AWARD OF MERIT

The TCIA Award of Merit is the highest honor bestowed by the Tree Care Industry Association. It recognizes individuals or companies that have made a lasting, positive impact on the field of arboriculture, regardless of association membership. And TCIA is proud to announce that beginning in 2025, this honor will be renamed the Robert Felix Memorial Award of Merit. Robert Felix’s dedication to the tree care industry, and to the association, is iconic. As the executive vice president of the association for more than 23 years, Robert is responsible for the creation of the TCIA we know today. His diligence and tenure and legacy continue to resonate at TCIA, within the industry, and – most notably – within the recipients of this award. It’s for these reasons why we are proudly renaming the Award of Merit in Robert’s name.

TCIA’s 2025 Award of Merit was bestowed on Michael Raupp, Ph.D.

Known as “The Bug Guy,” Dr. Raupp, a professor emeritus and extension specialist in the Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland, received this honor for making complex insect science accessible to professionals and the public through his books, videos, blog and media appearances. His exceptional training programs on integrated pest management equip professionals with essential knowledge to protect trees, landscapes and ecosystems.

Past winners

  • 2025 Michael Raupp, Ph.D.
  • 2024 Tad Jacobs
  • 2023 Joe Tommasi
  • 2022 Bill Weber
  • 2021 Will Nutter
  • 2020 Jon Hickey
  • 2019 Scott Prophett
  • 2018 Richard Goforth
  • 2017 Mark Garvin
  • 2016 Tom Tolkacz
  • 2015 Dennis Ryan
  • 2014 Dr. John Ball
  • 2013 Terrill Collier
  • 2012 Jeanne Houser
  • 2011 Jerry Morey
  • 2010 Greg Daniels
  • 2009 Dan Christie
  • 2008 Tim Johnson
  • 2007 Mark Tobin
  • 2006 Peter Gerstenberger
  • 2005 Robert A. Bartlett Jr
  • 2004 Lauren Lanphear
  • 2003 Gary R. Mullane and Robert Mullane
  • 2002 Donald F. Blair
  • 2001 Pat Felix and John Britton
  • 2000 The Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
  • 1999 F. David Dickson* and Paul P. McFarland
  • 1998 Robert A. Bartlett, Sr.
  • 1997 Robert Felix
  • 1996 John R. Hendricksen
  • 1995 Asplundh Tree Expert Co.
  • 1994 P. P. Pirone and Paul Wolfe II
  • 1993 Dr. Alex Shigo
  • 1992 and Dr. Richard Harris
  • 1991 and George Tyler
  • 1990 and Walter E. Money
  • 1988 Hyland R. Johns
  • 1987 Erik H. Haupt
  • 1986 Richard G. Alvarez
  • 1985 The Davey Tree Expert Company
  • 1983 Professor Gordon King
  • 1982 The F. A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company
  • 1981 Earl J. Sinnamon
  • 1979 H. M. Van Wormer and Dr. L. C. Chadwick
  • 1978 Dr. Paul E. Tilford and Ross Farrens and Edwin E. Irish
  • 1980 John Z. Duling and Freeman L. Parr
  • 1984 Ray Gustin, Jr. and William P. Lanphear