October 2025 Edition Read a message from CEO Randolph Hoover, check out the MVV Recognition Program Quarterly Winners, and learn about our new blogs! A Growing A Message from Randolph Hoover Hello and welcome, everyone. First, I am happy to share that Sterling Investment Partners has completed their first-ever continuation vehicle recapitalization of XKIG, which underscores the firm’s confidence in our performance and long-term potential. Thank you to every member of our team who has helped make XKIG—and all our subsidiaries—Kendall, River City, and Xylem—what they are today. You can read Sterling’s press release here . As we continue to grow and strengthen our organization, I am pleased to bring Thomas Contracting into the XKIG group of companies. Founded in 2000 and based in Tennessee, Thomas Contracting is a respected provider of vegetation management and utility line clearance services across the Southeast. The company will operate across all XKIG subsidiaries in supporting the reliable delivery of energy to communities across the nation. At XKIG, we pride ourselves on combining the expertise, resources, and relationships of our subsidiaries to deliver seamless, high-quality solutions to our customers. Through shared services in safety, HR, technology, marketing, and finance, we strengthen each brand’s ability to grow efficiently and focus on what they do best. Our integrated model also allows us to cross-sell complementary services, expanding our partnerships with utilities while ensuring consistent excellence at every touchpoint. Thank you for your continued hard work and commitment to excellence. Together, we are shaping the future of infrastructure services and ensuring that the lights—and opportunities—stay on for the communities we serve. If you haven’t already, please like and follow our XKIG pages here: Blog: “Mr Hoover Goes to Washington" At the end of September, our CEO, Randolph Hoover, represented our company and the broader vegetation management industry at the Tree Care Industry Association’s Legislative Day in Washington, D.C. Joining 40 other industry leaders, he met with members of Congress to advocate for key priorities shaping our work and the nation’s safety—including an OSHA standard specific to tree care, proactive wildfire risk reduction, invasive species control, and workforce development. His message was clear: our industry stands at the intersection of public safety, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure resilience. Together, we’re helping to protect people, power, and the planet. Read more here: Mr. Hoover Goes to Washington - Xylem Tree Experts Blog: High Climbs, Higher Standards: NPR Spotlights XKIG at the Tree Rodeo Utility arborists took center stage this month as National Public Radio (NPR) highlighted the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1249 Tree Rodeo in northern New York—showcasing the high-skill, high-safety world of vegetation management. This national recognition underscores the expertise, teamwork, and commitment behind the work that keeps power systems safe and communities connected. Read more here: High Climbs, Higher Standards: NPR Spotlights XKIG at the Tree Rodeo  - Xylem Tree Experts September GF Schools are Complete! We wrapped two great GF School session with the following 30 attendees: Angel Tucker, Jamie Johnson, Cody Cook, Hunter Schultz, Jay Bradley, Chad Schnick, Damien Townsend, Marvin Brown, Stanley King, David Thomas, Jamie Norton, Mehujael Mendoza Castro, Asael Montero, Rick Jolley, Gary Johnson, James Saunders, Jorge Mendoza, Henry Peace, John Snider, Rusty Russ, Kelvin Garcia, Clinton Lawrence, Jessie Hunter, Boz Meyers, Casey Thrailkill, Orbyn Sierra, James Stone, Derrick Flagg, and Jacob Flagg. Mission Vision Values Employee Recognition Program Quarterly Award Winners After introducing the Mission, Vision, and Values Recognition Program in February, it’s now time to announce our first quarterly award winners! Team members were initially nominated by their Regional Managers. These nominations were then reviewed by an impartial panel of judges who selected an outstanding employee for each of our core values. Here are the winners! Core Value Trust: James Smith Xylem Region 4 “James has created best takedown crew I have ever seen. They deal with dangerous trees on a daily basis and have a high level of trust in each other." Core Value Transparency: Michael Wheeler Xylem Region 7 "You can be sure Mike knows everything that's going on his job." Core Value Respect: Kevin Farris Xylem Region 2 "Kevin has built the respect of every person working with him and is always willing to go beyond to help each person and get the job done." Core Value Unity: Donaciano "Chano" Ponce Xylem Region 9 "He's a true leader who brings his crews together." Between the Branches Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congratulations to the employees who participated in our most recent training class in South Bend, IN, and to the following two team members who obtained their Commercial Driver’s License last month: Class A: Pintle Hook Restriction: Ryan Skipper Class B: Dusty Jacobs We applaud these two employees for successfully completing the classroom session, field training course, and skills test to achieve these qualifications! We will be holding off on classes until the first of the year. For more information about the CDL program, contact Tim Haynes at thaynes@xylemtree.com . Work Anniversaries Congratulations to all Xylem employees who celebrated milestone anniversaries this past quarter! Click the button below to see the employees who hit milestone anniversaries. View Now Compliments for the Crew "Kemp West (Xylem) did an absolutely wonderful job. We really appreciate their (Jeremy Bailey, Braden Cote, Ryan Teter, Leo Valleza, and Will Lyons ) work ethic." Compliments for the Crew It is rare that homeowners take the time to call and compliment employees and contractors for doing a great job. As I have shared before, Timmy (Reed) does a great job representing Xylem and we appreciate his hard work and professionalism. He is a credit to your company. - Client in Knoxville, TN We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

