Trees & Utilities 2026: Connections, Innovation, and Industry Leadership
The energy, engagement, and connections made at the Trees & Utilities Conference in Portland, Oregon, September 22-24, were truly outstanding.
The UAA and the Arbor Day Foundation thank everyone who contributed to making it a successful event.
“Old friends and new came together for engaging conversations,” says Dennis Fall, UAA Executive Director. “The open layout of our gathering space in the Portland Convention Center made it ideal for photo opportunities and leisure activities that greatly added to a vibrant atmosphere.”
Attendance came in just short of last year’s record-setting event.
“45% of our visitors were new to the conference this year,” added Crystal Arp, UAA Events Coordinator. “The growing interest and investment in Trees & Utilities is undeniable. The top states represented this year included California, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, and Minnesota. Guests even traveled from New Zealand and Australia to participate in this one-of-a-kind experience.”
Nicolas Domeyko was among the first-time guests.
“I had a number of productive conversations with tree care and utility vegetation management companies,” said Domeyko, CEO at HSE Americas. “One thing was clear: interest in how AI can improve safety continues to grow.”
The Women in UVM Workshop focused on advocacy and allyship. Participants explored practical ways to support women and minorities while fostering more inclusive workplaces. The session left attendees with valuable insights and ideas they can apply within their own organizations.
“It’s moments like these that remind me why in-person industry events are irreplaceable,” said Lianne Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Agere Integrity and a workshop panelist. “Thank you for the opportunity to participate.”
Professionals from across the industry who took part in education, networking, and collaborating shared why this event was an outstanding experience.
“It’s one of those meetings that sticks with you all year long,” added Cindy Devlin Musick, UAA Board Director and Senior Director of Vegetation Management at Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. “Those catch-up conversations, watching technology companies mature and refine their product, personally re-connecting with vendor-partners, mentor opportunities with students, and hearing what’s new. To say it’s one of the professional highlights of the year is an understatement.”
“From utilities and contractors to technology, safety, training and the organizations that help support our industry — there was a lot happening in Portland,” added Ed Martinez, Founder of Velocitree Group. “One thing continues to stand out: There are a lot of good people working hard to shape what’s next for our industry.”
Let’s keep the momentum going. See you next year for Trees & Utilities in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 14-16, 2027.
Read about two initiatives introduced at this year’s conference in the Monthly Update: Major Announcements at Trees & Utilities Highlight Industry’s UVM Commitment.
Explore New Organizational Sponsorship Opportunities for 2027
Expand your company’s visibility and engagement within the UVM industry with more options than ever before through the UAA’s organizational sponsorship program.
The new, customizable sponsorship structure:
- Increases adaptability and flexibility of exclusive and general sponsorships
- Tailors the experience to align with the sponsor’s goals and priorities
- Provides additional opportunities to create meaningful connections and deepen engagement with industry professionals throughout the year
Organizations that are also enrolled in the company provided membership program by Saturday, October 31, 2026, and commit to a 2027 UAA Organizational Sponsorship on or before the same date, will bump their company provided membership benefits to that of the next package size up.
Whether your goal is increased brand awareness, stronger member engagement, or expanded industry reach, the updated sponsorship program maintains a flexible approach to help your organization make the most of its partnership with the UAA. Visit the online pledge form.
First 2027 UAA Newsline Advertising Deadline is Next Month
Connect with UVM professionals across North America and advertise in the Utility Arborist Newsline – a unique opportunity to reach a highly engaged audience of utility arborists, industry leaders, and decision-makers.
The UAN delivers valuable industry news, insights, and resources to UAA members, providing advertisers six times a year with premium exposure to professionals dedicated to safety, reliability, and excellence in utility vegetation management.
Secure the best price and placement in the January/February 2027 issue when you submit the insertion order by Monday, November 2, 2026.
“The Utility Arborist Newsline is masterfully curated by the UAA Editorial Committee and features articles written by industry experts,” says Sam Wilson, UAA Partnership Coordinator. “We physically distributed and provide a modern digital platform to thousands of UVM professionals, including some of the most influential leaders, innovators, and decision makers in our industry. In addition to being a popular outreach tool at partner events, Regional Events, and Safety Summit, we aim to start partnering with collegiate libraries to deepen the impact potential of this engaging publication.”
Don’t miss the chance to strengthen your brand presence and build meaningful connections within the utility arboriculture community. Email this form to newsline@gotouaa.org to sign up.
