CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Chris has been CEO of ArborWorks since July 2023 after previously serving as the company’s General Counsel. Prior to joining ArborWorks, Chris practiced law as the Chief Legal Officer of a large public company and as a corporate lawyer and partner at several international law firms. Chris serves on the Boards of Desert Financial Credit Union and Child Crisis Arizona. Chris teaches Mergers & Acquisitions at ASU’s school of law and has previously been recognized as a General Counsel of the year, as a Titan CEO and as ASU’s Professor of the Year.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Dan has deep experience as a large company CFO having recently been the CFO for Limelight Networks/Edgio for 10 years. Before that he was in senior roles with Republic Services and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. We are excited to have his leadership and experience leading our finance and accounting teams as we continue to grow across the country.
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
Brian has over 22 years of experience in Operations. Most recently, Brian was the Sr. Vice-President of Operations for Penhall Company which is the largest concrete sawing, coring, breaking and demolition company in North America. Prior to that, he worked in progressing roles for Aegion Company, Whiting-Turner Contracting and Kiewit. Brian’s primary focus will be driving operational process’ and procedures, efficiencies and improvements throughout the organization and leading our operations to drive margin improvements all while continuing to scale the company through a diverse client portfolio. Brian’s background in change management, contracting and service-based business will bring a welcome of new concepts and ideas to the organization.
CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER
Amanda has over 17 years of experience in the utility transmission and distribution industry, with a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions. She has previously held leadership roles in the utility industry, where she successfully implemented strategic initiatives to drive growth and operational excellence. Amanda has an MBA in Management Strategy & Entrepreneurship from Rutgers Business School.
CHIEF OF STAFF & SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Karla has over 20 years of experience in field operations and a proven track record in several senior roles spanning operations, sales, compliance, and real estate. Driven by a passion for delivering exceptional customer service, Karla firmly believes that operational efficiency is the foundation of customer satisfaction. She holds dual degrees in Business Management and Business Marketing from Midlands Technical College in Columbia, South Carolina.
At ArborWorks, Karla is responsible driving organizational alignment, operational efficiency, and strategic execution to meet both current and future organizational needs.
Beyond her corporate leadership focus, Karla is committed to social impact. She currently serves on the board of Chrysalis, a Phoenix-based nonprofit domestic violence shelter, where she contributes her operational expertise and advocacy for community support.
CORPORATE CONTROLLER
Joyce brings over 35 years of accounting leadership experience to ArborWorks, spanning multiple sectors, including her most recent role as VP, Global Controller in the content delivery network industry. Her expertise includes acquisition integration and consolidation, treasury and debt management, ERP system implementation and upgrades, and accounting process improvements. Joyce has a proven track record of reducing close cycles and costs while ensuring SOX compliance and audit readiness. She is also dedicated to building and mentoring high-performing teams to exceed collective and individual goals.
VICE PRESIDENT OF PURCHASING
Melissa started her career in Accounting, Finance, and Purchasing over 20 years ago and has experience in the Retail and Construction Rental Industries. After taking a break from Accounting to work on an ERP implementation of SAP, she transitioned to a Purchasing role, where she started the procurement department for the company she was at. Melissa joined ArborWorks in May of 2022 and is currently responsible for our company-wide purchasing initiatives' organization, integration, and alignment.
A highly results-oriented and detailed professional, Melissa has over ten years of comprehensive accounting experience, including management roles.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Eric Caldwell brings extensive leadership experience across multiple industries, excelling in managing and inspiring large teams. His career includes serving as Vice President of Operations and Regional Director in various sectors, as well as holding key leadership roles within the Vegetation Management industry. Eric played a pivotal role in expanding our Pre-Inspection department, guiding it to such remarkable success that it branched into its own company, ArborVista.
Now, his focus is on tree crew operations, where his expertise in team building, motivation, forward-thinking strategies, and consistency continues to drive the company’s growth and success. As Vice President, Eric oversees all operations across the western states, ensuring the efficient execution of team objectives while fostering strong partnerships, including ArborWorks' collaboration with its largest client.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional.
