The Davey Tree Expert Co. promoted Patrick Covey to president and COO of U.S. operations.
Additionally, Covey was nominated by Davey’s board of directors to fill a three-year position on the board, subject to approval by the shareholders at the annual meeting in mid-May.
Karl Warnke, Davey’s chairman, president and CEO, said Covey has demonstrated key leadership qualities, sound judgment and a strong commitment to the company during his 20 years at the company.
“Pat has been a respected leader during his tenure at Davey,” Warnke said. “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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
Covey 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. He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin, where he earned a degree in business to become a certified public accountant.