UAA on the Road: Building Partnerships, Driving Industry Progress
The UAA team has been busy connecting with industry partners and strengthening relationships across the UVM community. In late summer, UAA Executive Director Dennis Fallon and Partnership Coordinator Sam Wilson visited Vermeer Corporation in Pella, Iowa, and Wright Tree Service in Des Moines.
During the visit to Vermeer, the team toured the company’s manufacturing facility and met with executive leadership to discuss industry trends, workforce development, and the future of utility vegetation management. At Wright Tree Service, they gained insight into the organization’s employee-owned culture and operations while continuing important conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing the UVM ecosystem.
The UAA team will continue its travels this fall, attending several key industry events, including the Society of American Foresters Annual Convention in Tacoma, Washington, and TCI EXPO in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November. Members attending TCI EXPO can stop by Booth #2011 to meet Fallon and Membership Coordinator Cody Woodward.
Excitement is also building for the UAA Western Regional Meeting & Safety Summit, Nov 3-5, in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, which will feature keynote speaker Katherine Blunt, award-winning journalist and author of the national bestseller, California Burning. The first one hundred people who register will receive a complimentary copy of Blunt’s book.
The UAA extends a special thank you to Asplundh, whose Diamond Sponsorship support helped secure Blunt as a speaker and produce an outstanding program.
Share Your Voice: Comment on the Draft NUCF Ten-Year Action Plan
The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) has released the draft of the Ten-Year Action Plan, (2027–2037), which creates a guiding framework that optimizes innovations, resources, and collaborations for the field of urban and community forestry. It also drives federal funding priorities for Urban and Community Forestry.
You are on the front line, delivering utility vegetation management in large and small communities. You’re on the ground and learning what works and what doesn’t. We believe this plan will serve you and speak to your community’s priorities better with your input.
Your perspective is important, so we invite you to review the draft plan and share your comments before the public comment period closes on Friday, December 4, 2026. Comments gathered through this process will help finalize the NUCFAC Ten-Year Action Plan. Perspectives from both within and beyond the urban and community forestry field are welcome.
Want to learn more about the action plan? Register today for a free webinar and earn one ISA CEU, on Friday, October 23, at 12:00 p.m. EDT.
Craig works for Pacific Gas and Electric as a Principal Program Manager in Land Management. His career spans 30 years in the utility industry serving numerous roles. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, and hold his TRAQ and is a TCIA Certified TreeCare Safety Professional. Craig has been engaged and involved in the UAA for many years, starting back in 2008. He then wanted more so he ran for UAA President and was elected in 2014. Today, Craig looks back over his 30-year career and wouldn’t change a thing, he’s made life-long friends and considers many as mentors. He also claims he would not be where is in his career if it weren’t for these people, and pledges to pay it forward to support others in their success.
Sam joins the UAA crew with over a decade of non-profit experience behind her. As our Partnership Coordinator, her focused efforts on building relationships with diverse funders include crafting proposals, cultivating connections, and cohesively earning dedicated sponsors to support the sustainability of UAA substantially and empowering our programs. Well equipped with professional skills which include program development, public speaking, proposal writing, donor relations, working with diverse stakeholders, coalition building, and public-facing service. Sam’s educational background includes a BS in Animal Ecology with a minor in Animal Science, and a MA in Philanthropy and Non-profit Development.
Jodie Braskich is an experienced professional in the utility industry with a strong background in supply chain and vegetation management. With over 18 years of industry expertise, Jodie continues to contribute her time and knowledge to the continuous improvement of the professional field of UVM. She has been a member of the UAA since 2007.
Josh Beaver is currently senior vice president of Eocene Environmental Group, a utility vegetation management (UVM) consulting and operations firm. Josh has more than two decades of experience within the UVM industry. He is currently responsible for relationship management and oversight of long-term UVM contracts throughout the United States and Canada. He considers customer and community communication to be vital aspects of his role, and he has a proven record of success working with utilities.
Crystal started her career in the Interior Design space but soon found herself 
Felicia brings over twenty years of leadership in management, finance, and governance, with a track record built alongside community partners, executives, and board members. The Nashville-based leader has real strengths in financial forecasting and reporting, clear communication, and the special-project work that helps executives make confident decisions. She’s a creative, collaborative problem solver who thrives in fast-paced settings where every dollar counts.
Jeff has enjoyed a 32-year career in Utility Vegetation Management. He began his career in 1993 with Holy Cross Energy as a temporary groundman. After receiving full time employment in 1994. He worked his way through the department from climber to foreman and eventually department manager in 2018. He brings a real-world approach to the industry.
