Steve Geist, Swingle’s plant pathologist, received the International Society of Arboriculture’s 2003 Honorary Life Membership award. The honor is granted to members of ISA who have contributed materially and substantially to the progress of arborculture and has given unselfishly in their efforts to support arborculture.
Specifically, Geist earned the award for his instrumental work in researching, evaluating and promoting numerous methods related to growing healthy trees in the high plains of the arid west. He has served as president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of ISA twice. And not only has he done extensive work on the technical side of the arbor industry, he has also been a rider and significant fundraiser in the Tour des Trees. Geist recently finished his sixth Tour des Trees, bring his total riding distance to more than 3,600 miles and raising more than $30,000 for tree research.
Geist has been with Swingle for 20 years, working continuously with arborists around the nation on industry-related concerns. With eight certificates and licenses to his name, he is a qualified professional. Geist is a member of six industry organizations and has served on boards for each. He also has been on national and statewide committees for the improvement of the green industry.
“We value having Steve as a part of the Swingle family and the many limitless contributions he makes to better the green industry,” explains Thomas R. Tolkacz, president, Swingle.