JASON HOUSE – PRESIDENT
Jason graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. degree in wildlife biology and forest management in 2001. He has worked as a contract forester for Davey Resource Group with FP&L and Georgia Transmission Cooperation before working for Progress Energy. He is currently the Sr. Transmission Forester for Progress Energy Corporation Northern Area. Jason has been an ISA certified arborist for 5 years and a state pesticide applicator for 5 years. This is his 5th year on the board.
LINDA YARRISH – PRESIDENT – ELECT
Linda graduated from Florida International University with a B.S. degree in Environmental Sciences and an Environmental Masters in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University. Linda has worked for Broward County Parks and Recreation, Broward Soil and Water Conservation District and has been employed at the South Florida Water Management District since 1989. Linda is currently a Supervising Scientist in the Vegetation Management Division, Canal/Levee Management Section. Linda previously held the position of secretary to the FVMA. Linda is a member of International Society of Arborcultural and holds a Florida Pesticide License.
SCOTT ANDERSON– SECRETARY
RICH ALEXANDER – TREASURER
Rich graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Forest Resources and Conservation in 1999. He worked within the Forestry Industry, as a consultant, throughout the Southeast for 4 years before transferring into the utility field in 2003. Since moving into the utility industry, Rich has worked with The Davey Resource Group and Environmental Consultants, Inc. Rich is currently a Sr. Forester with Progress Energy in their distribution department assigned to their North Central Region. Rich is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture and the Utility Arborist Association and is a Certified Arborist. In addition, Rich is a State of Florida Pesticide applicator.
PAUL HURYSZ – PAST PRESIDENT
Paul’s previous experience with the VMA’s includes an 8 year tenure with the TVMA (Texas Vegetation Management Association). Leadership responsibilities there included: Scholarship Chairman (’94 – ’00), Vision Committee Chairman (’00), as well as Vice President and Program Chair (’01 – ’02). Paul is currently employed with Progress Energy as a Utility Transmission Forester,. His area of responsibility is the Central Florida Area (Orlando South to Lake Placid). Other duties @ Progress Energy include being the Southern Safety Council Chairman for Southern Transmission. Additionally, his tenure of managing vegetation in the utility industry now spans more than 18 years with most of that experience originating in Texas. Paul’s past employers include Tree’s Inc. and CenterPoint Energy. Paul is an ISA Certified Arborist and Utility Specialist. He also holds a Florida Commercial Pesticide Applicators License. Paul’s educational background includes a B.S. in Forestry/Wildlife Management from LA Tech University, as well as an MBA from the University of Houston Clear Lake. Paul wears many hats outside of the industry which include being a loving father/husband of four wonderful kids and a wonderful wife, baseball and soccer coach, umpire, and Cub Scout Leader. Paul is also very active with his church and parish family, taking on lead roles when and where he can. In Paul’s spare time, his favorite hobby is fresh water fishing.
DAN MARSH – ELECTRIC #1
Dan has been on the board since its foundation and served as President of the Florida Vegetation Management Association 2002 & 2003. Dan graduated with a BS in Agriculture Science specialization in forestry from Penn State University. He has worked as a consulting forester for a variety of utilities throughout the United Stated including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California. He is currently the North Area’s Transmission Forester for Florida Power and Light. Dan is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture and the Utility Arborist Association and has maintained his arborist certification for many years. In addition, Dan is a State of Florida Pesticide applicator.
DAVID HAWLEY – ELECTRIC #2
David is a Compliance Officer for Asplundh Tree Expert Company in north Florida. David served in the United States Marine Corps. He has worked in the line clearance industry since 1996. He is an ISA certified arborist and a certified pesticide applicator. David deals with compliance and safety issues in region 55 of Asplundh in Florida and has a wide range of experiences in the field of training and safety. David is a member of the International Society of Arborist as well as a member of the Utility Arborist Association. He is married with two children. David is the committee chair for the Legislative Committee.
TIM ALLEN – FDOT
From November 2001 to present Tim is The Manager of Roadside Vegetation, and Maintenance Rating Program for The Florida Department of Transportation State Maintenance Division. He is responsible for the Quality Assessment, Policy and Procedures for Turf Management. Tim is a Certified Public Manager from Florida State University, and has an Associate in Science Degree from Saint Petersburg College, in Architectural and Building Construction Technology.
CHRIS KEY – CONTRACTOR/SUPPLIER
Chris is currently the Chairman of the Vendor/Supplier Committee.
