The Awards of Distinction and the True Professional of Arboriculture awards are the highest honors given by ISA. These awards recognize ISA members and credential holders who are role models to their peers and positively represent the profession. 

The awards are given based on nominations from ISA members and industry professionals. The ISA Awards Committee reviews the nominations and makes recommendations for the Board of Directors to approve. The awards were presented during the ISA Annual International Conference held 19-22 October in Christchurch, New Zealand.  

Awards of Distinction 

Award of Merit 

Alan H. Jones 

Vice President of Territory Development 

Bartlett Tree Expert Company 

Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Arboricultural Education 

Robert J. Laverne  

Manager of Education and Training  

Davey Tree Expert Company 

Sharon J. Lilly Award of Achievement 

Nicolaas Verloop  

Co-owner  

TFI Vitaler Groen and TFI Vitaleres Grün 

L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research 

Justin Morgenroth  

Professor  

University of Canterbury 

Millard F. Blair Award for Exceptional Contribution to Practical Arboriculture 

Don Roppolo  

Vice President of Health & Safety Operations Support 

Davey Tree Expert Company 

Early-Career Scientist 

Allyson Salisbury  

Teaching professor  

Rutgers University-New Brunswick 

 

True Professionals of Arboriculture 

Leslie Berckes  

Executive Director  

Urban and Community Forestry Society 

 

Kelby Fite  

Director of Research  

Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories 

 

Patrick O'Meara 

Owner  

High Country Landscape & Tree 

 

Krista Strating  

Crew leader  

City of Mississauga 

 

Cindy Schwab  

Operations Manager of Training and Employee Development 

Davey Tree Expert Company