Every year at the Winter Management Conference, TCIA honors three arborists that have made contributions to the tree care industry. This year’s winners were awarded for their contributions as industry leaders and volunteer service. Following is a list of all the winners and a link to a video tribute.
Leader and Mentor Will Nutter Honored with Award of Merit
TCIA was proud to honor the legacy and career of Will Nutter for the 2021 Award of Merit, posthumously, for his passion and his contributions to the industry as a leader, mentor and positive force for more than forty decades.
TCIA’s Award of Merit is the highest honor paid by TCIA to an individual or company that has positively impacted the field of arboriculture, regardless of membership in the association.
Will served as president and chief operating officer (COO) of Wright Tree Service. He was the senior vice president and COO of Wright Service Corp. Under his leadership, Wright Tree Service grew to be widely recognized for utility vegetation management services in the industry, including integrated vegetation management, storm restoration, and work planning services for railroad and utility companies and their communities across North America.
His career began in 1982 as a groundsman for Wright Tree Service. He continued to be promoted through the ranks serving many roles. These roles included general foreman, division supervisor, division manager, operations manager, vice president, and ultimately president and COO in 2008.
Will also served as president of the Utility Arborist Association (UAA) and as chair of the TREE Fund Board of Trustees.
Watch the full video tribute to Will to hear from his family, friends, and colleagues.