PAUL MASON – MANUFACTURER/ DISTRIBUTOR
Paul is the Florida Aquatic / IVM Territory Manager for UAP/CPS, since 2001 served as the FVMA Treasurer from 2004 to 2007. He has been in the Vegetation Management Industry since 1991 working in all aspects of aquatic weed control and industrial vegetation management. Paul is a native Floridian and received his B.S. degree from the University of Central Florida with studies focused on Business Administration and Biology. Other industry memberships include FAPMS, FLEPPC, SFAPMS, MSAPMS, NALMS and NRVMA. Paul, his wife, son and daughter reside in Oviedo, FL.
TRACE WOLFE – AQUATICS
Trace has spent over 34 years in the Vegetation Management Industry, mostly in aquatic plant management. Trace worked over 18 years as an Aquatic Technician and then Regional Manager for AmerAquatic, Inc, with four offices in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. His career began in 1974 at the Coral Springs Improvement District as an applicator. Then in 1977 moved to the private sector joining Florida Aquatic, which eventually grew out of state becoming AmerAquatic. AmerAquatic was sold in 1995, so a new path led to Helena Chemical Company. Trace spent five years with Helena as a Florida VM Product Sales Rep, and then one year as the Branch’s Sales Manager. Trace then joined Clear Waters, Inc. in October 2002 as a partner and Vice President taking over responsibility for Sales and Marketing. Since then developing new business in Right of Way Management, Aeration, and Fountain Sales. Trace has been involved with the FVMA as a sponsor and Board member since 1998.
JOHN MacLAREN – APPLICATOR
TERRENCE (TERRY) WHITECAR – NATURAL RESOURCE/UPLAND MANAGEMENT
Past president of FVMA (2004 /2005) Terry is on his second career employed by UAP Distribution (United Agri Products) as a “Utility IVM Specialist”.
Terry retired as lead forester (transmission) from Progress Energy Florida in June 2005 with over 35 years of line and rights-of-way experience. Terry hired into Florida Power’s line dept in November 1969 after serving 4 years in the United States Navy, Submarine Service. He worked 5 years on a distribution line crew then managed distribution tree trimming crews for 5 years. Terry acquired 10 years of distribution engineering experience before moving permanently to transmission as the rights-of-way inspector. He earned an associate degree in Business Administration and Management. Terry became lead forester responsible for developing an Integrated Vegetation Management program and the associated re-clearing contracts on Progress Energy Florida’s entire transmission system until his retirement.
Terry is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Arborist Utility Specialist (FL-O607BU) subscribes to using ecologically sensitive maintenance and management techniques ”PHC” to maintain plants. Terry holds a Florida Commercial Pesticide Applicators License. He is also a licensed nurseryman with a passion for small native tree species. A life long herpetologist, Terry has conducted safety programs on Identifying Florida snakes for 40 years.
DANA VENRICK – AT LARGE #1
M.S., Extension Agent II, Commercial Horticulture University of Florida, IFAS, Volusia County Extension Service
Graduated form the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master of Science degree from the College of Agriculture. Majored in Biology and Botany and received minors in Chemistry, Fruit Crops and Education. Awarded a Post-Baccalaureate from the University of Florida in Agricultural Education. Promoted to U.S. Army Captain and served as Commissary Officer at the Long Binh Army Headquarters in Vietnam. Taught Biology at Kathleen High School in Lakeland, Florida and Vocational Agriculture at Evans High School in Orlando. Employed as a landscaper and spray technician for the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (Disney). Employed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as Assistant Plant Pathologist and Plant Protection Inspector. Owned and operated an ornamental plant nursery and landscaping business. Owned and managed a citrus, cattle, and timber farm. Currently serving as the Volusia County Pesticide Trainer and Extension Safety Officer. He teaches research- based information to cut foliage producers, citrus growers, production nursery operators, sod growers, vegetable farmers, golf course superintendents and other interested parties.
BILLY MOYE – AT LARGE #2
VACANT – AT LARGE #3
DOUG ROOF – AT LARGE #4
Doug currently serves as the chairman of the membership committee.
BAYNARD WARD – AT LARGE #5
Baynard graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Agricultural Operations Management and a Minor in Food Resource Economics in 2001. He worked within the Agricultural and Forestry Industries until 2004, and then began working for SprayMAX, Inc. and a subsidiary, Advanced Applicators, Inc. His duties include sales and account management throughout the Southeast. He is a certified arborist and member of the International Society of Arboriculture, the Florida ISA Chapter, and is a Certified Commercial Applicator in the State of Florida.
