Michael Neal has a well-established reputation as an expert in Utility Vegetation Management. With over 35 years experience, Michael has held positions of increasing responsibility with three electric utilities companies and the Florida Division of Forestry. Michael is knowledgeable in all aspects of Utility Vegetation Management (UVM) including all facets of contracting from time and material, unit pricing and lump sum for UVM contractors, notification companies and compliance.As manager of Forestry and Special Programs at Arizona Public Service Michael had responsibilities for wildlife protection, pole treatment, and underground equipment inspection programs.Michael developed an in-house tree worker and training program which gained national notoriety.Michael’s department acted as utility liaison between APS and federal or state fire incident command teams.Under Michael’s guidance APS was the first utility to receive the Right-of-Way Stewardship Award.Michael was a wildland firefighter and provided forest management services to private landowners in Florida.Because of his credibility within the industry, Michael has testified twice before Congress regarding resolving conflicts arising from performing UVM activities on Federal lands.Michael was a member of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation FAC-003 standard drafting team. Specialities: Michael served as president of the International Society of Arboriculture. He is past-president of the Utility Arborist Association, the Tree Research and Education Fund, past-chair of the Edison Electric Institute vegetation management task force, past-president of the Arizona Community Tree Council and served on the Arizona Governor’s Forest Health Council. Michael served as an outside director for ACRT for 13 years.Awards: UAA Arborist of the Year 2006, UAA President’s Award 2010 and 2015. Michael was named one of the most influential people in the industry by Free Media.