Kevin K. Eckert - Arbor Global

Arbor Global’s founder, President, and Managing Director is Kevin K. Eckert. Kevin brings a strong, international reputation for proven expertise and results to clients. With over 20 years of active, hands-on program research, design, implementation, and management experience, Kevin has developed a high level of knowledge, skills, and abilities with the diversity of issues and challenges encountered in tropical and temperate arboriculture and vegetation management. He is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist and ISA Certified Utility Specialist. In recognition of his significant contributions to Utility Arboriculture, Kevin was awarded the International Society of Arboriculture Utility Arborist Award at its Annual Conference in Birmingham, England.

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Education

B.S. Forestry, West Virginia University
B.S. Recreation & Park Management, West Virginia University
Professional Certifications

Professional Certifications

International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist – WE-1785
International Society of Arboriculture Certified Utility Specialist

Awards

Award of Merit – 2007, Western Chapter – International Society of Arboriculture: Highest award category of the Western Chapter recognizes outstanding, meritorious service in advancing the principles, ideals, and practices of progressive arboriculture.
Honorary Life Membership – 2007 International Society of Arboriculture: Recognition of significant contributions in support of the annual conference.
Kuhina Award – 2002, Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau: Recognizes contribution to Hawai’i’s visitor industry through lead role in the procurement of the International Society of Arboriculture conference in Hawai’i.
Utility Arborist Award – 1998, International Society of Arboriculture: Highest award category for the Utility Arborist Association recognizes significant contributions to utility arboriculture.
Certificate of Appreciation -1997, Edison Electric Institute Vegetation Management Task Force: Recognizes leadership role in the formulation and direction of this national industry policy and lobbying association.

Employment

Arbor Global LLC/Arbor Global Hong Kong Ltd. (President and Managing Director): 2002 – present
Hawaiian Electric Company (System Forester): 1994 – 2002
Eastern Utilities Associates (System Forester): 1989 – 1994
New England Power Service Company (Right-of-Way Forester): 1982 – 1989
Asplundh Environmental Services, Inc. (Now Environmental Consultants Inc.) (Project Manager/Field Supervisor-Data Collection Technician): 1980 – 1982
Practicing Arborist (Supervisor/Climber): 1983 – present

Membership

International Society of Arboriculture: 1989 – present
Chair, ISA 2007 Annual Conference Committee: 2005 – 2007
Hawaii State Arborist Certification Liaison: 1996 – present
Chair of Western Chapter Arborist Certification Committee: 1998 – present
International Society of Arboriculture Certification Liaison Committee: 1998 – present
Chair of Western Chapter Utility Committee: 1995 – 1998
Utility Arborists Association: 1989 – present
President: 2002 – 2003
Board of Directors: 2000 – 2004
Kaulunani, Hawaii the Beautiful, Council (Federal and State-sponsored Urban & Community Forestry Program): 1994 – present
Chair: 1996 – present
Aloha Arborists Association (Local Professional Association): 1994 – present
Green Hawaii Committee (Tree Preservation, Planting, and Community Beautification Team): founded in 2000 – present
The Outdoor Circle (Environmental Association): 1994 – present
The Nature Conservancy (International Environmental Association): 1990 – present
Edison Electric Institute Vegetation Management Task Force: founding in 1990 – 2002
Vice-Chair 1993-95
Chair: 1995-97
Hawaiian Sugar Planters Assoc. Pesticide Management Council: 1996

