Governance
Statement of Purpose
The Mountain Lake Vegetation Management Council was organized in 1955 and incorporated as a non-profit research and education group in 1967 in the Commonwealth of Virginia under chapter 2 of title 13.1 of the code of Virginia. The purpose of Mountain Lake, as stated in the by laws, are:
To promote improvement in the rights-of-way management, in particular, to encourage the further study and research in ecologically sound and aesthetic vegetation control and management, to analyze and disseminate information relating thereto, to encourage cooperation with other organizations whose interests parallel or complement those in this Council, and to represent the judgment of this organization in the matters of policy which affects rights-of-way.
The Council, with direction from a Board of Directors and it's membership, has endeavored to fulfill these guidelines through research studies on improved methods of vegetation control on rights-of-way. In addition, the Council has acted as an advisory group to federal, state, and local agencies that have promulgated legislation affecting proper vegetation maintenance. The governing body has also intervened in cases where misleading or incorrect information could cause the industry to sustain severe penalties.
These activities are made possible by support and contributions from utility companies, chemical manufacturing and distribution firms, contractors, applicators, state highway departments, universities, and the US government.
Present amendment at Annual Meeting for membership vote on Tuesday, September 27th
- Purpose of change: Board identified Treasurer position is important to hold this officer position for longer than 1 yr term, to drive continuity and consistency with duties as defined in Article 6, Section 3 Duties of Secretary-Treasurer
Current By-law language:
Section 4. Officers. The Board of Directors shall meet during the annual meeting and shall elect a president and vice-president from among themselves, and a secretary and a treasurer, who may or may not be a member of the Council. Such officers shall hold office for one year; or until their successors are duly elected and qualified unless earlier removed by death, resignation or for cause. The Board of Directors shall also have the power to elect or appoint an Executive Secretary or any assistant officers that shall be found necessary to the operation of the Council.
Suggested By-law language:
Section 4. Officers. The Board of Directors shall meet during the annual meeting and shall elect a president and vice-president from among themselves, and a secretary and a treasurer, who may or may not be a member of the Council. Such officers Elected president and vice-president officers shall hold office for one year; or until their successors are duly elected and qualified unless earlier removed by death, resignation or for cause. Elected secretary and treasurer shall hold office for minimum of one year; or be granted ability to serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms (6 years) and must be a member in good standing or given a complimentary membership status by Board of Directors to serve in advisory capacity beyond one year. The Board of Directors shall also have the power to elect or appoint an Executive Secretary or any assistant officers that shall be found necessary to the operation of the Council.
By-Laws (updated 2021): Link here
Board of Directors
President: Ben Bradburn, bnbradburn@aep.com
Vice President: Koby Cutchall, kcutchall@arborchem.com
Secretary: Bryan Rose, brose3@arborchem.com
Treasurers: Matt Sink, mssink@aep.com
Ed Cunningham- ed@treepriorities.com
Other Board Members
Ben Bradburn- AEP- bnbradburn@aep.com
David Caldwell- Helena- caldwelld@helenaagri.com
Ed Cunningham- Tree Priorities- ed@treepriorities.com
Koby Cutchall- Arborchem- kcutchall@arborchem.com full term
Scott Eikenbary- Davey DRG- scott.eikenbary@davey.com
Steve Feggeler- AEP- sffeggeler@aep.com
Stephen Hilbert- Asplundh- shilbert@asplundh.com
Scott Koening- Pittmans- scott@pittmansinc.com
Wes Moorhead- Pittmans- wes.moorhead@pittmansinc.com 2 year term
Ron Muir- First Energy- rmuir@firstenergycorp.com 1 year term
Dustin Rhoades- Davey DRG- dustin.rhoades@davey.com Full term
Bryan Rose-Arborchem- brose3@arborchem.com full term
Katrina Schnobrich- First Energy- schnobrichk@firstenergycorp.com full term
Matt Sink- AEP- mssink@aep.com
Shawn Stahl- Progressive Solutions- sstahl@progressivesolutions.net 1 year term
Adam Warf- ECI- awarf@eci-consulting.com