Nicky Dunbar – Owner
ISA Certified Arborist #PN-9910A | Licensed Mechanical Engineer #90399PE
As a former ecology educator turned mechanical engineer, arboriculture brings all of Nicky’s passions together. Nicky is the majority owner of Foster Trees, LLC and manages all of the company operations. Nicky can often be found talking about fruit trees or discussing how reintroducing beavers is a key ecological strategy for resilience while the climate is changing. Nicky claims that paperwork is her superpower and is responsible for all the reporting and other documentation for Foster Trees, LLC. She can’t seem to say no to wayward chickens and currently cares for a flock of 7.
Tim & Darlene Swet
Part owners of Foster Trees, LLC and Brad’s parents, Tim and Darlene form the Midwest outpost of the Foster Trees, LLC fan club. Tim and Darlene always supported Brad’s passion for trees, and now they are helping to keep his vision alive as the business moves forward without him. While they aren’t physically present in the Portland area, Tim and Darlene collaborate with Nicky to guide the business forward with their values. They also serve as Nicky’s garden inspiration and grow fruit trees of their own in their yard in Illinois!
Adam Edwards – Foreman & Estimator
ISA Certified Arborist # PN-9581A | Qualified Tree Risk Assessor
As Foster Trees, LLC’s foreman and estimator, Adam supports virtually every job we do in some way. From visiting sites and talking with clients to mapping hazardous trees, Adam has spent 9 years with Foster Trees doing just about everything.In his free time, Adam is a professional whitewater kayaker, photographer, and writer. He’s often found in the outdoors fueling his love of wilderness. Adam loves working outside and the long-term experience of helping shape and maintain a part of the urban forest environment. He has one kitten (Mars).
Bryan Markhart – Lead Climber & Crew Lead
ISA Certified Arborist # PN-9891A
Bryan is most often spotted in the top of the tree when he’s at work with Foster Trees, LLC. From Minnesota, Bryan began his career in arboriculture in 2019. In his previous career, Bryan worked as a market gardener and grazed animals, and the intersection between that work and recreational rock climbing met and meshed in his role as a climbing arborist. Bryan likes caring for large old trees and is a big fruit tree nerd. Bryan is an active gardener and spends time pursuing multiple outdoor sports, including skiing, mountaineering, and paddling. Bryan keeps rabbits and has two aquariums.
Luke Haley – Equipment Manager
Luke is everyone’s favorite teammate at Foster Trees, LLC, because he keeps our equipment running smoothly and solves repair problems when they show up. Before joining us, Luke was a technician fixing espresso machines and other coffee related equipment, so he makes the best coffee out of anyone on the crew. Luke was the very first ground support for Brad when Foster Trees was just getting its start. Luke likes how every day is different and there are always new problems to learn about and solve. He likes drinking coffee, listening to jazz, and spending time with Winifred (rescue cat) and Trapper (dumpster puppy).
Emily Hay – Ground Support & Climber in Training
Emily is a tree identification wizard and ready learner, and currently supports Foster Trees, LLC ground operations while training in climbing practices. She joined the field of arboriculture to have an opportunity to be hands-on in a field that interests her. She loves getting to be outside every day and feeling like the work she’s done has made a difference. Emily is interested in gardening, baking and cooking, and loves spending time outdoors practicing her tree identification and enjoying the natural world. Emily has an African pygmy hedgehog named Chandler and two bunnies named Twiggy (lionhead) and Buffy (mini lop).
Sophie Bowes – Ground Support & Climber in Training
Sophie is a climber and supports ground operations for Foster Trees, LLC and has been a wildland firefighter in addition to her arboriculture experience. She holds the title for “best banana bread” on the team. Sophie loves crochet and listen to true crime podcasts. She appreciates that every day in this industry is different, and that she gets to work with chainsaws (which is pretty cool). Sophie lives with multiple pets even though none belong to her (yet).
Jenny Plescia – Administrative Assistant
Jenny supports Foster Trees, LLC office operations and is often the first point of contact when you reach out to us. Jenny joined Foster Trees to share her skills in organization and communication, and helps us reduce our carbon footprint in estimating by scheduling focused on neighborhoods. Jenny is an avid walker, runner, and hiker, and takes her two elementary-aged boys outside with her whenever she can. Jenny is also a master of house plant care and has a pretty excellent collection of leafy creatures.