A Record-Setting Year for Trees & Utilities
The number of attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers hit an all-time high at Trees & Utilities in Texas this year.
“More than 1,200 people registered for the event, which is 200 more than last year, so we’re looking at 25% growth on average since 2023,” said Dan Morrow, Vice President, Programs and Partnerships at Arbor Day Foundation.
UAA Executive Director Dennis Fallon added, “We welcomed a large number of first-time attendees in Fort Worth and reconnected with many others who return each year.”
Attendance has climbed significantly since coming off T&U’s virtual event in 2021 with 541 people. In 2022, the number jumped to 885, then increased to 991 in 2023.
The international draw was also impressive this year with people traveling to Fort Worth from Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
Dive into Trees & Utilities Highlights with Kimberly Laing
A dedicated attendee since her first event in Omaha, UAA Vice President Kimberly Laing shares her reflections on the energy, inspiration, and community that make T&U such a vital experience.
What was your overall impression of the Trees & Utilities Conference in Fort Worth, Texas?
Kimberly Laing: “Trees & Utilities is my favorite conference, and the anticipation leading up to it was palpable. This year was exceptional! The record attendance, beautiful location and perfect weather added so much to the experience. The exhibit hall was buzzing with energy—there was a noticeable momentum, with lots of foot traffic and the conference speakers engaged us in discussions on timely and informative topics. The awards luncheon is always a highlight as we recognize and celebrate our peers in the industry.
“The Trees & Lines Vegetation Management Podcast caught many attendees for interviews, which I can’t wait to hear. Plus, the silent auction was a hit, featuring many unique items, including a handcrafted charcuterie board from the Grow with Trees team, which really added a personal touch.
Was there a particular highlight that stood out to you this year?
“The keynote speaker’s rally mentality really resonated with the audience. Shannon McKain had a number of people participating with pom poms, creating a lively atmosphere. Her message of perseverance was inspiring, especially when she showed a clip of her finishing a race. It was about the journey, not just the outcome, and you could feel the pride she had in her accomplishment.”
Why do you believe T&U is a valuable event for attendees?
“My first conference in Omaha in 2018 was pivotal; it connected me to my passion for the industry. During the awards luncheon that year, we watched a LifeLines video about environmental stewardship. It became a hook moment for me. I realized this industry is where I belong. These are my people. It’s the reason I am here today.
“The camaraderie is fantastic, but the educational component is equally important. It’s like hitting a reset button—attendees leave with fresh perspectives, articles to read, topics to explore, and new connections. It’s truly my compass conference for goal setting and navigating the industry.”
How are you feeling about your recent election to UAA Board Vice President?
“I’m thrilled to serve the UAA. It’s a humbling opportunity, and I’m eager to learn from my peers and other board members. There’s a lot of hard work ahead, but I’m energized and excited to be part of this journey. I’ve previously been involved with the environmental stewardship and the outreach committees, and I look forward to addressing resource gaps in our industry and the Pro-UVM initiative.”
What are your goals for this role?
“I’m passionate about environmental stewardship and outreach, particularly promoting women and underrepresented groups in our field. I’ll work to promote the UVM industry to attract, recruit and retain talent, and champion the field of utility forestry so that young people can envision a career path with growth opportunities right out of school. The Environmental Concerns in Rights-of-Way Management (ROW14) International Symposium will be in Canada in May 2026, when I’ll be UAA president, so that will be a special milestone.
“I’m still in the process of defining my goals, especially with four years to make a meaningful impact. I would love to engage with membership as well, to see what our top priorities are collectively. My door is always open to chat!”
In addition to her role on the UAA Board of Directors, Kimberly Laing is a Business Development Manager at ArborMetrics Solutions (Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada, where she is responsible for supporting long-term market growth and partnerships. Learn more about Kimberly or contact her here.
Raising Funds and Awareness at the Silent Auction
The 2nd Annual Silent Auction at Trees & Utilities was a resounding success, raising just shy of $9,000 to support the Nelsen Money Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Arbor Day Foundation.
“There were 33 items donated this year, showcasing the spirit of community and collaboration within the industry,” says Craig Kelly, who co-chairs the event along with Jim Neeser, UAA Board Treasurer.
Among the top-sellers in 2024: a Sthil Chainsaw, which fetched an impressive $1,690, an REI Gift Card & Camping Essentials for $750, and an Apple iPad Pro that sold for $701. Other popular items included a Wine Travel Suitcase at $550 and a Fishing Package for $420.
“We made a strategic change this year by relocating the auction items to the registration desk an hour before the auction closed, resulting in increased bidding activity,” adds Kelly. “In the future, plans are in motion to showcase the auction items even earlier, potentially right after lunch, to maximize visibility and engagement. Be sure to visit the Silent Auction App to stay in the know.”
The Silent Auction plays a vital role in supporting educational initiatives and environmental stewardship. We look forward to the 3rd Annual Silent Auction at Trees & Utilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, September 9 – 11, 2025.
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.
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.
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 will 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.
Sara Dreiser is a Senior Program Manager with ComEd. She works with a team to oversee ComEd’s routine cycle maintenance and ComEd’s interruption investigation programs. She has been working in the Vegetation Management industry for close to 15 years.
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.
Brandon graduated from Minnesota State University–Mankato with a B.S. in Geography. Brandon has been with Rainbow Tree Company since 2009 and has gained experience in several roles, including Business Developer for our utility products division, GIS Tree Inventory Analyst, and Technical Arborist. Brandon has been the Director of VM Services, the fastest growing division inRainbow Tree Company, since 2012.
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.
Amanda Opp, Certified Utility Vegetation Management Professional Flathead Electric Cooperative, Integrated Services Manager, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Course Facilitator
Jim Neeser is a business developer for the Davey Resource Group, a division of the Davey Tree Expert Company. Jim primarily works with utility companies to provide innovative and customized solutions. Jim earned his AA from Vermillion Community College in 1997 and his BS in Forestry with an emphasis on Hydrology and Soils from the University of Minnesota in 2000. Jim is an ISA Certified Arborist with the Utility Specialist endorsement. Jim has been involved in the UAA training committee for nearly a decade as a past chairman and is currently the treasurer and Champion of the finance committee. Jim spent his first 7 years in the industry as a field arborist in the commercial and utility markets. The last 10 years, Jim has been working with utility companies to enhance their Integrated Vegetation Management programs. Jim’s other interests include spending time with his family, sports, hiking, fishing and coin collecting. Jim is also active with the Boy Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout. Jim lives in Forest Lake, MN with his wife and 2 children.
Adam’s experience includes leading business development strategies for a utility vegetation management consulting firm, vegetation management field operations at two major investor-owned utilities in the southeastern US, project management at a variety of utilities in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern regions, and vegetation management program development and assessments across the country. His utility arboricultural experience provides a broad understanding of the many different methods used to create a successful utility right-of-way, vegetation management program, including remote sensing, data analytics, optimization, and the utilization of third-party consulting foresters for planning and auditing duties.
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.
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.
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 
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.
Diona has been with the Utility Arborist Association (UAA) since December 2015 and has worked in various capacities within the organization.