The Chair's Award is presented each year by the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Tree Care Industry Association. The recipient is honored at the Winter Management Conference in February.

Chair honors Tony Gann for Visionary Leadership
Presented by outgoing Chair Randy Owen during Winter Management Conference in February 2011

When I looked back at my years of service on the Board, and more closely on my year as Chair, I thought about who to honor this year with the Chair’s Award. I recognized that there is someone who has worked tirelessly in recent years on behalf of the industry. None of us works alone. As a Board, we struggle with issues and hope to seek consensus on behalf of the membership and the industry at large. Sometimes, serving as a volunteer can be an unappreciated role. Many times, those around you have no idea what contributions have been made. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to work with volunteers who make the group and the entire industry better.

In this profession, and especially as a member of this association, I have had the privilege to work with some of the best. No matter what issue we faced as a Board throughout the year, I knew that this person would be willing to stand up for what was right.

From his first day on the Board, he was an honest and straight-forward advocate that all of us could rely on to speak truthfully – even if that truth was sometimes uncomfortable. More than once, he persuaded the Board to think through a challenge from a different angle. I have had the pleasure of watching his tremendous contributions for the last six years and have been the recipient of his wise counsel, encouragement and advice. I have learned from him and enjoy his friendship. As he heads out the door this morning, probably to a well-deserved round of golf, I want to thank him for having the vision and determination to help the tree care industry along on its transformation. Tony Gann, you were a great leader for the times. It was an honor to work beside you. Congratulations and best wishes for the future.