May 2025 Edition Check out highlights from the inaugural GF School, see where to find us on social media, catch the latest IT training, and learn how GF Tyler Wolak stepped in to help during a car accident! Empowering Our Frontline: The New GF School Leads the Way The Learning and Development team has officially launched a new leadership initiative: the General Foreperson (GF) School. The inaugural session took place in Norfolk, VA, bringing together 25 enthusiastic participants, including GFs and Supervisors, for an immersive four-day experience. With the support of 20 corporate team members who spoke and helped facilitate activities, the event was a resounding success. Throughout the week, attendees explored critical topics such as hiring best practices, compliance, coaching, safety protocols, and operational technology. They also had the opportunity to tour our Norfolk office and engage with teams from Business Development, Finance, HR, IT, Legal, Marketing, and Resource Readiness—broadening their understanding of how all departments contribute to our mission. Feedback from the session was overwhelmingly positive. One participant shared their appreciation for the experience and the work of Joy Lacher , Assistant Director of Learning & Development, and her team, writing “Thank you so much for all of your diligence and expertise! You have made this a very entertaining and interactive week. A lot of information was covered, and your planning and precision allowed it to all be presented in a successful manner. This was great for an inaugural week! ” We’re proud of this new chapter in professional development and look forward to future sessions that continue to support and strengthen the leadership of our GFs. Boost Your Tech Skills with Quarterly “Know-How” IT Trainings All computer and tablet users are required to participate in quarterly “Know-How” IT training sessions. Each training covers key IT topics that keep you up to speed with the latest tools and best practices. Plus, by participating in KnowBe4 cybersecurity training, you're helping to build a workplace culture focused on awareness and proactive online safety. This quarter's training focuses on Multi-factor Authentication and Creating Strong Passwords. You’ll need to complete training by May 30. Look for an email from “KnowBe4” with instructions. Stay Connected! Don’t miss out on company updates, event highlights, staff kudos, and stories from the field —follow us on social media! Like, share, and stay in the loop with everything happening across our teams. Between the Branches Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congratulations to the employees who participated in our most recent training classes in Union, IL and to the following three team members who obtained their Commercial Driver’s License last month: Class A: Pintle Hook Restriction: Dylan Cash Class B: Michael Ramsey, Rayden Chassereau We applaud these three employees for successfully completing the classroom session, field training course, and skills test to achieve these qualifications! Our next training sessions will be held in Somerset, KY on May 23-24, Hamlet, NC on May 30-31, Mt. Jackson, VA on June 13-14, Myrtle Beach, SC on June 20-21, MD on July 11-12. For more information about the CDL program, contact Tim Haynes at thaynes@xylemtree.com . Tyler Wolak's "Good Catch" While en route to a job site, General Foreman Tyler Wolak came across a car accident unfolding in real time. Thanks to his quick thinking and fast action, Tyler jumped in to prevent further damage and protect those involved – potentially stopping a much more serious situation. Join us in giving a big shoutout to Tyler for his incredible awareness, courage, and commitment to safety. This is what leadership in the field looks like! Compliments for the Crew A customer from Earlville, IL called to called in and stated Pre-Planner Judd Miller and the crew (Lucas Herrera, Rual Flores, Angel Chavez, Andres Arreola, Armando Sosa, and Felix Martinez ) did an outstanding job. He said that he has 22 evergreen trees that are his privacy fence. He said Judd was a fantastic person who took the time to walk the property line with him and make sure everything was in order. Compliments for the Crew Mary W. from Osceola, IN called because she wanted the crew (Ryan Real, Elliot Mendez, Carlos Gonzalez, Carlos Bentcourt, Steven Cancel, Gilberto Yanez ) to get the recognition they deserve. She spoke in great length about the crew, their kindness, and hard work. She stated this crew worked out in the rain, cold, and snow without stopping or complaining and were so nice and polite. She specifically said Gilberto Yanez is an absolute angel. The whole crew treated her with respect and kindness. Compliments for the Crew A customer from West, MS called to thank GF Fabian Donato . He stated that Fabian was very thorough when he explained everything to him over the phone. He stated he would give Kendall 2 thumbs up! Compliments for the Crew Scott J. from McKee, KY called to say how fast the response was from GF Nathaniel Everage . He said that Nathaniel was top notch and the respect and professionalism that Nathaniel showed was excellent. He said he has done similar work in the past and the amount of courtesy Nathaniel showed was very unexpected but much appreciated. Compliments for the Crew A customer from Murrayville, GA called in and stated that we should be very proud to have an employee by the name of Junior Carter . He stated that he was very professional. There was a monster pine tree in his yard and said the crew did an immaculate job. Compliments for the Crew A customer in Denham Springs, LA called in saying our one of our Region 4 crews (GF Eder Maldonado and his team ) was very nice and professional. He said they communicated everything to him and did a great job. Compliments for the Crew Britney B. from Terry, MS called in to let us know about how polite our crew (Bonifacio Velazquez, Leonel Cedeno, GF Mario Womack, Supervisor Carl Dixon ) working in her area has been the last two weeks. She stated before they go on her property, they always knock on the door to make sure it's OK. She stated one gentleman even brought her trash can back to her house. She said you don't see that sort of kindness often. Thank you, thank you for all the hard work they have done! We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@wakendall.com!

