Bridging Green Industries: A Journey from Horticulture to Utility Vegetation Management
Bridging Green Industries: A Journey from Horticulture to Utility Vegetation Management
By Maegan Mullinax, Business Development Manager, ACRT Services
I started my career working in agriculture in Northwest Georgia before moving into commercial horticulture. My grandfather created a solid baseline for me by passing on his passion for working the land. He taught me much about land management and sustainable gardening techniques using permaculture and biointensive methods. I also worked as a consultant with a local organization called HATponics, a not-for-profit organization that aimed to and succeeded at feeding 20 million people by 2020 by installing comprehensive hydra-, aqua-, and terraponics systems.
As an instructor, I worked closely with my local arboretum, participated in several STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) projects, and worked for the National Garden Clubs of America. My courses focused on grafting, production, integrated pest management, landscape design, and exotic plant care.
After a decade in commercial horticulture, I secured my International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification and began work as a city arborist for my local municipality. I was introduced to the utility vegetation management industry when my local electric cooperative invited me to apply for a system arborist position. After my employment at the cooperative, I joined ACRT’s Ready Force® team, a group dedicated to supporting utilities with a variety of immediate response needs when disasters of any kind strike. My first assignment was working on restoration efforts following Hurricane Michael on the Gulf Coast in 2018.
I’ve had opportunities to collaborate with my team and leadership as one of ACRT’s Area Safety Representatives and sat on ACRT’s Safety Committee for two years. In 2020, I transitioned to a new role as a business development manager with ACRT Services where I develop cost-effective solutions for utilities, serve as a liaison between clients and ACRT operations representatives, and more. Initially, I served the Western U.S. before transferring to cover the Southeast. To this day, I am still an active member of ACRT’s Ready Force team and work alongside our electric utility partners impacted by disasters.
I have volunteered with the Utility Arborist Association (UAA) on its Professional Development Committee since 2020 and served as the committee chair for the last couple of years. I have also been fortunate enough to attend every UAA Women in Vegetation Management Workshop since the first in 2018 and have served on its planning committee since 2021. I also had the privilege to sit on a live panel in 2020 and hosted a panel discussion in 2022 for the Women’s Workshop. I’ve also been a member of the Georgie Tree Council since 2018. Both organizations recognized me with awards in 2020, for which I’m thankful. I received the Rising Star Award from the UAA and the STARs (Service, Teamwork, Attitude, and Results) Award from the Georgia Tree Council.
From starting my career in horticulture and urban forestry to my career in utility vegetation management, I have seen the green industries continue moving closer together. We can learn so much from each other, and I believe breaking down our intellectual silos would benefit all working within our industries. Communication is the key to bringing utility and municipal arborists together. Often, we are unaware of the similar challenges we face and the common goals we can work together to achieve. I am excited to continue to learn and grow.