Activities

As President and Managing Director of Arbor Global, provide full technical, administrative, and executive services for both US and Hong Kong corporations. Actively provide services that include the development, design, oversight, direction, and provision of arboriculture and vegetation management consulting services to electric utilities, government agencies, regulatory agencies, environmental organizations, corporate clients, and property owners and managers within Hawaii, the mainland United States, the Pacific Rim, and Asia. Services include tree risk assessment, tree valuation, tree preservation during construction, program assessment and development, performance auditing, consultation on tree selection, care and maintenance, technical training in professional arboriculture standards and practices, and expert witness services.
As System Forester for HECO and EUA led the design and administration of measurably successful tree and vegetation management programs that provided cost-effective, environmentally sound, and technically correct line clearance and access to facilities along cross-country rights-of-way.
As Managing Director and chief consultant for Hawaiian Electric Company Integrated Vegetation Management Services (IVMS), provided expert arboriculture and vegetation management consulting services to electric utility clients within Hawaii, the mainland United States, and Hong Kong.
Design and conduct comprehensive program audits and recommendations for municipalities and an audit of a major West Coast electric utility for the Public Utility Commission.
Preparation and conduct of professional arborist and tree worker education programs in all aspects of arboriculture, including aerial rescue and electrical hazards awareness programs.
Preparation and conduct of chain saw safety and field maintenance education program for government agencies, tree companies, and Spanish-speaking tree workers.
Preparation and conduct of educational classes for ISA Arborist Certification and Western Chapter ISA Certified Tree Worker candidates across the United States and the Pacific Rim;
Leadership in the development of the revised Western Chapter ISA Certified Tree Worker Exam;
Preparation and conduct of Pesticide Certification/Re-Certification classes at the request of State agencies in four New England States, California, and Hawaii;
Preparation and presentation of informational and educational programs for numerous professional and civic organizations, corporate executives, and managers on topics including utility best management practices, work performance auditing, proper pruning practices, tree identification, right tree/right place programs, tree planting, and care, integrated vegetation management, electrical safety, tree appraisal, hazard tree identification, and tree problem diagnosis;
Design and conduct of numerous research projects on integrated vegetation management methods, herbicide application, and tree growth regulators;
Preparation and presentation of expert testimony to legislative subcommittees, regulatory agencies, attorneys, and the courts.

Articles in Refereed Journals

Eckert, K. K. and P. Simpson. May 1994. “Assessing the Feasibility of Collaborative Utility-Municipal Tree Removal and Planting.” International Society of Arboriculture. Journal of Arboriculture. Volume 20, Number 3.

Books

Eckert, K. K. 2003. Chain Saw Safety and Field Maintenance – A Photo Guide. Hot Pixel Press/Arbor Global LLC. Kailua, HI.

Expert Witness Testimony

Case, Date, Activity, Trial

Lexington Insurance Co., et al v. Cleveland Electric, et al, 2007, Research, Pending
Hopewell v. Hong Kong Planning Board, 2006, Report, Pending
Andrews v . Green Thumb et al, 2006, Research, Pending
West Virginia Flood Litigation, 2006, Research, Pending
Mitchem v. Columbia Forest Products et al, 2006, Review, Pending
Alderman v. Asplundh et al, 2006, Testimony, Trial
WECI v. Davey Tree et al, 2005, Deposition, Settled
Engle v Nilasoni et al, 2005, Research, Settled
Miyamoto v. Hawaiian Electric Company et al, 2004, Deposition, Settled
Hemphill v. Florida Power and Light et al, 2003, Deposition, Settled
Rameriz v. Hawaiian Electric Company et al, 2002, Deposition, Settled
Illinois Power Company ICCC Petition, 2002, Testimony, Settled
Hunt v. USA: Civil No. 99-00420, 2001, Testimony, Settled
ALLTEL et al. v. West Penn Power Company, 2000, Testimony, Adj. Hearing
Mizushima v. Hawaiian Electric Co, Inc., 2000, Research, Settled
Cesar v. Hawaiian Electric Co, Inc., 1998, Deposition, Settled
Plouffe v. Hawaiian Electric Co, Inc., et al., 1998, Deposition, Settled
Nofoa v. USA et al., 1996, Review, Settled
Tau v. Hawaiian Electric Co, Inc., et al., 1996, Review, Settled
Milner v. Hawaiian Electric Co, Inc., 1994, Testimony, Trial