Service Anniversaries Congratulations to all of those who celebrated a milestone anniversary this past quarter (July-September)! We appreciate your service! Shannon Trammell Paul Hakso Leslie Dather Noelan Dather Robert McLemore Justin Moore Alexander Walls James Johnson Brandon Wood Christian Capps Dale Brady Nathan Pendleton James Foust Robin Lee-Timmons Johnny Williamson Hector Garcia Loaiza Joseph Barker Jonathan Garmon Tony Conditt Moises Maldonado Adorno Reinaldo Mendez Manso Donald Bryant Bryan Brown Ernest Williams Timmy Reed Todd Freeman Christopher Nix Christopher Walker Keith Marinaccio Todd Kruger Allen Payton Kevin Green Clayton Propst Michael Rogers Jeff Jarnagin William Glisson Ricky Jarnagin Elvin Cruz James Stone Dustin Orlowski Abraham Ray Diana Garstka Devon Trivette Zachary Hermans Franklin Zelaya Rivas Jonathan Hill Rosa Collins Dakota Hale John Rose Mithaniel Jackson Dakota Collins Ulises Silguero Floyd Earl Dalton Craven Tyrone Squire James Miller Justin Smith Corey Bethea Isaiah Locklear Peyton Wallace Tylen Liddell Tammy Craig Ronald Ward Christopher Sims Joshua Fitch Leroy Hill Michael Alvarez Justin Chandler Jeremiah Otto Dylan Justice Christopher Lafoe Cody Frost Justin Mathis Serenity Forschen Robert Gray Dustin White Maykel Martin Perez Ryan Greenfeder Richard Kent James Jacobs Robert Cantey Gloria Canales John Mcnabb Benjamin Jennings David Chestnut Anthony Loving Rufus Miller Leodegario Soto Michael Rhoades Severo Moya Briseno Eric Macias Rolando Mendoza Milton Aleman James Swanson Preston Willard Romie Willard Ulises Ayala Moreno Eder Rivas Zavala Javier Huerta Olvin Turcios Robert Smith Aaron Ortiz Christopher Eaton Emilio Huerta Joe Woods Michael Clark Jimmell Norwood Carlos Ortiz Tellez Jorge Teron Garcia Oscar Flores Roger Kite Albert Givens Adam Oxendine Jared Luna Joshua Kirk Justin Ford Jerry Morales Virola Andrew Gardner Antelmo Hernandez Anthony Hernandez Brendon Hutton Skyler Korn Caleb Roberson Marcus Hanson Yocimar Moreno Michael Bowers Joseph Beaver Manuel Almaraz Zane Mattingly Michael Smith Elijah Pierce Dutch Bryndle Trevor Schwartz Christopher Flagg Jadon Schoepflin Robert Andrews Alexis Medina Armando Hernandez Bryan Cruse Byran Smith Sara Rennie Thomas Bedrick Bobby Willard Marcos Olvera Gabriel Montez de Oca Gabriel Letterman Denilson Cabrera Hernandez Jose Orihuela Ochoa Natthan Ward Devon Makowske Nicholas Ricketts Bryce Carden Matthew Parks Kenneth Christian Christopher Tremblay Thomas Carrington Anil Palat Jonathon Kisner Jackie Deits Bryan Murdaugh Timothy Boatwright David Sheppard Alonzo Witherspoon Mario Conyers Patrick Benson Billy Chrisco Omar Orihuela Castaneda Dillon Johnson Terry Smith Roger Robinson Clevondre Reynolds Allen Small Curtis Williams Raymond Ward Alfredo Becerra Montreal Williams Allard Mitchell James Wilson Tony King Mitchell Miller Davar Jones Isaias Cortez Thomas Broughman Abrahan Cortez Cristian Mendoza Gabrielle Heileman Jorge Diaz Kevin Figueroa Jose Cortez-Pleitez Jonathan Little Ashlee Thompson Zachary Burnett Daniel Durham Cameron Philpott JaQues Woodard Jeremy Taylor Taja Eaton Jim Brunson Michael Gibson Shannon Mayfield Cody Cray Abraham Amdrades Taylor De Jong Porfirio Lopez Matthew Abbott Scotty Pleasant Mark Williams Cedric Wise Javier Reyes Evander Locklear John Harvey Christina Kelly Deborah Newton Jose Campos Brandon Brown We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

