Davey Tree Flipbooks

26 THE DAVEY BULLETIN | May/June 2025 WSSI RETIREE LOOKS AT THE 'BIG PICTURE' While majoring in forestry and minoring in forest product marketing at the University of Florida, Chris Cowles had heard a classmate talk about becoming an urban forester. At the time, Cowles didn't know what an urban forester was or that he would become one. After graduating with his degree in 1976, training, and working as an urban forester and consultant for the state of Florida in the Fort Lauderdale and Tampa-Bay areas, Cowles joined Davey in 2008 through the acquisition of The Care of Trees. "There were wonderful people, a great team, and leadership at Davey," Cowles said. "We wish we could have joined them sooner." In 2011, Cowles transferred to Davey Resource Group (DRG) as a sales consultant, then transferred to become a project manager, Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc., a Davey company (WSSI) in 2014, and later, a senior associate consultant. Cowles then became an environmental scientist specialist, WSSI, in 2021, and remained in that role until he retired with 26 years of service in 2023. Throughout his career, Cowles always "looked at the big picture," emphasizing tree preservation when working with engineers and designers. "There was a famous arboriculture researcher named Alex Shigo in the nineties, who used to always say 'we need to touch trees,'" Cowles said. "I would follow that by Have stories to share about retirement or your life at Davey? To be featured, or to nominate a fellow retiree, call 800-447-1667 ext. 8615 or email bulletin@davey.com. encouraging clients, engineers, and others to meet me on sites, look up, and physically touch the trees when possible." In retirement, Cowles continues to connect with others and the world around him. Six months after retiring, he and his wife, moved to the Raleigh area of North Carolina to be closer to the Guatemala Naomi Ministry, a faith based nonprofit focused on providing aid and comfort to families and widows in urban Guatemala. He and his wife spend two weeks each year with the group in Guatemala to provide financial, physical, and emotional support to families and children in need. "I turned from a one-time annual volunteer to an engaged advocate," Cowles said. "It's about providing continual support and becoming family." When they aren't helping families in need, the Cowles' stay busy by doing yard work, jogging, and biking, and more. Currently, they're looking forward to trying out a new pickleball court at their local community center. Please send your email address to treasury@davey.com to be added to the Alumni Newsletter with exclusive information and news just for you. RETIREES! ADVICE FROM CHRIS COWLES: 1. Don't be afraid to ask the "why" and "how" questions in work and in life. 2. Buy stock, and find a financial advisor that works for you, and who mirrors your retirement goals. Chris Cowles and the Guatemala Naomi Ministry group took a highspeed ferry ride to San Juan La Laguna, a municipality filled with artists on Lake Atitlán during their most recent trip to Guatemala. The group climbed around 1,000 steps to reach the pictured view overlooking the lake and the San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán active volcanoes. Cowles said he and his wife were able to retire due to Davey's Employee Stock Purchase Program, and because of their smart financial decisions early in life RETIREE CORNER

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