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 !

Grand Adventure Walking Challenge June 15, 2026 - July 12, 2026 Coming Soon Get ready to explore one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world with the upcoming Grand Adventure Walking Challenge. Over four (4) weeks, you will journey through iconic locations like the North Rim, Bright Angel Trail, Kachina Trail, and Prescott National Forest. Each step brings a new perspective, from sweeping canyon views to forested paths. Did you know the Grand Canyon is over a mile deep and was carved over millions of years by the Colorado River? Its layers tell a story of gradual change over time. Incentive Top 3 Teams Team members of the top-performing teams will receive the following prizes: 1st Place: $200 gift card per team member 2nd Place: $100 gift card per team member 3rd Place: $75 gift card per team member Raffle for Eligible Participants Not a top team? You still have a chance to win. All participants who meet the minimum step requirements will be entered into a raffle for one of three $100 gift cards How to Sign Up Create a team of up to four (4) members with your coworkers. Elect one (1) captain for each team and determine your team’s name. Team captains will need to sign up for the challenge first on the Wellness Portal by selecting Join to create the team’s name in the challenge. Log in to the Wellness Portal Click Challenges in the sidebar Click Join under the Wellness Challenge you want to participate in Team Captains: select Create Team > Create Team Name > Create Team Members: select Join Existing Team > Find your Team’s Name > click Proceed to Join Select how you would like to appear on the leaderboard and click Join Participants must elect to appear on the leaderboard to be eligible for prizes. *Google Chrome is the recommended browser when participating in challenges on the Wellness Portal. Sign Up for the Challenge LOG IN TO YOUR Wellness Portal/Mobile App (Wellworks For You app in the app store) You will have access to your very own personal Wellness Portal. Your account credentials have already been generated for you! Follow the steps below to log in. In accordance with confidentiality laws, your individual data is accessible only to you and the third-party vendor, Wellworks For You. Kendall Vegetation Log in Information Username Format: KVS_FirstName + LastName +DOBinYY Password Format: Birthdate in MMDDYYYY Example: UN: KVS_Johndoe95 PW: 08051995 The temporary password is only for the first time you access the Wellness Portal, and you will be prompted to change it upon entry. If you have accessed the Wellness Portal in the past, you should continue to use your existing password. Xylem Tree Log in Information Username Format: XT_FirstName + LastName + DOBinYY Password Format: Birthdate in MMDDYYYY Example: UN: XT_Johndoe95 PW: 08051995 The temporary password is only for the first time you access the Wellness Portal, and you will be prompted to change it upon entry. If you have accessed the Wellness Portal in the past, you should continue to use your existing password. XKIG Log in Information Username Format: XKIG_FirstName + LastName + DOBinYY Password Format: Birthdate in MMDDYYYY Example: UN: XKIG_Johndoe95 PW: 08051995 The temporary password is only for the first time you access the Wellness Portal, and you will be prompted to change it upon entry. If you have accessed the Wellness Portal in the past, you should continue to use your existing password. Frequently Asked Questions What are my challenge requirements? To view challenge requirements, view the challenge flyer or log in to the Wellness Portal and click Challenges How do I track steps? For help tracking steps, view the challenge flyer or click here (English) or click here (Spanish) to view the Device & Apps Sync Guide I'm having issues logging in. For help logging in or additional questions, select Support on your Wellness Portal or call Wellworks For You at 800.425.4657

Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site at xkig.hrbenefits.net Wellness Wednesdays For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xkig.com New Voluntary Benefits: Enrollment is Now You have until this Friday, July 24, to elect two new voluntary benefits, effective August 1: Trustmark Life + Care® Insurance The need for long-term care (LTC) services can strain families, and protection against the rising costs of those services in the event of an accident, illness, or aging is essential. Trustmark Life + Care insurance provides affordable LTC coverage. It provides a long-term care benefit funded by permanent life insurance. Learn more here . Allstate Identity Protection Safeguard yourself and your family from evolving identity threats and scams with always-on protection. The enhanced 2026 identity protection features provide stronger security to help you and your family stay ahead of rising scams and identity fraud. Get 24/7 monitoring, advanced scam detection, and expert support for peace of mind. Check out the flyer here , en Español . You have until Saturday, August 8, to join: Credit Union Partner UECU, is offering an exclusive benefit for XKIG employees that open accounts with the credit union from July 22 - August 8. Become a member and enjoy: A $100 new member bonus A Kasasa Checking account with rewards Direct deposit or ACH Use this link to see how to qualify for this special offer. Congrats, Grand Adventurers! Our Grand Adventure Walking Challenge has officially ended. Thank you to everyone who laced up their shoes, logged their miles, and made healthy movement part of their daily routine. Whether you reached your personal goal or simply took more steps than usual, every mile was a step toward better health and wellness. Overall winners: 1st Place: Each participant earned a $200 gift card! Sole Winners Jefte Chirinos, Courtney Zobie, DiJonai Johnson, and Michelle Harris 2nd Place: Each participant earned a $100 gift card! Data Walks, AI Talks Swati Mishra, Rosa Collins, Marshall Pender, and Ella Gaughan 3rd Place: Each participant earned a $75 gift card! The Fleet Feet Miranda Tillett, Ashley Vargo, and Michelle Tillett Raffle Winners ($100 gift card each): Brenda Housley, Taylor-Rene Flemmings, and Nicole Andrewes Winners will receive an email soon with instructions on how to redeem their gift cards. July is UV Safety Awareness Month Now is the perfect time to protect your health whether you're on the job or enjoying time outdoors. Prolonged exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase your risk of eye damage, skin cancer, and heat-related illness. