In the world of Industrial Vegetation Management (IVM), the difference between a service provider and an industry leader comes down to stewardship. For Alligare, a leader within the utility and rights-of-way (ROW) landscape, stewardship is a functional requirement for the safety and reliability of our infrastructure.
A Solutions-First Approach
Founded in 2002, Alligare has evolved from a manufacturer into a dedicated solutions provider. Despite being a lean organization of fifty-five employees, Alligare carries the weight of a global powerhouse through its parent company, ADAMA.
“Alligare is a post-patent herbicide manufacturer with the largest portfolio of products in the industry,” says Jeff Johnson. “My role is market development specialist for the transportation and energy segment, which includes utilities, railroads, and state DOTs. These individual markets influence decision-making and best practices for the entire Industrial Vegetation Management (IVM) industry. As we’ve evolved, Alligare has transitioned from a manufacturer to a solutions provider, this includes offering technical expertise and working together with our industry partners in the field.”
Alignment of Mission and Values
For Alligare, deepening its involvement with the UAA was a strategic response to a shared vision. This alignment is codified in its Transportation & Energy segment’s three core pillars: provide safety, preserve infrastructure, and protect the environment.
“Our values align with the UAA’s message,” says Johnson. “It’s about taking care of vegetation and how we do this conscientiously as stewards. The synergy between Alligare and the UAA is strong. Our partnership provides an opportunity to work with utilities on more than just a product basis. It allows us to focus on environmental stewardship and the forefront of herbicide technology.”
The Value of Collaboration
While logos may provide brand recognition, Alligare views its UAA sponsorship as a gateway to high-level industry conversations. The UAA provides a unique forum where “boots on the ground” practitioners meet the visionaries shaping the future.
“The UAA has a unique ability to connect us with the folks on the cutting edge of industry changes, like AI and drones,” Johnson explains. “We are looking at what we are doing now, and what we need to do in the future, to remain successful, by tying together technology and chemistry.
“This collaboration directly impacts product development. When we understand how drone technology and other capabilities are evolving, we can improve our formulations to increase the effectiveness of those applications.”
Advancing the Industry Message
Johnson praises the UAA for amplifying the industry’s professional standing through high-quality publications and regional events. He sees the UAA playing a vital role in bridging the gaps between different sectors of rights-of-way management.
“The messaging is fantastic, and the Newsline publication is an excellent resource, but the collaboration is the most significant part,” says Johnson. “At the end of the day, we are managing vegetation to ensure the power stays on and essential goods and services reach their destination. If this broader scale is where the UAA is transitioning in the future, I’m excited to see it. It facilitates the sharing of experiences and allows us to learn from what others have tried.”
Vancouver and the Global Stage
Johnson and members of the Alligare team will be attending the Rights-of-Way Symposium (ROW 14) in Vancouver, May 11- 14. He says the event provides a platform for leadership that annual conferences cannot match.
“It reinforces our message as a leader in this industry,” Johnson says. “When I look at how the UAA approaches ROW management, stewardship is the key. By coming together, we can reach colleagues and competitors to find collective solutions. If there is a challenge in the field, we all face it together.
“Because this event only happens every three to four years, you see a massive difference in geography and locations. Going from a place like Charlotte, North Carolina, to north of the border in Canada means the vegetation and weather challenges are entirely different. It’s an opportunity to learn and understand those regional nuances.”
The Value Proposition
When asked what he would say to a company considering UAA sponsorship, Johnson notes that the value lies in being an architect of change rather than just a vendor.
“The value can be tough to quantify in simple numbers, but initially, it’s about being recognized as an industry leader and having a stage to deliver your message,” Johnson explains. “We want it known that if changes are taking place, Alligare will initiate and participate in those changes. Supporting the UAA and the ROW Symposium reinforces that commitment and signals the willingness to invest in initiatives that strengthen and advance the industry.”
Looking Ahead
As the UAA evolves, Alligare envisions a relationship that grows through active participation, from speaking opportunities to contributing through leadership.
“As the UAA evolves, the opportunity for Alligare to become more involved will continue to present itself,” adds Johnson. “The vision is to succeed in the current environment and help shape the future of rights-of-way management. We want to offer the industry more than just a product. We want to offer solutions.”
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 
Renée is our Member Services Manager. She is available to UAA members for questions on committee assignments, educational opportunities, scholarships, CEU questions, and any other assistance.
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.