Bay Breeze

Beth Valdez, President

Fore! Time to polish those clubs, hit the range, and round up your foursome—our annual Golf Event is tee’d up for Tuesday, October 7th! Same scramble format, same time. Just send me an email and I’ll get you registered. I’ll also know if you’re reading my message.

And while we’re on the subject of growth, it’s not just about lowering your handicap. Lately I’ve been thinking about what it really means to grow—not only in business, but as people and as a community. For me, growth always comes back to two things: innovation and community.

When I say innovation, I don’t just mean shiny new tools or technology. It’s about looking at challenges with fresh eyes, finding creative ways to solve problems, and learning how to do things better together. Real innovation sparks when we’re curious, open, and willing to try something new—and it’s even more powerful when we do it as a community.

And nowhere do we see the need for both innovation and community more clearly than in the challenges facing our landscapes. We all see it—our trees and landscapes are under a lot of pressure with these hotter, drier seasons. Trees that stood steady for years are now showing signs of stress—a wake-up call. The good news? Our industry is full of ideas and solutions. In my role with Davey Tree, I’ve been fortunate to see firsthand how innovation is changing the way we approach these challenges, whether it’s smarter irrigation setups, climate-tough plant material, or big investments like Davey’s new SEED Campus that’s focused on research and education. I’m proud to work for a company that not only supports this kind of forward thinking but also supports me both professionally and personally in serving as your CLCA President.

But if I’m honest, what really gets me through these challenges isn’t just the tools or the research—it’s the people. It’s this community. Being able to pick up the phone, swap ideas at meetings, or just know someone else has faced the same challenge and found a way forward—that’s powerful. And that’s what CLCA networking is really good at.

When I think about growth, it’s not just about winning more work or adding new accounts. It’s about how we grow together, how we lean on one another, and how we keep raising the bar for our industry. At the end of the day, our trees and our people are both stronger when we invest in innovation and in each other.

I’m excited and grateful for what we are accomplishing together this year—let’s keep growing side by side. As a chapter, we’re not just building connections, we’re creating opportunities that lead to sustainable outcomes and long-term success for our industry and our members. To keep that momentum going, we want to invite you—our new and seasoned members alike—to join our board. It’s an opportunity to share your passion, your ideas, and your vision. If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved, now is the perfect time to help shape what’s ahead.

And a special thank you to Davey Tree for supporting my involvement with CLCA. Having their backing means a lot—not just for me, but for the value it brings to our community as we continue to grow, learn, and succeed together.

So let’s keep driving forward—on the course and in our industry—together.

Warmly,

Beth
Regional Business Developer
The Davey Tree Expert Company