Lucas Tree Experts is celebrating its centennial with a $500,000 permanent endowment to advance integrated vegetation management research across the United States and Canada. The Portland-based company provides services for electric utilities.
Founded in 1926, the third-generation family-owned business employs around 550 people across the United States and Canada. It is led by President and CEO Arthur Batson III.
Through the endowment, the company said it hopes to demonstrate how a Maine-based business can invest in the next generation of industry research and workforce development while creating a lasting legacy that will support innovation for decades to come.
“As we celebrate our 100th year in business, our top priority remains the same as it has always been — our people,” Batson told Mainebiz in an emailed response to questions.
“By investing in employee development, supporting our utility customers and advancing research and education through organizations like the TREE Fund, we are helping create opportunities for our employees while ensuring the utility arboriculture profession remains strong for generations to come,” he added.
The company announced the endowment at a recent conference in Vancouver, noting that the commitment represents one of the largest long-term investments in the utility vegetation management sector.
A company spokesman said that despite ongoing challenges in the electric utility industry, including severe weather and aging infrastructure, Lucas Tree Experts expects continued growth across its service territories and is actively hiring for several skilled positions. Besides arborists, the roles are in field supervision, safety training and business support.
“Our success has been built on developing talent from within while also attracting the next generation of professionals to the utility and arboriculture industries,” the company said.
