THOUGHTPLANTERS - Key Persons
Andrew is a horticultural consultant at Thoughtplanters. With 30 years of experience managing orchards and vineyards plus an Honours …
Andy started working as a contractor for Thoughtplanters way back when it was still called Horttraining. His experience in the industry includes all aspects of arboriculture and during his 20+ years as an arborist, he has worked in the UK, Canada and Asia. Andy holds a New Zealand level 4 advanced qualification and an ISA certification. Today, he operates his own arboriculture business in the Bay of Plenty.
As a professional arborist and tutor, Andy enjoys sharing his knowledge with others, helping them to work safer in the industry and look after trees better. When he's not busy working, he also likes to spend time surfing and fishing.
Dave moved over to New Zealand from the UK in 2017, and he began working as a contractor for …
David Glenn needs no introduction to the arboriculture industry. As founder of Southern Tree Services in Dunedin, David went …
David is a great outside the box thinker which has been a fantastic asset to Thoughtplanters during his time as a director.
David can be described as an old-school arborist, a long-term trainer and a utility arborist guru. Since day one, …
Job Titles:
- Trainer
- Specialised Tutor / Dean Is a Trainer and a Compliance Certifier for Agrichemicals. He 's Spent 40 Years in the Industry, Starting His
Dean is a trainer and a compliance certifier for agrichemicals. He's spent 40 years in the industry, starting his career doing government research projects for chemical companies in New Zealand and England. Also, crop spraying, contracting in environmental weed control and working on spray equipment manufacturing.
In the last 15 years, Dean moved on to chemical education and training. He started as a contractor with Thoughtplanters back in 2008, when they were still known as Horttraining. As a teacher, Dean gives the students his full attention and he always strives to make learning light and not too serious. He likes to relate technical matters to practical experiences and demystify the more complex aspects of managing sprays, such as the legalities, compliance and equipment.
Dean's motto is that if you enjoy your job, you don't have to work a day in your life. And lucky for him, he loves doing what he does and working for Thoughtplanters. But when he's not there, he also enjoys plenty of other activities, such as swimming, hiking, biking, doing yoga and drinking nice wine.
Delores has been part of the Thoughtplanters team since 2017, operating as the General Manager. She brings 21 years …
Job Titles:
- Health & Safety Advisor at Thoughtplanters New Zealand
- Specialised Tutor
Dominic began contracting to Thoughtplanters in 2019 as a Workplace Health & Safety Advisor. He has 10+ years of experience as a contract climbing arborist in New Zealand, the UK and Germany. On top of that, Dominic has business management practice from local governments, electrical distribution, highway and rail sectors.
Dominic believes working at Thoughtplanters is an excellent way to remain connected with the arboriculture industry and pass on knowledge to new arborists as they develop their careers. Outside of work, he spends time with his family, maintains a small timber woodlot, goes biking and skiing. He's also a volunteer for pest predator trapping.
Dylan has been with Thoughtplanters since 2022, bringing 14 years of industry experience. He has a Trade Certificate in Arboriculture and Utility Arboriculture, as well as a Certificate in Adult teaching, and is an absolute asset to the team.
In his role as tutor, Dylan likes to bring a calm and inclusive attitude to the environment to allow a more natural discussion to flow. He likes to focus on experiences or real scenarios that people can relate to. He enjoys meeting new people and learning from the people he meets. One of his favourite quotes is from Robert A. Heinlein, "I never learned from a man who agreed with me."
Outside of work, Dylan enjoys diving, hunting, and exploring nature.
Fiona is one of those people who seem to manage more than is possible. When she's not providing training …
Joe is a qualified arborist, contract climber and industry trainer who started working with Thoughtplanters in 2009. He's got …
Kishor Chandra Singh started working with Thoughtplanters in 2016. With 30 years of experience in the industry, he's done …
Mark, who works as a consulting arborist, has been with Thoughtplanters since the beginning. They recruited him when he was running the Arboriculture Programme at Otago Polytechnic, and he's stayed with the company ever since.
With over 25 years of experience in the arboriculture industry, Mark has worked in England, Australia and New Zealand. At the age of 33, he became the youngest president of the New Zealand Arboriculture Association. He then shifted his focus to the international arena, where he became the first President of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) from south of the equator.
Mark's philosophy is that teaching improves your own knowledge. That's why he loves working at Thoughtplanters and sharing his expertise with his students. Outside of work, he likes to enjoy life, plain and simple, living by the principle, ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.'
Job Titles:
- Administration & Marketing
Mary joined the Thoughtplanters team in December 2022 undertaking the role of administration and marketing. Prior to her newly appointed job, Mary had 11.5 years in a marketing and administrative role. That was preceded by 23 years as a graphic designer for print and internet.
Mary has designed and published several business publications and tabloids and assisted in the management of many formal corporate, sporting, and arts events. She also studied several different languages and website design and marketing.
Outside of work, Mary enjoys travelling, Pilates, artwork, photography and spending time with her family, including the Labrador, Zak the dude.
Job Titles:
- Australian Partner at Vegetation & Arbor Services, Has Worked in the Horticulture Industry for 20 Years
Michael Poole, our Australian partner at Vegetation & Arbor Services, has worked in the horticulture industry for 20+ years …
As an arborist at Delta Dunedin, Rimu has been with Thoughtplanters since the middle of 2020. He brings over … Read More
Stacy Colyer is a real captain of the arboriculture industry in New Zealand. His behind the scenes leadership has …
Job Titles:
- CEO
- CEO, Director and Tutor
Trevor is the CEO of Thoughtplanters. He has over 30 years of experience in the arboriculture and horticulture industry, including 16 years with Asplundh - 10 of which he was the manager of their New Zealand operations.
The fact that he's worked on all levels of the arboricultural industry from the ground up has given him well-rounded knowledge and skills. At Asplundh, he began his career in arboriculture, doing the groundwork. But by the time he left, he had a team of two hundred staff members working under him.
Leadership training is a passion for Trevor, who believes that there are many people out there with the right energy but without the ability to direct it where it's needed. The education industry, and Thoughtplanters in particular, is an exciting opportunity to put his skills to the test. On top of his role as CEO, Trevor is actively involved in the Utility Arborist Association. He is also a past President of the New Zealand Arboricultural Association.
Warren started working withThoughtplanters in 2015, taking on the role of tutor and horticulturist. With a trade certificate in …