Urban forester interviews begin tomorrow with three applicants
McMinnville officials have reduced the number of urban forester applicants to seven, and three of the applicants will be interviewed tomorrow beginning at 4:30 p.m.
During the last meeting of the Building and Grounds Committee, chairman Billy Wood and committee member Jimmy Haley took the nine applicants, reviewed them once more and removed the names of Dr. Frank A. Mrema and Jerry R. Walling.
Of the remaining seven, the three applicants who will be interviewed tomorrow in the respective interview order include: Travis M. Hawkins Sr., Hank Patton and David A. Jahn.
? Travis Hawkins of Winchester, Tenn. ? Recent work experience includes grounds, motor pool, forestry operations supervisor for the University of the South. He has experience with landscape design and installation, tree preservation techniques and budget forecasting and management.
As for education, he has a bachelor of science degree in ornamental horticulture and landscape design.
? Hank Patton of McMinnville ? Recent work experience includes working at McMinnville Country Club from 1996 to 2006. During his employment there, he was responsible for grounds and landscaping which included grass management.
As for education, he has a bachelor of science degree in turf grass management and horticulture, is CPR certified, and a member of the International Society of Arboriculture.
? David Jahn of Pittsburgh, Pa. ? He is currently Pittsburgh City Forester. He oversees 11 employees and maintains 31,524 trees over 903 miles of city streets. This current department has an annual budget of $640,000.
As for education, he has a bachelor of arts degree in religion, an associates degree in agriculture with a major in nursery and landscape horticulture and is a certified arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture.
Interviews on these three applicants will begin at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon at McMinnville City Hall. The remaining four applicants will be called for interviews at a later date.