26 | November/December 2015
F
or many Davey employees, attending
training programs at the company's
headquarters in Kent, Ohio, can be very
eye-opening experiences.
"It's enlightening to see the big picture,"
says Production Manager Robert Trafzer.
"I've realized this is no longer just a job;
it's a career."
In August, Trafzer and other Commercial
Landscape Services (CLS) representatives
attended CLS Advanced Leadership Training
at the Davey Institute. The training included
sessions on topics CLS managers will encounter
as leaders within the service line, such as:
directing crews; how to coach and mentor the
next level of future leaders; understanding
the role a manager plays; and how to utilize
strengths to inspire others to grow internally.
Trafzer, who works at the Detroit North
CLS territory, has attended several other
Classroom Camaraderie
training programs at Davey within his 11
years at the company. He appreciates witnessing
younger employees learning about the same
topics early in their careers.
"Employees involved in trainings can
make something of themselves," he says.
"Constant growth occurs; it's a very interesting
road to experience."
While Trafzer enjoyed interacting with
other attendees he has never met before, he
also had the opportunity to share some of
his own knowledge and experiences by guest
presenting one of the sessions during the
training. "It was my opportunity to shine and
help motivate others," he says, adding the group
exercises were very encouraging to experience
prior to presenting.
Carlos Cruz, production manager at
the Alexandria/Washington, D.C. CLS
territory, also enjoyed the group exercises
during the training.
"They required a lot of communication and
incorporating different ideas," he recalls, adding
it was a "real eye opener" on different levels
to meet other employees and learn about their
experiences on the job.
Jacksonville Nursery Branch Manager
Russell Horton enjoyed meeting other training
attendees as well, but he particularly appreciated
the opportunity to learn more about himself.
"This time reiterated how I've changed in
regards to my new responsibilities as a nursery
manager," he says.
Horton has been with Davey for 22 years—
working in several capacities—and although
he has also attended several Davey training
programs through the years, he says this time
was different.
"It was a reminder of the big picture and
role we all play within Davey," he says.
The CLS Advanced Leadership Training attendees and instructors are pictured above, from left to right, front row: Carlos Cruz, Corey Lauler,
Brian Lopez, Mark Khuen, German Contreras, Tom Currier and Tom Faught; left to right, middle row: Joe Drukenbrod, Chris Jancsurak,
Greg Myers, Gary Bridgewater, Russell Horton and Mike Binkley; left to right, back row: Shawn Fitzgerald, Robert Trafzer, Jesus Aparicio
and Mark Svozil.
