Industry Partners & Trainers

Trusted by Industry Partners Across California

Our work is developed and delivered in collaboration with utilities, contractors, workforce organizations, and training teams throughout the state.

Industry-Led Instruction

Our programs are delivered by experienced professionals with backgrounds in utility operations, vegetation management, safety, and workforce development. Instruction is grounded in real-world conditions and field expectations.

Kevin K. Eckert

Kevin K. Eckert is President, Managing Director and Chief Consulting Arborist of Arbor Global (AG). AG provides arboriculture and urban forestry consulting, training, treemanagement and expert witness services to utilities and a diverse clientelle throughout the United States, Hong Kong, Asia, Australia, Central and South America, and around the Pacific Rim.

Kevin has served within the arboricultural industry for over 45 years, including 20 years as System Forester within three different electric utilities designing, administering and supervising measurably successful new tree and vegetation management programs or correcting failed programs. He is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Board Certified Master Arborist, Utility Specialist and ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Instructor. He is a very active leader within the profession currently serving as a Director on the Board of the ISA, past President of the Western Chapter ISA, member of the Hong Kong Urban Forestry Advisory Panel, and President of Smart Trees Pacific, an NGO supporting urban and community forestry. He has received numerous awards from professional associations for his extensive education work and leadership in arboriculture.

Kevin is an Instructor and Mentor for many programs including, but not limited to ISA’s Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, Electrical Hazard Awareness Program (EHAP), and occupational safety for tree workers and the arboriculture industry. Kevin developed and is the Master Instructor for the UpSkill California Utility Vegetation Management Preinspector training program offered at colleges throughout California. This program is designed to build industry capacity in qualified, limited visual tree risk inspectors focused on minimizing the incidence of wildfires caused by trees in power lines.

Bryan Durr

Bryan Durr, ISA, CTSP, is a Certified Arborist and Certified Treecare Safety Professional with two decades of UVM experience. Bryan has been pivotal in driving programmatic growth for utilities nationwide.

He currently serves as Director of Utility Vegetation Management at Rancho Tree Service, overseeing Pre-Inspection, Forestry, Environmental, and Geospatial lines of business. Bryan previously served as Director of Operations at ACRT Pacific and as a Vegetation Program Manager at PG&E.

Bryan is an instructor in the Pre Inspection Training program, educating the next generation of utility foresters to identify and document vegetation conductor conflicts, apply proper clearance specifications, and deliver accurate reporting that drives safe, compliant utility operations.

Erick Palacios

Erick Navarro Palacios is an internationally recognized arborist, instructor, and speaker with more than 20 years of hands-on experience in the tree care industry. He serves as a lead instructor for Utility Line Clearance Arborist and other arboriculture programs at Butte College in Chico, California, and teaches advanced training for utility and residential arborist teams through the International Arborist Institute.

Erick is a Certified Arborist and a voting member of the ANSI Z133 Accredited Standards Committee, where he currently serves as vice chair of the Education and Training Section. His work focuses on safety, technical instruction, and workforce development in arboricultural operations.

Jim Greene

James (Jim) Greene has a forestry degree from West Virginia University. He is an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist and holds a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. He was originally working in the private sector as a consultant in Virginia. He has a strong interest in inspecting vegetation along utility lines. His purpose in coming to California was to work on protecting utility lines and preventing wild fires and outages being on a team in Southern California doing heavy tree assessments and leading a group of those assessors. His focus now is on safety, education, training, and supporting field experience for the next generation of utility inspectors. He feels strongly in giving back to the next generation of inspectors to improve the process.

He has been instructing in the Upskill California Utility Vegetation Management Preinspector training program offered at colleges throughout California since its inception. In 2024 he gave a presentation about the program at a Trees and Utilities conference in Texas and was featured on a Podcast about the training program. He continues to speak to groups in Southern California on the importance of vegetation management along utility lines in support of the utility efforts.

Michelle Lejins

Michelle Lejins is a Regional Supervisor with Eocene Environmental Group of the West, overseeing utility vegetation management (UVM) contracts across Northern California.

She works with utility managers and contract supervisors to ensure alignment with client goals. Michelle has over 10 years of experience in the UVM industry and has held positions including quality control auditor, contract supervisor and contract vegetation program manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Cal Poly Humboldt and a obtained a Foundations of Utility Vegetation Management Certificate from the University of Wisconsin Steven’s Point. Michelle also is an instructor for the UVM Pre-Inspector Course offered by the California Community Colleges. She is an ISABoard Certified Master Arborist, ISA Utility Specialist and ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. She was honored with the Rising Star Award in 2025 for her contributions and leadership in the industry.

