Anna Safford – Urban Forest Manager for the City of Fairfax, Virginia
My name is Anna Safford and I’m the Urban Forest Manager for the City of Fairfax, Virginia, my hometown. My urban forestry career started as a young kid playing in the woods behind my backyard. It wasn’t until I took Virginia Tech’s course, “Plants and Greenspaces in Urban Communities,” that I learned I could make a living caring for these woods.
I graduated with a job as a Plant Health Care Specialist/Inventory Arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts. As a woman in arboriculture, I was empowered to approach tree maintenance in ways that met industry best practice but fit my size. Bartlett Tree Experts supported me with technical training as I became an ISA Certified Arborist and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor (TRAQ).
I transitioned to urban forestry when I moved to Sacramento, California to work for the Sacramento Tree Foundation. I was their Stewardship Coordinator helping residents plant trees, organizing community tree care events, and community-science projects. Many projects were in partnership with municipal forestry programs where I got the opportunity to become the City of Davis, California’s Urban Forestry Supervisor. I led tree maintenance crews and coordinated their tree planting program. In 2022, I moved back home and became the City of Fairfax’s first Urban Forest Manager. I’m developing the program starting with an Urban Forest Master Plan, updating tree regulations, and establishing maintenance priorities to address top concerns. I believe trees grow community and it’s exciting to have a hand in it. Tree Cheers!
Scott Ramsey – Arborist for Bartlett Tree Experts
My name is Scott Ramsey, a graduate of Virginia Tech in the spring of 2024. I was awarded a bachelor’s degree in forestry with a focus on urban and community forestry. Since graduating, I have joined Bartlett Tree Experts at their Chesapeake office. Here I have worked as a tree climber and groundman performing scientific tree care along the southeast portion of Hampton Roads. Some of the services that I have helped provide for our client’s trees include pruning, cabling, bracing, and lightning protection. I haven’t had much experience on the plant healthcare side of Bartlett, but I hope to get more involved next growing season. I have enjoyed becoming a steward of our client’s properties and enforcing strict safety protocols. I am still very early in my career, but I am hopeful that with my degree and my passion for arboriculture I can thrive in the forestry world. Soon I will apply to get my ISA Certified Arborist and registered technician. I greatly enjoy getting to work outdoors every day and pursue a new challenge at every site.
Jason Galo – Sales Arborist Representative for G&V Tree Service, Inc.
My name is Jason. I am a sales arborist for G&V Tree Service, Inc. I graduated from Virginia Tech in the Spring of 2024. I was awarded a bachelor’s degree in forestry, focusing on urban forestry, and a minor in Ecological cities. G&V is a family-owned tree care business in Northern Virginia that my father and uncles initiated in 2001. Some of my roles here in the company are to bid work for commercial and HOA management companies. I also assist in creating tree inventories with our other arborists on staff. Some days, I go and show the work to our crews, and sometimes, I join them to achieve the project’s goals. I recently just received the ISA Certified Arborist credential, and I am striving to acquire the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification(TRAQ). My education has helped me become a strong steward for arboriculture and our urban communities. As I just kick-started my career, I am eager to continue my education and expand my skill set. My passion for trees will only grow as I continue to provide for our clients and community.
Jon Matiuk – Municipal Arborist for the City of Rochester Hills, MI
My name is Jon Matiuk, a municipal arborist for the city of Rochester Hills, MI. I graduated with a Master of Forestry degree from Virginia Tech in 2016 which allowed me to choose from a variety of paths in arboriculture. My job as a municipal arborist for a mid-sized suburban city lets me touch on every angle of urban forestry. Some of my responsibilities include pruning and removing trees with an in-house crew, supervising contracted pruning and planting crews, inspecting trees for potential risks, monitoring a variety of invasive pests and diseases, and educating our residents about trees and the urban forest. The variety of tasks that we get to do makes working for a local government surprisingly fun. I love the feeling of being a steward for tens of thousands of trees in the area that I live and having the opportunity to teach people about all of the benefits trees provide and how arborists help maximize those values.
Jason Sprouls – Urban Forestry Program Manager, Cumberland River Compact
My name is Jason and I have been awarded a few degrees from Virginia Tech: I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Forest Resource Management, a Master’s in Forestry with a concentration in Urban Forestry, and a graduate certificate in Watershed Management. My education gave me experiences in arboriculture, stormwater management, advanced Geospatial technologies (GIS), and natural resource policy. Given that our industry integrates so many disciplines, I feel that my degree has been absolutely essential in my career. Since graduating, I have continued to grow my professional skill set by becoming an ISA certified arborist, earning a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), and by attending the Municipal Forestry Institute.
I have established my career in the non-profit sector of urban forestry. Currently, I work at the Cumberland River Compact, and our mission is to address the root causes of water pollution in urbanized areas by supporting individuals and communities through conservation initiatives and by empowering them to care for their land and water through action, education, and collaboration.
