Davey Tree Flipbooks

May/June 2014 | 31 A True Leader at Heart H is legacy to us … an opportunity." Because John W. (Jack) Joy shared his tree care talent, passion and successes with the Davey company for nearly 45 years, there's no doubt his legacy hasn't failed to touch the lives of employees who had the opportunity to work with him—but also the more recent hires who keep Davey moving forward today. Yet, this year, as the company reaches its 35th anniversary of employee ownership— an initiative Joy became involved with when the Davey family sold the company in the late 1970s—we pay tribute to his life and experiences at Davey, since his passing on Sunday, Feb. 23. "Jack Joy was our company's first non-Davey president and CEO, and as such, he played a vital role in successfully navigating through the changes in ownership from the family to the employees in 1979," says Karl Warnke, Davey's president, chairman and CEO. But Joy's introduction to the company began more than 30 years prior. In fact, he took advantage of a Davey job opening in field operations by chance after surviving World War II as a B-17 bomber pilot. The beginning of his Davey career required Joy to pick up tree trimmings for a Cleveland- area crew. But Joy's hardworking, honest and intelligent demeanor soon caught the eyes of his superiors. From there, he climbed the corporate ladder one step at a time. By fall 1946, Joy was foreman of his field crew. From his short-term stint as a Cleveland- area sales representative in 1957 to his decision to join corporate office staff as assistant sales manager, Joy advanced his career fairly quickly. But even after serving as senior vice president of operations and being elected president in 1977 and CEO in 1979, Joy never let his success get to his head. "Jack's irrepressible strength of character and uncompromising commitment to the Davey company will continue to define our culture for many years to come," Warnke says. Joy became chairman of the board of directors in 1983, and although he retired from active operations in 1990, he continued serving as chairman of the board until 1998. Elsie Joy, Jack's wife of more than 65 years, has recorded the personal and professional milestones and highlights of his life in a book titled, "Climbing the Ladder One Step at a Time," which was self-published in 2012. From stories of Jack's poor childhood to experiences he shared with others at Davey, where he put doubts of employee ownership to rest, the book represents his character and determination to do great things and achieve his dreams. Joy's legacy? "An opportunity to build an enduring 'institution' from the $55-million company that was entrusted to the valued employees in 1979," Warnke says. "Having the privilege of working with Jack for many years, I am confident his aspirations and dreams for the Davey company are being realized." "Years ago I heard a quote, 'If a person moves confidently and consistently in the direction of his dreams, to live the life he imagines, he will have unexpected success.'" – Jack Joy Jack Joy '' In Memory A Word of Thanks Thank you to all who donated to either The Foundation for Veterans or Hospice in Jack Joy's memory. He is missed by his family and also many others. I also wish to thank all who came to the calling hours and expressed their sympathy. – Elsie Joy Jack Joy (pictured with crewmembers on his first day of work) began his Davey career in field operations in 1946. Jack Joy (center) greets sons Dave (left) and Dan during Dave's retirement party in September 2013.

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