Ross promoted to ACRT Services COO

ACRT Services announced that C. Troy Ross has been promoted to chief operating officer after 24 years with the company.

ACRT C. Troy Ross
C. Troy Ross

When Ross joined the organization in 1999, he moved from Ohio to Tennessee for an entry-level utility vegetation management job.

As time went on, Ross continued to grow with the company – earning positions as a lead forester and operations manager to director of operations and president of ACRT, and most recently executive vice president of operations at ACRT Services — a role in which he oversaw all ACRT Services companies.

Ross is also a member of the organization’s board of directors, strategy and management committees of the board and looks to continue to provide the organization with innovative thinking and exceptional leadership among other things.

“One thing that I have seen play out in my career is what I call the ACRT Services equation,” Ross said. “It is a simple concept, but I have witnessed it repeatedly: Growth + Change = Opportunity. Some people call opportunity, luck. My dad always said luck is when skill and preparation combine and realize opportunity.”

Ross explained how his first leadership role was as a lead forester. The contract he was assigned to doubled the size of its workforce, leading to a supervisor opportunity. He had a spotless work record, was the leader in productivity, and became an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist Utility Specialist. He was prepared, so when the opportunity presented itself, he was ready – a nod to the growth + change = opportunity, noting that he created his own “luck.”

“One thing always rings true when it comes to ACRT Services, I love this place. I love all of our companies, our culture, and the coworkers that I call family and friends,” said Ross.

Ross’ servant leadership style shines through his passion for and involvement in the industry. He’s served the industry through organizations such as the Utility Arborist Association as a director, champion of its editorial committee, and member of the ISA Arborist Utility Specialist training program.  Ross has spoken at several conferences and has been published in various industry publications. During his career, he has helped hundreds of utilities create, support, and sustain utility vegetation management programs that provide their communities with safe and reliable service.

Ross holds a degree from Hocking College in Natural Resources Law Enforcement, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Union University, and an MBA from Ashland University.

“As ACRT Services strives to become a larger and better organization, Ross continues to provide the organization with exceptional leadership and innovative thinking, while creating new opportunities for talented individuals within the organization,” said Mike Weidner, CEO of ACRT Services.