My role at the Compact is the Urban Forestry Program Manager. My main job function is to manage the Root Nashville Campaign, which is a public-private campaign in partnership with our local division of Water Services. The campaign has an ambitious goal to plant 500,000 trees by 2050. To help accomplish this, I support our Neighborhood Plating Captains, who are engaged residents that help spread the word about the Campaign for free trees and encourage their neighbors to plant trees. My role includes a lot of awareness raising and partnership building, especially in identifying and supporting Captains in historically underrepresented communities and low-canopy areas of Nashville.
Samantha Matson – Tree Inspector and Tree Work Planner for the City of Roanoke
Sam Matson is the current tree inspector and tree work planner for the City of Roanoke. Originally from Virginia Beach, Sam graduated from Virginia Tech in 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Forest Resource Management and minors in Urban Forestry, Watershed Management, and Wetland Science. Since graduation, Sam has become an ISA Certified Arborist and manages over 20,000 trees in Roanoke City’s parks and right-of-ways. Risk management and health assessment of trees, work planning, and public outreach include a few of Sam’s duties. She also leads several workshops throughout the year focusing on tree ID and how trees and greenspace can improve one’s health and wellness. Sam spends her free time floating the river, hiking, and playing with her dog Finley.
Heather Titanich – Watershed Restoration Coordinator at Stroud Water Research Center
Heather’s expertise is deeply rooted in connecting people with plants, shaped by her roles in public horticulture and urban forestry. With a B.S. in Environmental Resource Management and a minor in Urban Forestry from Virginia Tech, she has worked as a watershed restoration coordinator at Stroud Water Research Center since 2023, and previously as a community forester at the Delaware Center for Horticulture. Her passion for equitable access to green spaces and forest conservation is evident in her work with landowners on conservation practices. Heather is also ISA Certified Arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and mycological forays.
Jamie King – Urban Forest Manager and University Arborist at Virginia Tech
Jamie King has served as the Urban Forest Manager and University Arborist at Virginia Tech since late 2019 and he is developing the school’s first comprehensive urban forest management program. Before beginning the new program at VT, Jamie served the City of Roanoke, VA for 7 years as a field arborist and then the City Arborist. Jamie has a BS in Natural Resource Conservation from Virginia Tech, is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA Municipal Specialist, he holds the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, and serves on the board for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.As the Urban Forest Manager and University Arborist he is responsible for all facets of university tree management on the university’s Blacksburg campus and various other university owned properties within the commonwealth, including high-profile areas such as the Old Growth Forest.
Molly O’Liddy – Urban and Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator with the Virginia Department of Forestry.
Molly O’Liddy is the Urban and Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator with the Virginia
Department of Forestry. Molly assists communities throughout the state to help develop forest
management techniques to foster the growth and health of Virginia’s urban forest canopy. She is an ISA certified arborist, wildland firefighter and graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Natural Resources Conservation and a minor in Urban Forestry. Prior to working for the Department, Molly worked as a Community Forester for the Wyoming State Forestry Division where she helped to enhance community forestry programs statewide. In addition to working in her position, Molly serves as programs chair on the Virginia Urban Forest Council, Trees Virginia, and manages the state’s Tree City USA and Tree Campus USA programs.
Montell Ford – Tree Climber for Bartlett Tree Experts
My name is Montell Forde, I graduated in 2019 with a degree in Urban Forestry from the College of Natural Resources. I have worked in a couple different cities in Virginia since graduating but am currently living in Austin, Texas where I climb trees for Bartlett Tree Experts. I lead a small crew of other climbers as we prune, install hardware or remove the various species of oaks, elms, junipers (and the occasional pine) native to the area. I’m very grateful for this opportunity as we get to care for the individual trees of this massive urban forest in such a complete way. The hands-on experiences I gained from the UF program were unforgettable and, honestly, a super instrumental part in my success post-graduation. Go Hokies!!!
Rudy Delsack – Urban Forester for the District Department of Transportation
Rudy graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Forest Resource Management and minors in Forestry and Urban and Community Forestry. Since May of 2023, Rudy has served the Ward 7 community of Washington D.C. as primary steward of over 10,000 trees along streets, parks, schools, and other public land. His duties as Urban Forester include: processing Special Tree Permits, first responder for emergency storm events, enforcer of the Special Tree Law, responding to public tree concerns, providing ANSI A300 compliant tree work, and urban forestry outreach and engagement. He aims to complete a two-year inspection cycle to ensure a high value urban forest with appropriate structure and function. Rudy became an ISA Certified Arborist in December of 2023.
Sina Hudson – Arborist Representative for Bartlett Tree Experts
Sina has been in the tree care industry since he started with Bartlett Tree Experts in 2016. With a strong interest in the trees and a love of the outdoors, Sina was attracted to Bartlett’s scientific and holistic approach to arboriculture. Sina is an ISA Certified Arborist and Virginia Tech graduate. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resource Management. He works as an arborist for primarily residential properties throughout Falls Church where he helps clients care for their trees in terms of insect and disease management, pruning, lightning protection, and cabling operations. He also manages soil conditions to help maximize tree health. When he is not outdoors, you can find him on the basketball court or coaching high school volleyball.