Our Team

Greg Ranallo

Owner, Consulting Arborist
ISA Certified Arborist

Greg started Teacher’s Tree Service in Minnesota with an old pickup and a homemade trailer in 1994 as a way to supplement his teaching income. He moved his family and the business to Vermont in 2003 and made arboriculture his full-time vocation. Over 20 years later, Greg continues to consult with clients, coach crews, and educate us all about trees. When he isn’t doing arboriculture work, he’s goofing off on his mountain bike, skiing, or otherwise exploring the great outdoors.

Sarah Pears

Operations Manager & Consulting Arborist
ISA Certified Arborist
MS Natural Resources, University of Vermont 

Sarah is responsible for day-to-day operations which includes everything from scheduling jobs to running weekly payroll. Her background in forest ecosystem health and management comes into play when she is working with clients to enhance their landscapes for humans and native wildlife. When she’s not at work, Sarah prefers to run, hike, and canoe in wild places.

Ben Balparda

Ground Ops, Climber, Lift Operator
BS in Environmental Science, University of Vermont

Ben joined our crew right after graduating from UVM in 2022 with chainsaw experience gained through Game of Logging 1-4 and work as a forestry intern sawyer. Since then, Ben has become our resident expert operating the tracked lift, and he is building his tree-climbing experience from the ground up. Ben is known on the crew for his positive attitude and ready smile.

Teague Tompkins

Ground Ops, Climber-in-Training
BA Philosophy, Kalamazoo College

Teague hired on with our crew the summer of 2023. He is building his expertise working on trees from roots to shoots: Teague frequently works on our tree- and shrub-planting crew, and is already a reliable member of our ground operations. Given his diverse- yet relevant- experience as a climbing wall instructor and floral design apprentice, we’re confident that Teague will soon join the ranks of our skilled tree climbers.

Derrick Bailey

Ground Ops, Crew Leader, Safety Director
Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) Plant Health Care technician

Derrick joined our crew in 2020 with a background in professional wildland firefighting. He now leads our safety program, and trains every new crew member. Derrick is one of our best sawyers, and primary cartaker of our chainsaws, chippers and stump grinder. Whether it’s blasting sea shanties, singing historic work songs, or playing the blues on his harmonica, Derrick sets the beat for the crew every morning.

Eric Reindel

Ground Ops, Crew Leader, Equipment Specialist

Eric joined Teacher’s Tree Service in 2018. He’s best known for feats of strength and agility in our articulated loader, but he also excels in understanding and planning out the applied physics problem that every tree removal presents. The newest trick in Eric’s repertoire is dexterously removing trees from tight spaces with the grapple saw, our truck-mounted, remote-control articulated crane.

Matt Farkas

Sales Arborist and Plant Health Care technician

Matt joined the Teacher’s Tree Service team in 2020 as a crew member. His easy rapport with our clients and curiosity about trees has led him into his current role as a Sales Arborist. An autodidact of the best sort, if Matt doesn’t already know the answer to a question, he will track it down or figure it out.

Mike Hebert

Climber & Lift Operator. 
ISA Certified Arborist, Certified Tree care Safety Professional

When he joined our crew in November 2023, Mike brought a wealth of arboriculture training, experience and knowledge from his years caring for trees in central and eastern Massachusetts.  He quickly found a niche as one of our top climbers and lift operators.  His daily preparation, steady pace and attention to detail keep our crews running smoothly.  When he isn’t wearing his arborist helmet, Mike explores the backcountry of the Green Mountains with his husky pup.

Matt Parker

Crew leader, Climber, Equipment Specialist
ISA Certified Arborist
BS Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences, Paul Smith’s College

Since he joined our crew in 2018, Matt has been a founding member of our Plant Health Care team, risen through the ranks of our climbers, and continues to serve as a leader in both technical skill and professionalism on the crew. He makes operating our biggest equipment – the bucket truck and grapple saw – look easy! In true Vermont fashion, Matt’s family keeps a laying flock of hens and harvests honey from their apiaries.

Nick Steijn

Plant Health Care tech, Habitat Enhancement Specialist, Ground Ops
BS Biology, Hobart College

Nick’s expertise and experience studying and restoring a range of native habitats make him a valued member of our Habitat Enhancement team. Even when he’s cutting back invasive buckthorn, Nick has an eye out for interesting or rare plants to point out to clients and his colleagues. During the growing season, Nick is often treating our native trees to protect against invasive pests and pathogens.

Mack Phillips

Climber & Lift Operator

Mack joined our crew in September 2023 after six years of pruning and removing big trees, including Douglas Firs and sequoias, in Portland, OR.  While the ice and snow of New England winters may be new to him, Mack has yet to see a tree here that compares to the behemoths he tackled in the Pacific Northwest.  His technical skill and dedication to growing the next generation of tree climbers are assets our team values highly.

Emma Schneider

Ground ops, Climber & Equipment operator
BS Environmental Science University of Vermont

When she joined our crew in October 2023, Emma was already proficient in all things ground ops from raking to stump grinding. She’s growing into her new role as a climber, continuing her adventures in tree care that started when she completed Game of Logging Levels 1 & 2 as an undergrad.  On our crew, Emma is known for her desire to continuously learn and take on challenges.

Lauren Mulvana

Scheduler, Fleet Manager, and Plant Health Care Technician

BS Biology, SUNY College at Cortland

Lauren is the friendly voice who greets you when you call our office!  In addition to organizing our crew calendar and managing our fleet, Lauren frequently escapes outdoors to lend a hand on  Plant Health Care services.  Her easy-going nature and dedication to ‘getting stuff done’ make her a valuable asset to our clients and crew alike.

Colin McPhillips

Sales Arborist

BS  Forestry, University of Vermont

Colin joined our consulting & sales team in 2024 with two years of experience operating his own tree care business.  He’s a great listener, especially when it comes to clients’ concerns and goals. Colin’s forward thinking and attention to detail are assets to our consulting team and crew.