Pat Covey Named Davey Tree COO and Other People in the News

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Pat Covey Named Davey Tree COO

The Davey Tree Co., based in Kent, Ohio, named Pat Covey (pictured) chief operating officer for all U.S. operations. Additionally, Jim Stief was promoted to executive vice president, operations, and James Doyle was appointed vice president and general manager of The Davey Tree Expert Co. of Canada, Ltd. 

Karl Warnke, Davey’s chairman, president and CEO, says the changes are part of an effort to recognize factors that have been critical to Davey’s success during this unstable economic period.

"Due in part to a strong spirit of innovation, collaboration and determination, we have aggressively managed our business to strengthen our brand image and ensure a successful future for Davey," Warnke says.

Cover has been with Davey Tree for 20 years, joining the company as internal auditor. Since then he’s held various management positions with the company. He earned a degree in business from the University of Wisconsin and is a certified public accountant.

Stief’s areas of responsibility will include all U.S. residential and commercial operations, in addition to the Davey Resource Group. A 33-year employee of Davey, Stief began his career in the Atlanta residential territory. Over the years, he has served in a variety of capacities within the service line, including operations manager of the western region. Most recently, he was vice president and general manager for all U.S. residential and commercial operations. Stief earned a degree in forest resource management from the Virginia Tech School of Forestry.

Doyle will be responsible for both Western Canada (formerly Davey Tree Services) and Eastern Canada (formerly Davey Tree Limited of Canada) Davey operations. Doyle is a 23-year Davey employee who began his career in Davey’s Toronto territory. He has held various positions in the Eastern Canada subsidiary and was most recently named vice president and general manager of the Eastern Canada Davey operations in 2011. Doyle earned an associate’s degree in forestry from Sault College in Sault Ste Marie, ON.

Whitt Joins Becker Underwood

Charles Whitt joins Becker Underwood as communications manager for the United States and Mexico based operations. Charles will focus on beneficial nematodes, inoculants, seed enhancements and turf/horticulture.

Previously, Charles has worked for General Electric and Caterpillar. He joins Becker Underwood from Bunting Magnetics Co. in Kansas where he was vice president, marketing and communications for the past four years.  Charles has obtained his MBA from the University of Rochester.

Brown Named GGIA President

The Georgia Green Industry Association elected Todd Brown, CLP, as its president of its
board of directors. Brown, a certified arborist, is the general manager of The Fockele Garden Co.

The Pattie Group Revs Up

The Pattie Group, Novelty, Ohio, recently named Amanda Ross, contract administrator; John Miller, project director; Brian Knauer, project manager; Brent Smith, garden and property manager; and Mike Maxwell, irrigation foreman.

Direct Solution Adds Talent

Direct Solutions, based in Loveland, Colo., added Brandon Green and Bob Raley to the Grto its Turf & Horticulture team. Green recently earned his master’s degree in agronomy from Auburn University and has five years experience in the turfgrass management experience. He will be providing training and support for the Agrium Advanced Technologies Experience at Farmlinks research and education center in Alabama.
Raley holds a master’s in agronomy from Penn State University and has spend the past five years as director of oeprations for Thousand Acres Lakeside Golf Club, Swanton, Md. Raily provide training and support do Direct Solutions’ internal and external customers throughout the norther nUnited States and Canada, too.

Hughart Returns to Denison Landscaping

Warren Hughart returns to Denison Landscaping, Fort Washington, Md., as an accounts and commercial project manager. Also, Jon Masaracchia joins the company as a track home installation project manager.