financial accounting two years after starting with Davey. Shortly after that promotion, in 1998, she was made manager of financial accounting until 2010, when she was named assistant controller. Most recently, Sears was promoted to corporate controller in 2016. She holds a bachelor's degree in industrial management from the University of Akron and is a certified public accountant. "Thea has 24 years with Davey and a deep knowledge of operational and financial accounting," said Joe Paul, executive vice president, chief financial officer and secretary of Davey Tree. "Her focus on process improvements and drive to develop our talent is exactly what we need as Davey continues to grow." Joe Tommasi TOMMASI NAMED VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE SAFETY Joe Tommasi has been promoted to vice president, corporate safety. Tommasi started on a utility line clearance crew in 1972 and has been a safety leader in the green industry for over 35 years. He joined Davey in 1994 as safety manager. "Over his career, Joe's passion and commitment to continuous safety improvement have not only made the Davey Company a far safer place to work, but have enhanced the safety environment for all arborists," said Pat Covey, president and CEO of Davey Tree. Tommasi has worked with several industry groups during his Davey career, including: Tree Care Industry Association safety committee, International Society of Arboriculture, ANSI Z133 safety committee, Edison Electric Institute Safety Committee and OSHA rulemaking task groups. He is a member of the Utility Arborist Association and Utility Line Clearance Coalition. He is a graduate of Elizabeth Seton College.

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