Renata Cambraia de Paiva is a native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Renata is a Trees Columbus board member and Environmental Consultant with Consolidated Resources, LLC. Renata started with Trees Columbus as a student board representative while completing her graduate work at Columbus State University. Renata plants thousands of trees every year between her professional work and her dedicated volunteer work with Trees Columbus. Renata is a dedicated Trees Columbus board volunteer, never failing to appear at events with a smile and usually bringing a crowd of new members and volunteers with her. Renata's social media savvy is a huge asset, and she took the lead on their most recent text2give campaign, as well.

Michael Glisson is a Certified Arborist and is the Parks and Beautification Director for Macon-Bibb County. Previously he was Grounds Manager and Arborist for Middle Georgia State University. In addition to being Parks and Beautification Director for Macon-Bibb County, Michael volunteers on his own time with the City of Forsyth Tree Board. He’s also currently playing an integral role in the revitalization of Macon’s Tree Board and Tree Ordinance. Michael’s colleagues say he is enthusiastic and extremely dedicated to Macon’s long-term revitalization and

Travys Harper is Green Infrastructure Manager for Trees Atlanta. Travys has been with Trees Atlanta since 2017, in roles like Urban Tree Tech, Urban Forestry Crew Tech, Youth Tree Team Supervisor, and Workforce Development Supervisor. Trees Atlanta considers Travys a vital, talented, and dedicated member of their team. His work as Youth Tree Team supervisor has brought dynamic energy the program, as he gets kids interested in nature and forests and makes a positive mark on young lives. Travys is enthusiastic about trees, planning and design, and environmental consciousness. He holds a bachelors degree in Environmental Design/Architecture from Auburn University and is currently continuing his education in Earthcraft, LEED, and arboriculture.

Seth Hawkins was nominated by a number of people who marvel at his never-ending enthusiasm and eagerness to help individuals and communities in building strong urban tree programs. Seth is a graduate from the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and currently a Community Forester for the Georgia Forestry Commission. He works with the Sustainable Community Forestry Program (SCFP) to aid communities in 47 counties in Northeast Georgia with community forestry program planning and maintenance, storm damage mitigation, contingency, and evaluation plans. Public education regarding urban tree care and community trees' importance is a priority with Seth. One of his previous employers summed up Seth’s qualities succintly when he said that Seth possesses “a tremendous work ethic, great intellectual curiosity, and a dedication to excellence.”

Jake Henry is Field Manager for the Savannah Tree Foundation and an ISA-certified Arborist. Jake already has an impressive background to his credit: a Master’s Degree in Forest Ecology from Missisippi State, work as a lab,field, and research technician for Cornell University, and a restoration technician for both the Nature Conservancy and the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative in Hawaii. Jake is working hard educating citizens about the importance of a healthy tree canopy in the Savannah area, working with volunteers and encouraging citizens to get involved, and being an enthusiastic role model for young people in urban forestry.

Randell Hunt is a dedicated champion for Macon-Bibb County’s community trees. A certified arborist, Randell served as Community Forester for Macon-Bibb County for many years and now is an arborist for the area with the Georgia Power Company. He has served also on the Macon-Bibb County Tree Commission. He is currently wrapping up a four-year stint as a board member for the Georgia Tree Council. Randell’s colleagues say that he always approaches every challenge with a smile and a “can-do” attitude, is willing to think outside the box and go above and beyond the call of duty, and is one of Macon-Bibb’s strongest advocates for a healthy, sustainable urban canopy.

Maegan Mullinax was recently received the 2020 Rising Star Award from the Utility Arborist Association and we wanted her to be our STAR too – because she is so deserving. Previously a Systems Arborist for North Georgia EMC and the City Arborist for the City of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, Maegan is now Business Develoment Manager for ARCT Services. A dedicated certified arborist, Maegan has served ARCT as an area safety representative, a safety committee member and as a storm response team member. She recently spoke on a virtual “Women in Vegetation Management” panel discussion at the Trees and Utilities Conference. Everyone who works with Maegan will tell you that nobody has more enthusiasm and dedication to her field.

A Columbus native and graduate of the University of Georgia, Mercedes Parham is Trees Columbus Board President and Communications Officer for the Muscogee County School District. Mercedes was recently named one of Columbus's "4 Under 40" by Columbus and the Valley Magazine for her leadership contributions to the community. Mercedes' communication and organizational skills have been invaluable in helping Trees Columbus navigate a difficult 2020. Mercedes believes strongly in using her communication skills to influence positive change in the larger community, and her focus on positive change is helping Trees Columbus focus our own programs to be as effective and efficient as possible. Under Mercedes' leadership, Trees Columbus is reaching new communities within Columbus and increasing the health of urban tree canopy where it is needed the most.

A self-proclaimed “urban policy nerd,” Zoe is passionate about improving communities, and one of the ways she is most dedicated to doing that is through the planted environment - in other words – the urban forest. Zoe has a big job as Executive Director of the Savannah Tree Foundation, because Savannah’s trees, especially its live oaks, are connected to its very identity, not to mention important for its environmental, economic, social, and health benefits. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Yale, Zoe worked for several years in Baltimore in deconstruction and urban planning research. Her hometown of Savannah is so happy to have her back, leading the Savannah Tree Foundation as it “protects and grows Chatham County’s urban forest through tree planting, community engagement, and advocacy.

Lindsay Walker is the City Arborist for the City of Sandy Springs. With a diploma in environmental horticulture, Lindsay joined their team in June 2019 and within a short period of time has built a reputation for being responsive to both the community and other departments. According to her colleagues, she has a true passion for her work and is always available to share her knowledge. Sustainability Director Catherine Mercier-Baggett says that Lindsay helped her create plant palettes for different landscape applications to give developers and builders strong guidance for their planting plans. Lindsay is currently preparing a list of recommendations for their tree ordinance for their next Development Code update. Catherine says Lindsay has a positive attitude and it’s a true pleasure to work with her