18
| March/April 2016
MY DAVEY
D.I.T.S. instructor Roy Montan, right, demonstrates knot tying to Bradan Claughton,
Carolyn Matthews and Michael Gniewoz.
BUILD A BETTER CAREER AT D.I.T.S.
Carolyn Matthews practices her rope skills.
"I wanted to come to D.I.T.S. to
further my career. It helps to go
through the D.I.T.S. program if you
want to move up with Davey. It's hard
being away from family and pets,
but it will be worth it in the end. It's
an honor to come to something like
this that few people get to do every
year," says Josh Rongish, sales arbor-
ist at the Dallas, Texas, R/C office, with
eight years of service at Davey.
The Davey Institute of Tree Sciences (D.I.T.S.) welcomed 51 employees to Kent,
Ohio, in January to attend the Davey Company's flagship training program in
biological sciences, safety, tree and plant care and management techniques.
The month-long intensive training program is among the industry's most rigorous
and has graduated hundreds of students since its founding in 1908.
For some Davey employees, like Bradon Claughton, a crew leader at the
Macedonia, Ohio, CLS office, week one of D.I.T.S. was the first time Claughton
ever climbed a tree.
"I came to gain new knowledge and experiences, primarily within the tree division
that I don't normally deal with," says Claughton.
Joshua Stephens, sales arborist at the Nashville R/C office, sees D.I.T.S. as
one of many ways Davey emphasizes training and education. "I really like to
be challenged and to learn," Stephens says. "When I found out there was an
opportunity to attend D.I.T.S. I was all for it."
Stephens, like many students, hopes to move up in the Davey Company and
believes D.I.T.S. will help him do that.
D.I.T.S. has proven an important milestone for many employees.
Mary Ann Schaefer, who has helped organize D.I.T.S. for 22 years, says over the
years she has seen the program solidify employees' commitment to the company.
She's watched as many graduates moved on to rise within the Davey ranks.
"D.I.T.S. absolutely makes us the premiere tree company in the U.S. and Canada,"
Schaefer says. "Friendships are built. Teamwork is in place. Many students arrive
on day one not realizing what a great company they belong to and how many
resources and opportunities they have. The mental growth each student has while
in Kent is exceptional."
New and past D.I.T.S. grads discuss their experiences on page 19. A brief history
of D.I.T.S. is featured on page 38.