Jason is a seasoned utility vegetation management professional with almost 20 years of experience leading data-driven, field-tested programs that prioritize safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. Jason is a forward-thinking leader who integrates emerging technologies to extract insights from complex data, streamline workflows, and drive smarter decision-making across the organization.
C. Troy Ross is the president of vegetation management at ACRT and ACRT Pacific. Shortly after graduating from Hocking College with a degree in Ranger Services and Fish and Wildlife, Ross began his career with ACRT at Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation as a contract utility forester in 1999. Since then, he has advanced through increasingly senior leadership roles, supporting vegetation management programs for a wide range of utility types and organizational structures.
A winner of the David H Nabi Award for dedication and service, Dr. Robert Vanderhoof earned his Ph.D. from the College of Forest Resources at Mississippi State University in 1995. A veteran natural resource manager, Robert spent 15 years as Florida’s Deer Management Section Chief during which time he coordinated range management activities across Florida’s seven-million-acre wildlife management area system.
Cindy is the Senior Director, Vegetation Management Services and she manages departments responsible for maintaining vegetation in REC’s rights-of-way with the goal of reducing exposure of the electric grid to tree caused outages while encouraging habitat and species diversity. Cindy also has a consulting business, EcoAcumen, LLC that focuses on residential, commercial and government clients.
Kimberly Laing has had an exciting career in the energy industry, gaining valuable experience in various areas for almost 20 years. During her career, she has worked with numerous customers worldwide in a diverse cross-disciplined technical environment. She has extensive experience working with utilities, asset owners, equipment manufacturers, and consultants to facilitate transmission and distribution projects. Kimberly is particularly passionate about Utility Vegetation Management and its vital role in delivering safe and reliable power.
Fallon is a Utility Arborist and Executive Director of the Utility Arborist Association. Prior to his current role he was responsible for leading vegetation management programs across several upper Midwest states on behalf of a large investor-owned utility. He’s also been an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he facilitated the 
Erin Creekmur has been in the UVM industry for over 20 years. After graduating with a Bachelors in Botany from Northern Arizona University she relocated to Northern California to start her professional career. Starting as a consulting utility pre-inspector with Western ECI she quickly moving up to the ranks to Supervisor under the tutelage of folks like Nelson Money. In 2004, Erin joined PG&E as a Quality Assurance Auditor for the VM program. Eventually becoming the Program Manager for the North Coast Division, helping stand up the beginnings of CEMA as the Emergency Drought Response Initiative Lead for the Enhanced Inspection & Mitigation Program, targeting off-cycle hazard trees across the system. In 2015, Erin moved back to her home state of Arizona and took the role of Division Supervisor with Arizona Public Service, managing both transmission and distribution UVM programs out of the Flagstaff area. As part of her role with APS Forestry Fire and Resource Management Department, Erin had responsibility for creating a Hazard Tree Mitigation program. maintaining APS’s ROW Stewardship Accreditation, FERC reporting, and the Transmission Lidar program. In 2021, Erin took a shift in her career and is now Supervising the Customer Construction and Design team for APS, expanding her overall understanding of the Utility industry. Erin continues to maintain her ISA Utility Specialist Certification and TRAQ. She has also completed certifications in both Six Sigma and Lean Sigma Green Belt through accredited universities. In addition to her current service on the UAA Board of Directors, Erin spent the last 6 years as an officer with the Arboretum at Flagstaff Board of Directors. In her free time, you can find Erin in the woods taking pictures of native plants and beautiful western landscapes.
Christopher King serves as Director of Operations at ArborMetrics Solutions (AMS), based in North Carolina. In this capacity, he is responsible for overseeing operational activities across multiple accounts throughout the Eastern United States. With more than a decade of experience in the utility vegetation management (UVM) industry, Mr. King has held a diverse range of roles, including Groundperson, Foreperson, Contract Forester, Vegetation Management Program Manager, Business Development Manager, and Director of Operations Support.
Matt Goff is a Transmission Vegetation Manager at Georgia Power Company. He lives in Brookhaven, GA with his wife, two daughters, and the family’s two dogs Sam, and Payton. For leisure, he enjoys sports with his family, bird hunting, and salt-water fishing.Matt holds a BSFR from the University of Georgia in Forest Resource Management and he graduated in 1997. He has worked in the vegetation management industry for 26 years. His work experience includes six years as a procurement forester for a forest products manufacturer, and 20 years in the utility vegetation management industry with Georgia Power.
Cody is the Membership Office Coordinator for the Utility Arborist Association, where she supports membership operations with a focus on organization and engagement. She blends her experience in organizing systems, interpreting data, and working closely with people to support both the day-to-day and big-picture needs of the UAA.