Davey names new President of U.S. Operations

KENT, Ohio – The Davey Tree Expert Company has announced the promotion of Patrick M. Covey to president and chief operating officer of U.S. Operations.

Additionally, Davey’s board of directors has nominated Covey to fill a three-year position on Davey’s board, subject to approval by the shareholders at the annual meeting in mid-May.
   
Karl Warnke, Davey’s chairman, president and CEO, said that Covey has demonstrated key leadership qualities, sound judgment and a strong commitment to the company during his 20 years at Davey.

“Pat has been a respected leader during his tenure at Davey,” said Warnke. “He has been instrumental in the successful integration of some of the largest acquisitions in Davey history and has worked relentlessly to build collaboration between the operating segments.”

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 served as a team leader on the SAP implementation project and managed the systems and process group from 2000 to 2003, when he was promoted to vice president of southern utility operations. In 2005, he was promoted to vice president and general manager of the Davey Resource Group and 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.

“Throughout his tenure, Pat has gained valuable experience and a diverse understanding of how Davey and the Green Industry operates,” Warnke said. “This unique perspective and background provide him with the knowledge necessary to fulfill the expectations that have been set for him in his new role as president and COO of our U.S. operations.”

Covey earned a degree in business from the University of Wisconsin and is a certified public accountant.  He is a past member of Davey’s President’s Council and serves on a number of boards of Davey subsidiaries.  He also serves on the board of directors for Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio and the Portage County Development Board. 

Reporting to Covey are Steve Marshall, executive vice president of U.S. utility operations, and Jim Stief, executive vice president of U.S. residential and commercial operations. Additionally, two service lines and the Davey Institute will report directly to Covey.