In 2005 KPUD hired a trimming crew to provide year-round services to Klickitat county residences. The crew consists of three positions: Crew Foreman, Journeyman, and Groundman. This crew is stationed out of White Salmon most of the year, but also works throughout the county.

The crew’s foreman, Dale Stelter, was previously a tree trimmer with Kemp West in Snohomish before taking the foreman position at KPUD. He was with Kemp West for 10 years, and has been a tree trimmer for the past 20.

Dale enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, and shooting. He is excited to “get the new crew up and going” and start the much-needed tree trimming process along KPUD’s power lines.

The crew’s journeyman tree trimmer, Jeff Speelman, came to KPUD from Camas, WA. Jeff was previously employed with Tree Inc. for 2 ½ years. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii but accustomed to the area, Jeff was glad to be relocating to the area because of his love for The Gorge. He enjoys golfing, boating, and watching NASCAR races.

John Tallman, the crew’s groundman, is a native to the Goldendale area. John has fallen timber for 24 years and was previously employed by Log Processors.

John enjoys hunting and fishing. He expects the crew will be “more than busy” and “as long as there’s no computers involved” he’s excited to be a member of the team.

KPUD is excited to have a permanent tree trimming crew onboard to keep the tree growth along power line routes under control.