79 78 Growth Rings
Reforming the Organizational Structure
e evolution of Davey Tree from a family firm into an employee-owned company
already proved to be wildly successful by 1984. Yet the transformation lacked two
important elements. First, Davey needed an organizational structure that fit the
vision the employees had for the future, and second, the employees wanted a place
they could call their own.
Addressing the first issue, in 1984 Davey Company management implemented a
plan first approved and announced in 1983 to reorganize around two distinct operat-
ing companies with a single corporate group. e changes, as then Davey chairman,
President and CEO Jack Joy explained, would help manage the company's increased
growth and size while also providing for an orderly management succession.
"e new organization will be comprised of separate operating companies
organized to include all responsibilities and functions that relate directly to oper-
ations […] as well as the operation and maintenance of properties utilized in that
operating company," Joy explained. "As the company experiences growth in the years
ahead, it is conceivable that we will form additional operating companies for effective
management."
e reorganization in 1984 continued to key on service lines with subsidiary
organizations, when applicable. But the employees took a bigger step by formally
dividing the entire organization into operating companies with a single corporate
group. e two initial operating groups were: the Davey Tree Surgery Company, with
headquarters in Livermore, California; and the Davey Company, with headquarters
in Kent, Ohio. Davey Canada remained a subsidiary as a part of the Kent company.
5
Branching Out
(1984 –1989)
Chapter 5
Members of the new executive management
group appointed in 1984 pictured, from left,
are: Howard Eckel, executive vice president and
general manager; Jim Pohl, vice chairman and
corporate secretary; Jack Joy (seated) chairman,
president and CEO; Gene Haupt, executive vice
president, general manager, the Davey Tree
Surgery Company; and Doug Cowan, executive
vice president of finance and administration.
is management group also comprised the
core of Davey's board of directors, which also
included: omas W. Blazey, retired vice
president, BF Goodrich Company; Martin L.
Davey, Jr.; Richard E. Dunn, vice president,
Kent State University; William D. Ginn; J.
Maurice Struchen, retired chairman and CEO,
Society Corporation; and Edward P. Taylor,
retired, agriculturist.