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FP&A
With over 35 years of experience in the technology industry, Andrew Wallace joined ArborWorks in 2024, bringing extensive expertise in financial leadership and system innovation. A Certified Public Accountant, he began his career in public accounting before advancing into key leadership roles, including Assistant Controller, Controller, and over a decade specializing in Financial Planning & Analysis.
At ArborWorks, Andrew applies his deep knowledge of financial systems to design and implement advanced solutions, including Hyperion and Power BI, optimizing processes and delivering strategic, data-driven insights.
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC ACCOUNTS
Kelli joined our team in 2019 as Director of Payroll. She is an Oakhurst local and a mother to two school-aged boys. Kelli has made leaps and bounds since she joined our team, setting an inspiring example of passion and hard work. Today, as Director of Business Development, she helps build and maintain strong relationships with key business clients. Kelli is a wealth of knowledge with over seven years of experience in industrial operations and is one of the key players in keeping our crews busy every day.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL REPORTING
& TECHNICAL ACCOUNTING
With 14 years of experience in public and corporate accounting, Alexandra Manuel is a highly skilled and results-oriented professional, dedicated to driving financial performance and ensuring operational efficiency. She is well versed in closing processes, internal controls, financial reporting, and audit preparation.
Alex possesses a strong understanding of accounting principles and practices, with a proven track record of success in managing the full accounting cycle, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation. At ArborWorks, Alex assists with the monthly close process, technical accounting, financial reporting and oversees the billing department. Her experience is key is producing accurate and timely financial results.
Alex holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Arizona and is a Certified Public Accountant.
DIRECTOR OF SAFETY
DJ has held various positions in the vegetation management industry since 2004 and joined ArborWorks in 2018 as Director of Safety. His 21 years of extensive firsthand experience helped develop and implement our comprehensive safety program. DJ oversees a team of Environmental Health & Safety Specialists dedicated to safety education, training, and compliance. With his leadership, ArborWorks has cultivated a strong safety culture, allowing the company to excel in industry standards.
DJ is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional and an Altec Sentry Aerial Device Professional Safety Trainer.
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Julia Veleta is an experienced human resources leader with over a decade of experience supporting growing organizations through strategic people leadership, organizational development, and workforce planning. She brings a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach to human resources, with a strong focus on building scalable programs that support both business objectives and employee success.
As Director of Human Resources at ArborWorks, Julia leads the HR team and oversees all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including talent acquisition, employee relations, and compliance. She partners closely with executive leadership to align people strategy with company goals while fostering a strong, inclusive workplace culture.
Julia is a professional member of the Society for Human Resource Management and is Predictive Index Certified.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Rachel Hipps has nearly 10 years of experience in the vegetation management industry, bringing a strong background in field leadership, regulatory compliance, and operational strategy. Her career has been shaped by hands-on field experience in complex utility environments. She has led multiple utility contracts and supported major disaster response efforts, enabling her to translate field realities into informed, strategic decision-making.
As Director of Operational Excellence at ArborWorks, Rachel oversees field operations in the Southwest and leads initiatives that drive operational efficiency and sustainable growth, with a focus on safety, community impact, and marketing strategy.
Rachel holds a degree in Business Administration from Liberty University and is a Qualified Applicator in multiple states. She is also a board member of the Arizona Community Tree Council.
DIRECTOR OF FIELD TRAINING
AND DEVELOPMENT
With 37 years in the vegetation management industry, Terry Dollar has worked on projects across the U.S., including major storm recovery efforts. Starting as a Groundsperson, he advanced through various roles, gaining extensive field experience and leadership expertise. As Director of Field Training and Development at ArborWorks, Terry is passionate about mentoring crews and enhancing their industry knowledge, skills, and safety practices. Dedicated to employee growth, he strives to equip teams with the tools and training needed for long-term success.
An ISA Certified Arborist and Utility Specialist, Terry remains committed to developing the next generation of vegetation management professionals.
Join the team
Interested in joining ArborWorks? Contact us or visit our careers site.