Todd Walker

Todd has been in the field of Arboriculture for nearly 20 years. Having run a small tree care business, he transitioned into the utility space 10 years ago, where he got his start as a pre inspector for CNUC (now known as Eocene Environmental Group, West).

Climbing up the ranks, he was promoted to a field supervisor and then Regional Supervisor where he oversaw pre-inspection operations for CNUC on California’s North Coast. He currently lives in Southern California where he continues his work with Eocene, managing a number of projects, writing, and teaching utility arboriculture fundamentals. He is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Instructor, UAA Certified Utility Vegetation Management Professional, and ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist.

Roger Hillard

Roger A. Hillard is the CEO of RAHCO Solutions, Inc., a safety and health consulting firm, and a highly experienced OSHA trainer with over 16 years of hands on industry expertise. He brings a unique blend of real-world application and academic insight, having taught at institutions such as California State University, Dominguez Hills; Mount San Jacinto Community College; and Butte Community College. As an NCCER Master Trainer and certified instructor, Roger specializes in OSHA compliance, workplace safety, and construction training, helping organizations of all sizes improve safety performance and meet regulatory standards.

In addition to his consulting work, Roger has extensive experience delivering training in forklift and aerial lift operations, tree care industry safety, and CPR/AED/First Aid certification through organizations like the American Heart Association and the American Safety & Health Institute. His approach bridges theory and practice, equipping teams with practical skills they can immediately apply in the field.

Eduardo Ramirez

Eduardo Ramirez brings over 20 years of specialized experience in the intersection of trees and utility operations. As a second-generation Utility Arborist and owner of Lion Tree Service, he has developed deep expertise in arboriculture and utility line clearance.

Eduardo is a Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), holding additional credentials as a Utility Specialist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified professional. He is also an OSHA-authorized instructor, as well as a certified CPR and First Aid instructor, and holds a California contractor’s license.

Throughout his career, Eduardo has served in a variety of roles within the arboriculture industry. His primary passion, however, lies in education and workforce development. He currently serves as an instructor for the Upskill California Utility Line Clearance Arborist Program, where he is dedicated to training the next generation of industry professionals.

Alex Conheim

Surrounded by some of the largest living organisms on earth, my career in Utility line clearance arboriculture started near the California coast in the Redwood forest. Growing up just west of Lake Tahoe I am no stranger to large trees and the impact they can have, both positive and negative. I have been fortunate to see some of the best and some of the worst in this industry. Because of that I have strived to educate myself and those around me to be as proficient, efficient, and safe as possible.

19 years in the arboricultural industry has allowed me many incredible opportunities. I have worked as a contract certified climbing arborist, a contract timber faller, a consulting arborist, a site Safety foreman, helicopter assisted tree removal Safety officer, and PI. None of those jobs have allowed a more rewarding and important opportunity than being an educator and trainer in this industry. I am incredibly grateful to wake up everyday knowing our collective efforts are making a difference in the lives around me; keeping the power on, preventing wildfires, and getting workers home safely each night.

Ryan Steele

Ryan Steele serves as a Project Manager for Davey Resource Group, Inc. In this capacity, he is responsible for overseeing projects encompassing Utility Vegetation Management, Post-Wildfire Tree Risk Assessments, Traditional Forestry, and Workplace Safety. Mr. Steele holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University-Idaho and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University. He possesses numerous professional credentials, including ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP), a California Qualified Applicators License (QAL), and is recognized as a Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP).

Mr. Steele possesses more than a decade of experience in the tree care industry, having initiated his career as a Plant Healthcare Technician. His project work has involved various utility companies, focusing on areas such as pre-inspection, gas transmission, tower painting, wildfire prevention pilot projects, and access roads. In 2023, he became an instructor for UpSkill California and has since been teaching the Utility Vegetation Management Pre-Inspector course at colleges across California. Additionally, he is a Red Cross certified CPR/AED/First Aid instructor.

Chris Bruner

With over 29 years of experience in the tree care industry, I am a certified Tree Care Safety Professional and working arborist, serving as an independent contractor, safety and production consultant, and trainer. I’ve worked with some of the top-tier tree companies on the West Coast and across the nation, helping elevate safety standards and operational performance.

I serve as a lead trainer for Academy-Trained programs and as a product representative and consultant for Bailey’s Inc. My background includes instructing over 40 utility line clearance arborist training classes and presenting at major industry events such as TCIA Expo, ArborFest, and ISA chapters.

Jonathan Tank

Jonathan Tank is a Talent Acquisition and Development Manager with 28 years of comprehensive experience in utility line clearance and arboricultural operations. He has built his career from the ground up—progressing from climber to foreman, supervisor, trainer, and manager—giving him a unique, comprehensive perspective on utility operations and workforce development. Jonathan holds multiple industry certifications including ISA Certified Master Arborist, ISA Certified Utility Specialist, and Certified Instructional Trainer, along with specialized credentials in tree risk assessment and safety leadership.

