Ash Connelly, formerly the vice president & lead arborist from Charleston Tree Experts, appreciated early on when she joined the company in 2020, how challenging it was to stay up to date on all the things it takes to run a tree care business, particularly around safety protocols. Ash is now assistant market leader after Charleston Tree Experts formalized a partnership with SavATree and sees things on an even bigger scale as they continue to expand and grow.
“TCIA helps us stay up to date on all the latest safety protocols. They are a real hub – a one stop resource. This is huge for a small business that doesn’t have the time to track down every change at each department level,” she said. She believes membership has saved them both considerable time and money. Above and beyond safety, TCIA Accreditation played a pivotal role in fine-tuning every aspect of the business, from business planning to recruitment to employee training.
Within two years of completing the Accreditation process, the size of their company tripled. Connelly said the rigorous process and the resources also helped them attract and keep high-caliber employees.
The networking opportunities TCIA provides has also become a valuable asset, connecting the team with a community of like-minded professionals.
Being part of this nation-wide network allows us to tap into a wealth of knowledge, whether from those ahead in their business or facing similar challenges. It serves as a resource for creative problem-solving.” – Ash Connelly
Accreditation also helped open the door to their new partnership with SavATree (February 2024). “At some point, we may have reached that level, but it would have taken a lot longer,” she explained.
Ash also mentioned that participating in the women’s peer-to-peer group has been “life-changing.” Her encouragement inspired others to join through striking up a conversation on a bus on the way to an excursion at Winter Management Conference. It was the connection in that conversation which planted the seed for another member to get involved with the women’s peer-to-peer group. That member told her that if they hadn’t met and started talking, she might not have ever joined.
Ash is also passionate about the importance of sustainable business practices to the entire industry. It’s part of why she appreciates being a member of TCIA. “Until we are all elevated as a community of professional companies, the industry will not be regarded as a viable career choice.”
Looking ahead as part of their partnership with SavATree, Ash wants to have an even bigger impact on the industry and hopes to eventually transition into a more regional role to have an even broader influence within the arboriculture sector.
This article was featured in the TCIA brochure: MEMBERSHIP MATTERS: Companies That Make the Most out of Their TCIA Membership. This brochure showcases profiles of TCIA members, offering insights into how they leverage their membership across the essential domains of their businesses: safety, workforce development, advocacy, training, sales & marketing and business strategy.
To see the full brochure, click here.