179 178 Growth Rings
the tax department.
Brent Repenning was promoted to senior vice president of Davey Resource Group
and Eastern Utility operations. He would now apply his experience and talents to
utility line clearance and vegetation management. Repenning brought credentials in
growth and financial results to the utility segment. Under Repenning, DRG had
developed into a complex service line with multiple, diverse service offerings and
numerous acquisitions. Revenues for DRG exceeded $110 million at this time and
the resource group's management team prepared for accelerated growth through a
newly created strategic plan, which included the "Q.T.C." success principles of quality,
teamwork and communications. He reorganized the service line into three core
markets: utility vegetation management, utility asset management and environmental
consulting.
Greg Ina was promoted to vice president and general manager of research, recruit-
ing and human resource development. Ina had developed and initiated the concept of
turning pure overhead functions in the technical services area into revenue producing
services to offset the costs of research and technical support. Just one such example
is the global expansion and use of the i-Tree® software suite, which he had worked to
develop and maintain with numerous partners such as the U.S. Forest Service and
Casey Trees.
ea Sears was promoted to controller of Davey Tree in 2016. is move marked
the start of Sears' ascent into the executive ranks of the company in the finance and
accounting areas. Sears rose through the ranks and earned the respect of top manage-
ment with her strong work ethic and vast knowledge of the company. She was one of
the first corporate representatives to serve on the Davey President's Council.
Mark Svozil, a developing leader in Commercial Landscape Services (CLS) and
past member of the Davey President's Council, was promoted to senior vice president
of CLS. Svozil had extensive experience in all aspects of CLS and had worked hard to
earn the added responsibility. Within DRG, Ken Joehlin was promoted to vice pres-
ident and general manager of environmental consulting and business development.
Joehlin also had served on the president's council.
Harry Claypool was promoted to vice president and general manager, Southern
Utility operations. His responsibilities included managing Wolf Tree operations.
Claypool, who would eventually accumulate 40 years of Davey service, had expe-
rience in both residential and utility operations. He excelled at managing people
and brought back what had been struggling southern utility operations to some of
the most profitable years in recent history. Claypool had spent a number of years
stabilizing and growing this segment of Utility operations and was credited with the
development of upcoming managers, and he'd proven to be a capable leader during
Davey's many storm responses.
An important retirement occurred in 2016 when Nicholas R. Sucic retired as
senior vice president, accounting and finance, following 15 years of service. Sucic was
known for his many contributions in financial and managerial reporting and design-
ing and implementing internal controls. "He brought a positive attitude, unshakeable
commitment to the Davey brand, and a superior understanding and command of his
profession," then Davey Chairman and CEO Karl Warnke said.
Appendix B
