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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.
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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:
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Class A: Pintle Hook Restriction: Ryan Skipper
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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.
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!