Davey Tree Flipbooks

22 THE DAVEY BULLETIN | November/December 2025 LEADERSHIP THREE DAVEY LEADERS EARN TOP HONORS IN NEW ZEALAND Davey's R.J. Laverne, Don Roppolo and Cindy Schwab received International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) 2025 Awards of Distinction for their outstanding achievements in arboriculture at the ISA Annual International Conference in New Zealand in October. Laverne, manager, education and training, Davey Institute, was awarded the Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Arboricultural Education, which recognizes the role education plays in enhancing and advancing the industry. Laverne credited his success to all the brilliant team members he has been able to work alongside, learn from and teach. "For 28 years, I have worked for a company that has allowed me, encouraged me, inspired me and, at times, demanded of me to learn and to be better, and I have had the privilege of sharing that gift with remarkably gifted people," Laverne said. "Albert Einstein once said, 'I have no special talents. I'm only passionately curious.' I'm certainly no Einstein, but I share his trait of being passionately curious, and I am blessed by being surrounded by people who are passionately curious, and I'm blessed to have the opportunity to share what creation has revealed to me with other people who are also curious about nature." Roppolo, vice president, health and safety operations support, received the Millard F. Blair Award for Exceptional Contributions to Practical Arboriculture for his substantial contribution to practical arboriculture. During Roppolo's 23 years with the company, making a safer and better career path for people doing tree work has been his driving passion. "I feel very strongly about improving the lives and livelihoods of people who are in the field doing arboriculture work and exposed to the associated hazards," Roppolo said. "Davey has significant personnel resources dedicated to safety and training -- there are very few companies that have our level of commitment to improving safety and career development. This commitment gave me the opportunity to make a career out of my passion for helping people have safe, productive careers in arboriculture." Schwab, operations manager, training and employee development, Residential/ Commercial services, received a 2025 True Professionals of Arboriculture award. This recognition honors professionals who have earned special achievements in a professional setting, cultivated fruitful relationships with clients, developed initiatives in community education and made unique contributions to the betterment of the profession. For Schwab, everything she's accomplished has been the result of teamwork, mentorship and shared passion for arboriculture and community. "The high standards and guidance from my teammates have constantly pushed me to improve, and their unwavering support for my passion has allowed me to grow in ways I never thought possible," Schwab said. "More than that, Davey has instilled in me the importance of being an ambassador for our profession, not just a practitioner. I wouldn't be where I am today without the encouragement and dedication of my Davey colleagues, who inspire all of us to be 'true professionals' in every sense of the word." R.J. Laverne manager, education and training, Davey Institute Scan this QR code for the RJ award. Don Roppolo vice president, health and safety operations support Cindy Schwab operations manager, training and employee development

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