The 2009 TVMA Lifetime Achievement Award winner was Rich Hendler. Rich has been actively involved in Utility Vegetation Management (UVM) since the late 1970’s. He earned a B.S. in Biology from Tulane University, and joined Dow AgroSciences after receiving an M.S. in Agronomy from Texas A&M University in 1979 .

In the first part of his career with Dow, Rich was a Technical Service & Development Representative, supporting the development and introduction of new herbicides and application techniques in the Northeast. It was in this capacity that he cut his teeth in the UVM industry, conducting R&D, and working directly with utilities and applicators from West Virginia to Maine. During his time in the Northeast he helped launch Garlon and supported development of low volume basal application technology. He was active in the Northeast Weed Science Society (NEWSS), Mountain Lake vegetation management conference, and the West Virginia Vegetation Management Assc.

In 1985 he accepted a position in Dow’s Sales & Marketing group and transferred back to his home state of Texas. Since then Rich has been a driving force in the UVM industry in his region, He was the Inaugural President of the Texas Vegetation Management Association (TVMA), and a Past President of the Louisiana Pesticide Applicators Association (LPAA) . Rich currently serves as President of the Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association (OKVMA).

Rich has hosted several regional gatherings of utility foresters; the purpose of is to facilitate networking within the community of professionals. Discussions typically range from current UVM practices to UVM related R&D, and includes discussion of current and emerging issues and regulations. Rich also conducts numerous training courses throughout the year which help practicing utility arborists and applicators meet both pesticide licensing and professional
certification requirements.

Rich makes his home in Colleyville, Texas, and has been active in local politics.
He was a Parks Board Member & Chairman (1994-2001), and was instrumental
in Colleyville obtaining Tree City USA, now having celebrated the 10th year.
Rich was also a Tree Board Member, and served as City Councilman for three
terms (2002 – 2008).