Christopher Reel Email & Phone Number

My name is Chris Reel, Utility Forester for ECI. ECI is one of the largest companies that specializes in vegetation management in the US. ECI has been a major steppingstone in what I hope to be a long career for me in vegetation management. I graduated from the University of Maine in August of 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. I’ve worked under Eversource Arborists that have helped me grow professionally. I’ve had the opportunity to fulfill many roles as a project manager in the past few years. I’ve done quality control on tree crews to make sure work satisfies the PURA standards we are required to abide by. I’ve then followed up with crews to ensure they fix any issues with the work they did. I’ve learned how to deal with disgruntled employees and that through respect, honesty, and dialogue a lot of problems can be solved. On top of learning how to be a project manager and leader, I’ve learned a lot of practical skills as well. Costumers are often uneducated about what we do and have a negative opinion of Eversource in general. I’ve learned how to deal with customer requests for trimming and tree removals, and how sometimes you have to say no and calmly deal with the consequences of that decision. Often, I work storm shifts. Dispatching crews to emergency tree tickets and must stay organized on what is a priority. I’ve had to push back on other departments within the company that demand crews I’m dispatching to perform unsafe work. I’ve become comfortable with tree identification and making decisions on removing a tree based on species and risks associated with that species. When I was 13, I started working at my neighbors Christmas Tree Farm. I quickly became responsible for making sure the farm was running smoothly during the holiday season. I was educated on how to run a business, and training employees. I learned how to talk to customers, and basic sales tactics. At the Bangor International Airport, I was offered a full-time shift leader position despite being a full-time college student. I was often scheduled as an interim shift lead, which forced me to accept responsibility if we damaged an airplane while doing our jobs. I’m extremely dedicated to growing my career and am eager to take the next step in doing that. I would be a fantastic addition to any company because of my willingness to continue learning and developing professionally. I am currently in the process of becoming an ISA Certified Arborist and will continue to become a Utility Specialist and TRAQ certified in the coming months.