ADVISORY DIRECTORS
DICK BUSH
Dick is a native of north Florida. He has been a vegetation management specialist with the FL DOT for the past 21 years. Prior to that, he was in the nursery business for 30 years in the north Florida area. He has been a certified herbicide applicator for 21 years. Responsibilities include all aspects of vegetation management on 25,000 acres of right of way in District II, FL DOT. He has developed and refined programs such as and including the fertilizer, herbicide, and wildflower programs, vegetation management at outdoor advertising sites, new varieties of turf for roadway work, and presently working on maintenance problems associated with landscaping on DOT rights of way. Dick is a certified arborist.
SCOTT DITMARSEN
Scott is a Senior Sales Specialist in Industrial Vegetation Management for Dow AgroSciences, covering central and south Florida. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Forestry from the University of Minnesota and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Since joining Dow AgroSciences in 1981, Scott has held several different research and development positions in the Midwest before moving to Florida in his current role in 2002. Prior to working for Dow AgroSciences he was a Research Forester with Crown Zellerbach Corporation in Louisiana for three years. Scott has been an active member of several weed science societies, the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, and the Florida Vegetation Management Association and resides in the Tampa area with his wife and two daughters.
ANDY LEWIS - (Co-founder)
J. A. “Andy” Lewis – Andy is a Florida native, now retired to his small farm in north Florida. He devotes most of his time to hunting, fishing, and travel. He serves as a Director with FVMA, a Property Owners Association and the Quality Deer Management Association. In his forty year plus career he served with the State of Florida Department of Transportation in engineering highway design, construction, and maintenance. He served for the better part of his career as the Engineer of Roadside Maintenance for Statewide Operations. He also served as the Bureau Chief of Logistical Services with the Division of Law Enforcement of the Florida of Natural Resources and as a IVM Manager with Timberland Enterprises. Andy has consulted, owned and managed a custom application company and organized and conducted guided western hunts. He is a Certified Senior Engineering Technician, a Certified Prescription Burner and since the inception of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide License for Aquatics, Right of Way and Research. He was instrumental in the organization and formation of the National Roadside Vegetation Management Association (NRVMA) and the formation of the Florida Vegetation Management Association (FVMA). He served as the first elected President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NRVMA. He has served with FVMA as Secretary/Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors. Hs is a strong proponent and supporter of the basis for which the organization was formed – that being Education in and for the profession and practice of vegetation management!
TRACY MAXWELL - (Co-founder and past president)
Mr. Maxwell has been involved with utility operations since 1976. He has supervised tree-trimming crews and managed line clearance operations for F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company and Stackhouse Inc, line clearance contractors. Mr. Maxwell has also been Manager of Special Projects with Davey Environmental Services and Vice President for Urban Forestry, Special Projects and Business Development for ACRT, Inc. providing consulting services to municipalities and utilities. Mr. Maxwell’s utility experience includes Division Forester with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, System Forester for Philadelphia Electric Company and Manager for Gainesville Regional Utilities. Mr. Maxwell has a BA and MA in Plant Ecology and is a Past President of the Florida Vegetation Management Association and Utility representative for the Florida Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.
GARRY SEITZ
Garry has a BS degree from Ohio State University, a MS from the University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. His area of academic experience is agronomy and Horticulture. His work experience includes working for various national companies as Advisor/ Agronomist, employee trainer, Safety and Compliance Officer, Product Evaluation and Owner/ Operator of a vegetation management business. Garry has worked in many of the South Eastern USA states and resides in central Florida. He and his wife have 13 children.
Utility Sites:
-The Tree Line Connection
-The International Society of Arboriculture
-Florida Power & Light Company
-Progress Energy
-GRU
-The Right Tree in the Right Place
-Clay Electric
Pesticide application companies:
-NaturChem.net
Florida Forestry:
-Florida Urban Forestry Council
-Florida Division of Forestry
Pesticide organizations:
-Florida Aquatic Plant
Management Society, Inc.
River & Water
Management Districts:
-Southwest Florida Water Management District
-St.Johns River Water
Management District
Department of Transportation:
-Florida Department of Transportation
University of Florida IFAS
-University of Florida IFAS
Government Contacts/Labels:
-Product Labels
General Pesticide Information:
-EPA
-Safe Pesticide Use
-Herbicide Information