Certified arborist protects environment while ensuring system reliability
August 2024
Kolby Corrigan is the vegetation maintenance supervisor for Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative. (Photo by Jim Robertson)
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
Dreams can come true. Kolby Corrigan found his dream job about six years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Introduced to forestry while studying environmental science at his high school vocational-technical center, Corrigan was determined to find a career that allowed him to be outdoors. Although he did not have plans to attend college, his time spent in vo-tech inspired him to pursue a trade in forestry.
Corrigan earned his degree in forestry at Allegany College of Maryland and spent about 11 years in the field and earning his credentials as a certified arborist prior to joining the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative family about six years ago.
“Everyone always told me to pick something you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life,” says Corrigan. “Tree work is definitely hard work, but it’s like having a free gym membership.”
As vegetation maintenance supervisor for SMECO in Hughesville, Md., Corrigan oversees tree-trimming contractors, responds to member concerns about vegetation, and ensures the co-op remains compliant with state and federal regulations. Safety is his top priority — whether it’s regarding contractors, co-op crews, or SMECO members and the community.
“We maintain clearance and eliminate danger trees to improve system reliability and resilience during storms,” he says. With true appreciation for the environment, Corrigan’s determination to utilize all available resources includes the implementation of integrated vegetation management. His goal is to ensure compatible vegetation throughout and near SMECO rights-of-way while providing suitable habitat for pollinators and wildlife.
Corrigan was instrumental in the creation of pollinator gardens surrounding the infrastructure of the co-op’s solar farm in theHughesville, Md., area. “I was involved at the beginning with identifying test areas, preparing plots and planting the first seed mix,” he says.
The ability to immediately witness the results of his work and management of contractor crews offers Corrigan fulfillment,despite the challenges of regulations and inflation.
The lifelong co-op member appreciates the opportunity to live out his dream with an organization that makes him feel like he’s part of a family. “I have never looked back,” he exclaims.
For more information, visit vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers.