GAA Awards Program
Our arboricultural community and our GAA members, especially, work hard all year long to create a lasting impact on our industry and the trees of Georgia.
Throughout the year, the Georgia Arborist Association pays close attention to those that are making an impact and recognizes these supporters through the GAA Awards Program which are presented after the close of the year at our annual Awards banquet.
Take a look at our Award Categories and qualifications below! If you or someone you know qualifies for an award that is open to membership nomination and should be considered, feel free to submit a nomination.
Please fill out the nomination form associated with each award and upload required supporting documents. Nominations are due by December 2, 2024.
Required supporting documents:
Please provide documentation of your nominee's demonstrated contributions to the our community & the arboriculture industry.
Peer/Industry Nominated Awards Categories:
White Oak Award:
This award is for an individual/company/association who has demonstrated leadership, commitment, innovation, impact & sustainability in tree work.
Community Service Award:
Awarded to the company who has best demonstrated their interest in community service to the industry during the year.
Friend of the GAA:
Awarded to the individual/company/organization who has gone out of their way to support arboriculture as an industry and/or the GAA and it’s educational goals.
Commercial Arboriculture Safety Award:
Presented to the company that initiates the most innovative safety practice or safety program and is an example to the industry for creating a culture of safety within an organization.
Board/Committee Nominated Awards Categories:
Kim Coder Education Award:
Awarded to an individual in recognition of lifetime achievement for a career of educational efforts. The person who receives this award best demonstrates Dr. Coder’s commitment to educate arborists and the public about trees and professional tree care.
GAA Member of the Year Award:
The award is presented to the individual member who has shown the best support for the GAA and all its activities during the year.
GAA President's Award:
This award is presented to an individual/company/organization for their efforts on behalf of the GAA. The Award recipient is chosen by the President of the Board.
Tree Climbing Championship Impact Award:
This award is presented to the individual with the most impact and dedication in planning and managing the largest event of the GAA. The Award recipient is chosen by the chair of the event.
GAA Arborist of the Year Award:
The award is presented to the individual member who has shown the best support for the GAA and all its activities during the year.
Company of the Year Award:
The award is presented to the individual member who has shown the best support for the GAA and all its activities during the year.
If you have any questions about the GAA Awards Program, Banquet, or nominations please reach out to us at info@georgiaarborist.org
Previous Award Winners
Kim Coder Education Award
Awarded in recognition of lifetime achievement for a career of educational efforts. The person who receives it best demonstrates Dr. Coder's commitment to educate arborists and the public about trees and professional tree care.
2023: Joan Scales, Georgia Forestry Association
2022: Dr. Jean Williams-Woodward, University of Georgia
2021: Tierson Boutte, Boutte Tree
2020: David Dechant, Arborguard
2019: Mary Lynne Beckley, Georgia Tree Council
2018: Chris Barneycastle, Barneycastle Forestry Services
2017: Joe Burgess
2016: Ed Macie
2015: Marcia Bansley, Trees Atlanta
2014: Nancy Beckemeyer
2013: Patrick Mawhinney, Prestige Shrub and Tree
2012: Peter Jenkins, TreeInspection.com
2011: Dale Higdon, Retired Georgia Forestry Commission/Consultant
2010: Spence Rosenfeld, Arborguard Tree Experts
2009: Gary Peiffer, DeKalb County Extension
2008 (no award given)
2007: Hugh Tyer, Arborist/Consultant
2006: Kim Coder, PhD, Warnell School of Forest Resources, UGA
Community Service Award
Awarded to a company or person who has best demonstrated their interest in community service, including in GAA service events, during the year.
2023: Georgia Tree Council
2022: Georgia Forestry Commission
2021: Brian Williams, Trees Atlanta
2020: Kay E.
2017: Dan Bauer, Arbor Equity
2016: Dan Bauer, Arbor Equity
Company of the Year
Presented to the company which stands out in its support of and help with GAA activities during the year.
2023: Gunnison Tree Service
2022: New Urban Forestry
2017: Davey Tree Experts
2016: Downey Tree Services, Inc.
White Oak Award
This award is for demonstrated leadership, commitment, innovation, impact and sustainability in tree work.
2023: Save Georgia's Hemlocks
2022: Logan House, Arbor Equity
2021: Greening Youth Foundation
2020: Shem Kendrick & Jeff Padgett, Coastal Arbor Care
Members of the Year
This award is presented to the individual who has shown the best support for GAA and all of its activities.
2023: Shem Kendrick, Coastal Arbor Care
2022: Joan Scales, Georgia Forestry Commission
Past winners: Ellen Bauske, Dept. of Plant Pathology, Program Coordinator, UGA Center for Urban Agriculture
Rolando Orellana, Urban Water Management Agent, University of Georgia, Urban Agriculture
Friend of GAA Award
Awarded to the person, company or organization that has gone out of their way to support arboriculture and/or the GAA and its educational goals.
2023: Aaron Poulsen, Gwinnett Tech
2022: Neil Norton, Treeinspection.com
2021: John Snow, Founder Tree Check Up Pro & Terry Raby, President Airtech Tools
2020: Richie Braman, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Center for Urban Agriculture Systems Administrator and Developer;Husqvarna, David Breeden, Territory Manager-Metro Atlanta
2017: Mary Lynn Beckely, Georgia Urban Forest Council; Gretchen Musser, ARBORology, LLC; Drew Preston Georgia Forestry Commission
2016: Bob Delbridge; Georgia Forestry Commission
GAA President Award
Awarded to the current President of the GAA for his/her efforts on behalf of the organization, or a special award given by the GAA Board President.
2023: Siren's Project
2022: Brian Ziegler, Gunnison Tree Service
2021: Christie Bryant
2017: Chris Barneycastle
2016: Rusty Lee
Tree Climbing Championship Award
Awarded to the person responsible for planning and managing this high-visibility GAA event or to the volunteer who helped.
2023: Danae Jackson
2022: Christie Bryant, Speaking for the Trees
2017: Mark Collins
2016: Eric Gansauer
GAA Arborist of the Year
Awarded to the arborist who has most supported the organization by being involved in many aspects
of our work and activities during the year.
2023: Kay Evanovich, City of Decatur
2022: David Breeden, Husqvarna, Georgia Tree Masters, Arbor Pro Consulting & Training
2021: Christie Bryant
2017: Josh Correll
2016: David Dechant
Commercial Arboriculture Safety Award
Presented to the company or individual in a company that initiates the most innovative safety practice or safety program.
2023: Top Tier Trees
2022: Boutte Tree
2017: Arborguard Tree Specialists
2016: Boutte Tree, Inc.