Davey Tree announces president and COO

This promotion represents an expansion of responsibilities for Covey, who in 2014 was promoted to president and chief operating officer of U.S. operations. In his new role, Covey will be responsible for all of Davey Tree’s operations throughout North America.

 

“We continue to replenish our executive team in a thoughtful, systematic way. Promoting from within the company to accommodate growth expectations and creating opportunities for people defines the Davey culture,” said Karl Warnke, chairman and CEO.

 

This appointment comes at a time of stable growth for the company, fueled by a greater focus on its strategic plan, “Vision 20/20.” Since launching the plan in 2013, Davey Tree has acquired over a dozen companies, increased its revenues to approximately $825 million and increased the number of employees to more than 8,600. The company operates in 48 states, including Hawaii and Alaska, as well as five provinces in Canada. Davey is the 15th largest employee-owned company in the U.S. and the largest in Ohio. 

 

Warnke said Covey has broad experience within the company and has demonstrated key leadership qualities and a deep commitment to Davey during his 24-year tenure.

 

“Pat’s promotion is an integral part of a long-term strategic succession plan at Davey,” said Warnke. “During his tenure at Davey, Pat has been exposed to many different aspects of the business, including operational responsibility. This experience has allowed him to gain the perspective and clarity of thought necessary for this position. Through his leadership roles within the company, Pat has worked hard to strengthen Davey’s operational performance and brand recognition.”

 

Over the years, Covey has served in various capacities with increasing responsibility in both the field operations and the operations support segments of the company. Covey joined Davey in 1991 as internal auditor. He transferred to eastern utility operations in 1993 and was promoted to administrative manager in 1996. He was appointed a team leader on the SAP implementation project and managed the systems and process team from 2000 to 2003. In 2003, he was promoted to vice president of southern utility operations, and in 2005, he was promoted to vice president and general manager of the Davey Resource Group. In 2007, he was promoted to executive vice president, operations, a title he held until he became chief operating officer, U.S. operations, in 2012. He is a member of the executive leadership group for the Davey strategic plan and serves as captain of the smart growth team.

 

Covey earned a degree in business from the University of Wisconsin and is a certified public accountant. Covey is a member of the board of trustees for the Arbor Day Foundation and is a board member of Environmental Design, Inc., of Houston, Texas. He also serves on the board of directors of Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio, as well as the Portage County Development Board. He is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture. 

 

Brown is executive vice president for finance and administration and CFO for FedEx Freight. Brown began his career in Ernst & Young’s audit practice in 1977. He joined Roadway Services in 1990 as assistant to the vice president and controller and later served as vice president of human resources for Caliber System. Brown joined FedEx Corp. in 1998 as staff vice president–controller. He held financial management positions at FedEx Corporate Services and FedEx Logistics before joining FedEx Freight in 2001 as senior vice president and CFO.

 

A Northeast Ohio native, Brown graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is a member of the Board of Advisors for Miller Transfer & Rigging, and a past member of the Board of Directors and treasurer for the Memphis Development Foundation. He serves as an advisory board member of the Kent State University College of Business Administration National Advisory Council.