TREE Fund's 2025 Ken Ottman Volunteer Award announced

Since 2007, the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund) has awarded the Ken Ottman Volunteer Award to an individual whose contributions to TREE Fund are exemplary.

Named for its first recipient whose dedication to TREE Fund’s programs set a standard for volunteering, it is the highest and only award TREE Fund gives out annually.

On May 21, during TREE Fund’s Board of Trustees meeting at the Davey Tree Expert Company SEED Campus in Kent, Ohio, TREE Fund presented the prestigious volunteer award to Dan Herms, vice president and general manager at The Davey Institute.

In addition to serving on the TREE Fund Board of Trustees for the past five years, with his term ending in 2025, Herms served as the chair of the research and education committee, organizing teams of volunteers to evaluate and review proposals and ensuring that TREE Fund’s resources were invested into projects that would have the greatest impact. During his time as committee chair, Herms was able to help strengthen the credibility and quality of the grant-making process.

“It is worth remembering that behind every TREE Fund research grant and every breakthrough we celebrate, there is a volunteer who cares deeply about the future of the profession, and Dan’s work embodies that truth,” said David Gorden, TREE Fund board chair.

After receiving the award, Herms guided the TREE Fund Board of Trustees on a tour of the new Davey Tree Expert Company SEED Campus, a 200-acre property that includes state-of-the-art specialized training and research facilities. Herms played a major role in the planning of its creation.

“To be able to present this award to Dan at the facility he helped design and create, in front of several of his colleagues, was a perfect way to celebrate Dan's commitment to tree research at Davey Research Institute and also his commitment to research supporting the future of the tree care industry collectively. He elevated the grantmaking work of TREE Fund during his time on the board and has taught and mentored so many students and researchers throughout his career. We appreciate all that Dr. Herms has done to help advance the future of research in the tree care industry,” said Paul Putman, TREE Fund president and CEO.