Hall Of Fame Inductees

 

The individuals nominated should have made a significant impact or positive influence that assures the future of our industry in the lives of generations to come.

 

Once nominated, an individual’s biography and photo are updated on the site, and he or she is placed in the polls for voting. At the end of the year the committee takes into consideration the votes and decides which candidates are inducted.

 

Those with a star (*) next to their name below were either inducted posthumously or have passed away since being inducted.

 

Nomination Qualifications

  • Person with integrity and passion
  • Minimum 20 years in industry
  • Someone who has developed  or invented  new technology
  • Has made contributions that resulted in change
  • Contributed to mankind’s needs in his field
  • Provided education and encouragement  with self-sacrifice
  • Changed the industry

Rose Epperson

An Orange County arborist and businesswoman will receive the 2018 Jim Hicks Agricultural Achievement Award from Cal Poly Pomona.

 

Rose Epperson is a certified arborist with more than 35 years’ experience in tree care and is a principal in the Anaheim-based West Coast Arborists. She is also a prominent figure in arborist industry organizations.

 

“Rose cares deeply about trees and has invested deeply of her time and herself into the arborists’ profession,” said Lisa Kessler, interim dean of the Huntley College of Agriculture. “We salute her passion and are proud to honor for her contributions.”

 

“Maintaining and enhancing our urban forests is my passion: it’s essential for our environment and quality of life,” Epperson said. “I’m honored to be recognized by the Huntley College of Agriculture.”

 

The college will present the award at its 4th Annual Farm to Table Dinner on Saturday, April 14.

 

Epperson created Epicenter Management in an effort to bring tree care industry associations together. The company manages the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Society of Commercial Arboriculture, the Professional Tree Care Association of San Diego, and the Street Tree Seminar.

 

She also is the current executive director and a past president of the Western Chapter ISA. Epperson established the chapter’s John Britton Memorial Fund (The Britton Fund, Inc.) as a separate nonprofit organization to promote research and educational opportunities that advance arboriculture in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii.

 

Epperson is a member of the California Urban Forest Council’s policy council and a past president and current board member of California ReLeaf, a nonprofit organization that aims to preserve and protect urban and community forests. She is also a member of the TREE Fund’s Heritage Oak Society.