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, seeking shade when possible, and staying hydrated are simple steps that can make a big difference. Take advantage of the resources available through your benefits. Visit EyeMed's EyeQ Resources for tips on protecting your vision and learn more about prescription safety eyewear options if they're part of your job. Boosting Your Benefits Earn Rewards for Taking Care of Your Health An additional reminder that you may be able to earn rewards while completing healthy activities throughout the year. Employees enrolled in the Health Savings Account (HSA) plan may be eligible to earn up to $125 per quarter for submitting proof of a physical through Wellworks. Follow this link for information on how to submit your proof of physical. In addition, Anthem members can access wellness incentives and rewards through the Sydney Health app. Follow these links to the Apple and Google stores to download the Sydney app. Four Pillars of Mental Health: Emotional Health Emotional health is a key part of overall mental wellbeing, along with the other three pillars: physical health, cognitive health, and social health. It shapes how you handle stress, relate to others, and respond to life’s ups and downs. When your emotional health is strong, you can understand your feelings and recover easily from difficult moments. Like a pillar that supports a building, emotional health helps keep the rest of your mental health steady and balanced. Read “Four Pillars of Mental Health: Emotional Health ” to learn more. Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support resources for ALL employees and their families, including counseling, mental health tools, and referrals. This is a free, confidential service, and you don’t need to be insured through the company to use it. Lincoln Financial EmployeeConnect EAP: Check out the flyer here , en Español . Anthem EAP: When you call, please state that you work for XKIG. More information can be found here, en Español . For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xkig.com Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site at xkig.hrbenefits.net We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site at xkig.hrbenefits.net Wellness Wednesdays For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xkig.com A Simple Test That Could Save Your Life March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time to learn about one of the most preventable cancers. Screening can find problems early, sometimes before cancer even starts. If you are age 45 or older, talk with your doctor about getting screened. Pay attention to changes in your body and speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Taking charge of your health today can help protect your future. Find more information here . Did you know you can earn $25 from your Anthem rewards for colorectal screening? Learn more . Small Food Choices, Big Health Wins March is National Nutrition Month, a great time to think about the foods that fuel your body. Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. Try adding more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to your meals. Drinking water and limiting sugary drinks can also make a big difference. Small choices each day help build stronger habits — and a healthier you. Nutritional Counseling is covered with a copayment (depending on your plan). By downloading the Anthem’s Sydney app , you’re one step closer to healthy prevention. Find more information here in English and en Español . Let’s Talk About Medicare Are you or a loved one turning 65 soon? Learn more about Medicare with these free webinars . Planning for Retirement : March 26 at 4 p.m. ET / Click here to register / Phone: (872) 267-6179 / Conference ID: 472 172 758 Turning 65 : April 8 at 11 a.m. ET / Register: Click here to register / Phone: (872) 267-6179 / Conference ID: 801 472 040 Boosting Your Benefits Take Charge of Your Health: Diabetes and Kidney Disease Diabetes Alert Day on March 24 This day reminds us to check our risk for type 2 diabetes. Many people have early warning signs but don’t know it. Being overweight, inactive, or having a family history can raise your risk. The good news is that healthy habits can help prevent or delay diabetes. Eating balanced meals, staying active, and getting regular checkups are important steps. Knowing your risk is the first step toward protecting your health. Our Lark Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) can assist you in managing diabetes through a convenient app. Download flyers to learn more in English or en Español . Protect Your Kidneys Your kidneys work hard every day to filter waste and keep your body balanced. But kidney disease often has no early symptoms, which means many people don’t know they have it. Conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can increase your risk. Simple steps like these can help protect your kidneys: Drink plenty of water Eat healthy foods Stay active Keep regular checkups If you have risk factors, ask your doctor about a simple kidney test. Learn more about prevention here . Our ConditionCare program helps you better manage chronic illnesses, like diabetes and kidney health. Learn more, in English or en Español . Don’t Forget Your Credit Union Perks! We’ve partnered with Utilities Employees Credit Union (UECU) to give all employees special banking benefits! Open a checking account or Visa® Power Card™ and get a $25 gift card, plus enjoy perks like no monthly fees, ATM fee refunds, and great loan rates. You can even earn rewards and get up to 0.5% off your loan rate with certain accounts. It’s easy to join and start saving — visit uecu.org/XKIG or call 800-288-6423/ext. 7502 for more details. Don’t forget to mention this flyer (en Español aqui ) to get an extra $10 gift card when you open an account! The 2026 Scholarship Contest is now open! For this year’s contest, UECU is selecting two winners and awarding each a $3,000 academic scholarship. If you or a family member will be attending college or a technical/trade school in the fall of 2026, you can enter for a chance to win a scholarship. Submit a scholarship application online by May 1, 2026 It’s National Walk in the Park Day on March 30 Many of our team members spend their days outside, walking job sites, working on rights-of-way, and staying active in the field. That kind of movement is powerful for your health. Walking helps keep your heart strong, boosts your mood, and lowers stress. Even small moments like stretching, taking a few extra steps, or getting fresh air during a break can make a difference. The work you do keeps communities running, and it also helps keep your body moving. Walking is also a great way to take care of your emotional health. Don't forget you can also contact your Employee Assistance Program, or EAP. Support is available 24/7. See the resources below: Lincoln Financial EmployeeConnect EAP: Check out the flyer here , en Español . Anthem EAP: When you call, please state that you work for XKIG. More information can be found here, en Español aqui . For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xkig.com Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site at xkig.hrbenefits.net We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !