The Outstanding Student Members

 

2004-2005 Outstanding Student Member
Crisi Suarez
Major: Forestry (Urban Forestry Option)
Class: 2005
Currently, I’m:
Advice for current students:

 

2005-2006 Outstanding Student Member
Michael Pavlis
Major: Forestry (Urban Forestry Option) (MS)
Class: 2007
Currently, I’m: a tree maintenance supervisor with the City of Savannah and a certified arborist. I routinely inspect trees for pruning and removals, and response to citizens concerns regarding city trees. I also oversee the installation and maintenance of over 800 trees annually and the small tree program. In addition I maintain the tree canopy in the historical district of Savannah, it's parks and squares.  I am also involved with the training of employees, keeping them abreast of current safety practices, trends and equipment.
Advice for current students: Enjoy your time at Virginia Tech you will miss it! Join the Urban Forestry Club and climb some trees. Spend your summers working the in the arboricultural field it is valuable experience that all employers are looking for.

 

2006-2007 Outstanding Student Member
Stephen Jordan
Major: Forestry (Urban Forestry Option)
Class: 2007
Currently, I’m: Working for Bartlett Tree Experts in Springfield, VA
Advice for current students: Always keep  every option open and look for opportunities to expand your knowledge.

 

2007-2008 Outstanding Student Member
Ethan Crockett
Major:Forestry; Dual Concentration: Urban Forestry & Industrial Forest Operations
Class: 2008
Currently, I’m: an Estimator for Arborwell Professional Tree Management in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.  My main market involved the Peninsula's residential sales market, but many of our clients are corporate campuses based out of the Silicon Valley.  We offer all arboricultural services from large tree transplants to pruning and plant health care services.
Advice for current students: In urban forestry, you can never be satisfied with "good enough."  It is a continually growing field for education, technology, clients, and the trees themselves; there is always something that can make you a better arborist.

 

2008-2009 Outstanding Student Member
Joe Hoffman
Major: Urban Forestry (MF)
Class: 2009
Currently, I'm: an Instructor for the Urban Forestry Technician Program at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, WI.  I teach plant health care, pruning, climbing, rigging, chainsaw operations, and arboriculture courses.

Advice for Current Students:  Your education has 3 components that rely on one another:  your college coursework, your work experience, and your involvement in professional associations.  Your degree will be your "foot in the door" to the industry.  Your experience and involvement will allow you to choose among greater doors.  Don't hesitate to go where the work is and get connected...the life-long payoffs are beyond your imagination.  And, in all you do, always put your best foot forward.