Currently serving as Talent Acquisition and Development Manager at Mountain F. Enterprises, Inc., Jonathan focuses on ensuring skills and talent alignment for critical positions while designing and implementing comprehensive training programs for safe and compliant operations. His expertise spans workforce development, safety leadership, leadership coaching, and technical instruction across all operational departments. Jonathan’s extensive field experience includes leadership roles with major utility contractors including Davey Tree Surgery and Asplundh Tree Expert Co., where he managed crews, conducted safety audits, and oversaw complex utility vegetation management projects.

Jonathan’s professional philosophy centers on the belief that high-performing teams are developed through intentional training, mentorship, and accountability. He views teaching as the most impactful investment for strengthening individuals, improving operations, and advancing the industry. His goal is to continuously learn, develop others, and help build a safer, more capable workforce through comprehensive talent development and applied arboricultural expertise.

The Team Behind the Work

Annie Rafferty

Executive Director

Aligned with Industry. Focused on Safety. Delivering Workforce Excellence

Annie Rafferty, Executive Director of UpSkill California Community College Workforce Training and Director of The Training Place at Butte College, where she leads employer-driven workforce training initiatives serving over 100 employers annually and delivering more than 23,000 training hours across industries.

With over 41 years of experience in workforce and leadership development, Annie previously served as Senior Vice President of Global Training and Development, based in Pennsylvania, where she was accountable for training delivery across 20 offices in 9 countries, ensuring consistency at scale. She has spent the past 18 years leading employer training at Butte College, focused on building safe, job-ready workforces.

Annie currently leads the $5.3 million EDA Resilient Forestry Careers Good Jobs Challenge, expanding Utility Line Clearance Arborist and Utility Vegetation Management Pre-Inspector training across California. Since 2019, UpSkill California community colleges have delivered over 125 cohorts, graduating more than 1,600 workers across 11 colleges statewide.

She facilitates the Butte County Forestry Group, a collaborative network of land managers advancing wildfire resilience, forest health, and ecological restoration, and serves as workforce development lead for the Butte County Biomass Taskforce.

Annie is TWI Job Instruction certified, ISO 9000:9001 certified and actively engaged with leading industry organizations, including UAA, WCISA, TCIA, and ISA. She holds an M.S. in Training and Organizational Development and a B.S. in Business Administration.

Larry Abernathy

Industry Contributor & Subject Matter Expert

Larry Abernathy has worked in the utility vegetation management industry for 55 years. He enjoyed a 49-year career with the Davey Tree Surgery Company and retired in 2018 as their Vice President & General Manager. Larry is a recipient of the 1999 WCISA Award of Achievement, the UAA’s 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2020 UAA President’s Award, the 2025 UAA Education Award and TCIA’s 2021 Pat Felix Volunteer of the Year award. Since 2019, Larry worked with Butte College & the UAA to develop the “Utility Line-Clearance Arborist Training Program” and, in 2021, the “UVM Pre-Inspector Training”. Both programs are being delivered to several community colleges throughout California.

Emiliano Jimenez Cornejo

Instructional Designer & Trainer Development Lead

Emiliano Jimenez-Cornejo helps organizations strengthen workforce training by combining instructional design, facilitation systems, and AI integration.

He serves as Lead Instructional Designer for the Utility Vegetation Management Pre-Inspector Level One and Utility Line Clearance Arborist programs, where he develops all training materials, including presentations, manuals, and custom AI tools. He also trains program facilitators to deliver consistent, high-quality instruction using TWI Job Instruction methodologies in both classroom and field settings.

Emiliano is a TWI Institute–certified trainer, and his work focuses on standardizing training delivery, improving skill transfer, and ensuring training translates into real-world performance.

Jean Sweet

Program Assistant / Logistics and Coordination

Jean Sweet brings 27 years of dedicated service to Butte College, where she serves as Administrative Secretary supporting specialized workforce development programs. She holds a BA in Information and Communication Studies from CSU Chico.

Jean provides comprehensive administrative support for trainers and partner colleges delivering both the Utility Line Clearance Arborist Training (ULCAT) and UVM Pre-Inspector certification programs. Her expertise in coordinating these specialized training initiatives has been instrumental in program success and participant outcomes.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the college and its mission, Jean was honored with the Butte College Classified Employee of the Year award for 2024-2025.

Chris Bruner

Emiliano Jimenez

Built for the realities of the field

Programs are shaped by professionals who understand the expectations placed on crews, inspectors, supervisors, and safety leaders. The focus is practical application, consistency, and readiness.