Service Anniversaries Congratulations to all of those who celebrated a milestone anniversary this past quarter (April - June)! We appreciate your service! Gary Johnson How did you get your start with the company? I was working at a tire store, and a friend of mine was working here, and he said he could get me a job. I started as a groundman and journeyman tree trimmer and worked my way up. What has kept you with the company? My boss, the ownership, they’ve been absolutely fantastic to work for and trust. Kari (Hasko, Regional Business Partner) treats everyone with respect. What advice would you give your younger self? I just continue doing what I always did, just do what I was asked and try to do that to the best of my ability. What has been your most rewarding experience with the company? To see other employees come in and start from the bottom and work their way into a journeyman card, and live the life they’d like to live, build a family, and buy a house. Michael Wingfield Simitrio Gonzalez Tucker Miller Manuel Diaz Gomez Vladimir Hernandez Jose Cornejo Marco Portillo Gamez Daniel Stocks Matthew Kroener Greg Farmer Earlie Outlaw Travis West Jamie Gentry Desmond Johnson Bobby Messer Travis Barrett Shawn Bearden John Berryhill Robert Harris Brandon Maple Richard Garcia Timothy Swan William Ellis Nicholas Rowles Roger Cagle Ashley King Nathan Peele Dalton Gorrell Jason Strange Robert Watson George Baker Allanon Britt Carter Dunn Anthony Moreno Kevin Forister Michael Johnnie Jose Oliva Donaciano Ponce Johm Mauck Aaron Williams Mark Mason Randy Burwell Jacob Mann William Buffum Tristan Parton Mitchell Landphair Travis Wiedemann Jeffrey Berger Darcy Vanderwerken Tanner Beicke Tyler Stevens Michael Bradshaw Briar Fite Dominique Saunders Robert Clark Robert Williams Jonathan Mota Emiliano Anguiano Landon English Mark Beck Calvin Saunders Tavio King Christopher Santiago Matias Darrell Shifflett Josh Williams Deacon Roberts Richard Blackburn Clayton Butcher William Bunch Brandon Connor Brian McClure Julio Fuentes Steve Hale Austin Crane James Stone Yohaneli Jimenez Jose Laureano Wesley Mcgee Michael Crowe Daniel Harvey Roberto Gamez Christopher Braxton James Willey Terrell Woodard Donovan Williams Kaleb Swaney Michael Graney Maria Delcid Devon Capps Nicholas Roviso Ronny Deese Carlin Gamble Ronald Thorn Glen Jones Tania Romo Misael Rivas James Mcneil Milton Andrades Jr Francisco Perez Abel Juarez Martin Lomeli Rodolfo Reyes Becerra Moises Melendez Matthew Breeden Phillip Shropshire Thomas Warburton Livan Lorenzo Carledin Junius Bradford Terry Kirby Adrian Martinez Robert Hankins Jonathan Pointer Derrick Locklear Austin Craig Christian Neese Bryson Houston Raekwon Mcneil Roderick McGill James Johnson Billy Johnson Timothy Barr David Astralla Fredrick Scott Joshua Whittington Elijah Bethea Jose Ruiz George Griffin Brandon Smith Charles Polatty Jimmy Graham Noah Dixon Dylan Bruce Samuel Jacobs Justin Teague Abigail Nickoli Isaac Garza Dustin Cook Terrill Samuel Brandon Schuyler Juan Mejia Reyes Tracy Hunt Joseph Enderle James Lamberth Coleman Atwood Claude Ogden Michael Ottinger Hunter Williamson Candido Reyes Michael Mcdaniel Chantal Young Paul Eslinger Gena Diaz William Reyes Alvarado Joshua Ball Jeremy Whitt Lisa Prince Matthew Parrish Colbey Jackson Domingo Sanchez Jake Wyatt Eric Turner Jonathan Williams Taylor Million Alfredo Ibarra Britton Vaughan Robert Clements Jacob Fraley Christopher Poe Tony Whitten Agapito Ortiz Jerry Bennett Hunter Garland Crystal Hudson Wesley Spencer Elijah Banister Anthony Osborn Sarina Waldal Mark Bush Trimmer Test Robert Lowe We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at feedback@xylemtree.com !