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International Society of Arboriculture
PO Box 191
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
United States

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International Society of Arboriculture
270 Peachtree St NW, Suite 1900
Atlanta, GA 30303
United States

    Climbers' CornerTree Academy
    MondayTuesdayWednesday

    PANEL DISCUSSION: Superstorm Sandy: Lessons Learned

    Summary

    “Superstorm” Sandy was one of the worst hurricanes ever to hit the eastern United States. Her unusually large size, slow movement, and unusual westward track made for a “worst case” scenario with devastating wind damage and unprecedented coastal flooding---and her target was the nation’s most densely populated coastline.

    Electric utilities in the path of Sandy were presented with challenges well beyond those encountered in more typical coastal storms. Strong and unrelenting winds caused tree failures of the kind and scope rarely seen; floods isolated entire communities from access, making many homes unsafe to accept electric power; and a severe winter storm arrived just afterward to further delay restoration efforts.

    Utility foresters from New Jersey, New York, and New England will discuss their experiences before, during, and after the superstorm.

    Topics will include:

    • Sandy’s development, track, and regional impacts
    • Procurement, logistics and support of mutual assist crews
    • Putting a storm command structure in place to effectively deploy thousands of forestry workers
    • Communicating with customers, media, and public officials
    • Dealing with residual tree risks to electric systems during post-storm follow-up 

    The panel will address the unprecedented challenges, lessons learned, and some positive outcomes which resulted from the superstorm.

    Presenters

    Robert Lee is the Forestry Manager for Jersey Central Power & Light, an electric utility operating company of FirstEnergy Corp.; he joined JCP&L in 1990 as a division forester.  JCP&L service territory includes northwestern New Jersey and the coastal area from Barnegat to Sandy Hook. Prior to JCP&L,  Lee was city forester for the City of Summit.  He has a BS in Natural Resource Management from Cook College, Rutgers University; he is an ISA Certified and a NJ Certified Tree Expert.


    David Goodson
    is the Manager of Vegetation Management at Northeast Utilities and is responsible for the distribution line clearance programs at the Connecticut Light & Power Company, the Western Massachusetts Electric Company and Public Service of New Hampshire.  Dave has been active in tree care industry organizations throughout his career.  He is a Past President of the Connecticut Tree Protective Association and the New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.  As a member of the International Society of Arboriculture’s Board of Directors he was Chair of the Finance Committee.  Dave was one of the founding members of the Connecticut Urban Forest Council and speaker at its Meskwaka Project.  He is an honorary Connecticut Tree Warden and presently represents the Utility Arborist Association on the American National Standards Institute Z133.1 Tree Care Industry Safety Committee. Dave earned an MS in Natural Resources Management and Engineering from the University of Connecticut, and a BS in Forest and Resource Management from West Virginia University. He is a member of Xi Sigma Pi, the National Forestry Honorary Society.


    Anne-Marie Moran
    started working at Massachusetts Electric Company in 1984 and joined the Distribution Forestry Department as a District Arborist in 1993. Prior to being promoted to the NE Manager position in 2011, she held Lead positions within the Department. Anne-Marie is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Urban Forestry. She has since received a Master of Science in Management from Lesley University as well as a Certificate in Leadership and Management Development from WPI.  She is a Massachusetts & Rhode Island Certified Arborist and ISA Utility Specialist. She is a member of the ISA, New England chapter ISA, the Utility Arborist Association, and the Massachusetts Tree Warden & Foresters’ Association. Anne-Marie and her husband Bill reside in Holden, Massachusetts.


    Larry Ferrandiz
    has been the Senior Forester and Horticulturist for the Long Island Power Authority since 1990. Prior to that that he was an Assistant Professor of Ornamental Horticulture, specializing in Arboriculture, at SUNY Farmingdale State University, and he is presently an Adjunct Professor of Ornamental Horticulture at SUNY. He is a member of ISA, UAA, EEA, and is an honorary life member of the Long Island Arboricultural Association.


    Climbers' CornerTree Academy
    MondayTuesdayWednesday

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