Davey Tree Flipbooks

27 November/December 2025 | THE DAVEY BULLETIN WILSON FOCUSES ON FAMILY FIRST DURING RETIREMENT During his 48 years at Davey, Johnny Wilson took on many roles, like foreman, supervisor, and safety manager. Since retiring in 2020, he has focused on his most important role: Papa. He's traded business travel days and meetings for time with loved ones and playdates with his three grandchil- dren, all while he and his wife Ann help care for their oldest grandson, Cameron. "Cameron's my life," Wilson said. "When he was born, he had seizures. He eats through a feeding tube, and he couldn't walk or talk. Now, we have him walking some and doing other things that doctors said he probably wouldn't be able to do. Everything he does inspires us. He's an amazing young man." Wilson spends a lot of time with 16-year-old Cameron and his classmates at his high school, where he's known as "Papa." There, he worked to gain support for a local Special Olympics. In the summer, Wilson goes on local adventures with his children and grandchildren and helps his daughter and son-in-law refresh Cameron on the information he learned in school. Wilson joined Davey in 1972 on the Southern Bell Buried Wire account in South Carolina. He worked in utility services before attending the Davey Institute of Tree Sciences (D.I.T.S.) in 1986 and being promoted to supervisor of the Bell Electric account the following year. In 1992, Wilson joined the corporate safety department where he served in various roles, including safety manager. He retired Oct. 11, 2020. Wilson's brother, Ronald, was an account manager on Eastern Utility and retired from Davey after 39 years, and his son, Regie, is currently supervisor, Motor Carrier Support, corporate safety. He maintains contact with many employees who still work in Davey's Health and Safety department, and appreciates the company's continued focus on improving employee safety. The Wilsons still find time for vacation with their busy schedules. After all his career business travel, Wilson now likes to spend much of his time around Piedmont, South Carolina, though he and Ann do go on a yearly cruise in January. Wilson also owns an RV and a pontoon boat, and he is proudly in his 42nd year of owning season tickets for the University of South Carolina's football team. "One of the things I learned from Davey employees before me is to not sit around and do nothing in retirement – and I certainly haven't done that," Wilson said. "I love Davey, and as an employee owner, I still view Davey as my company." ADVICE FROM JOHNNY WILSON: 1. Buy stock so you can also retire comfortably 2. Take your job seriously every day; your role is important 3. Work safely, and watch out for yourself and your team because a safety incident can have effects on many people Left: Johnny Wilson and Ann stand outside their cruise ship on their way to Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic. Above: Wilson and his grandson, Cameron, on one of their summer adventures. RETIREE CORNER

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