ATCP Meets with Ohio Dept of Insurance

Huge Win: Why Ohio Regulators Are Asking for YOUR Expertise

“You guys see this stuff closer and better than we ever can… Anything you guys have on the trends you’re seeing, I think that would be very beneficial, very helpful to us as we go forward.”

It is not every day that a young association gets a seat at the table with top level state officials. But that is exactly what happened this week. Despite snow days keeping kids at home and forcing us to work remotely, the Association of Tree Care Professionals (ATCP) leadership team met directly with the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI). The result? A massive step forward for every legitimate tree care business in the state.

Our team, including President Joe Whitledge, Vice President Stephan LeBlanc, and Government Relations Director Derek Norton, sat down with ODI Deputy Director Matt Peters and his team. The conversation was not about adding red tape. It was about collaboration, education, and elevating the industry. The Department of Insurance made it clear: they want to work with us, not against us.

The Government Wants to Help, Not Hinder

One of the biggest fears in our industry is unnecessary regulation. We were thrilled to hear that the ODI shares our “small government” mindset. Deputy Director Peters explicitly stated that they are not looking to regulate things they do not already regulate. Instead, they want to partner with us to solve the real problems that hurt everyone: fraud and bad actors.

They understand that the “bad apples” who abuse the system drive up premiums for homeowners and give professional arborists a bad name. The ODI officials were incredibly receptive to our mission of self regulation through ethics and high standards. They are looking to us to help them understand the difference between a legitimate professional and a storm chaser.

Your Technical Knowledge is Now a Resource

During the meeting, Board Member Mark Goodpasture and ATCP Member of Ohio Brad Briggs highlighted the critical safety issues that adjusters often miss. We discussed the dangers of “widow makers” and the strict requirements of ANSI Z133 and OSHA standards. We explained that sometimes, saving a tree is better than removing it, and other times, leaving a hazardous limb is a risk to life and property.

The response from the ODI was refreshing. They admitted that they have “blind spots” because they do not climb trees for a living. They want the ATCP to be their eyes and ears. By providing them with real world data and explaining the technical realities of our job, we can help them make better decisions that protect homeowners and ensure fair treatment for honest contractors.

A Direct Line of Communication

This meeting was not just a one time event. It established a direct line of communication between the ATCP and the state government. The ODI has effectively “deputized” our Government Relations team to bring issues directly to them. This means when you see trends that hurt the consumer or the industry, we now have a specific person to call who is ready to listen.

We are bridging the gap between two different worlds. By educating the insurance sector on proper arboriculture and billing practices, we are paving the way for a smoother, fairer process for everyone involved. This is exactly why the ATCP was formed: to give professional tree care companies a unified voice that commands respect.

Be Part of the Movement

We are moving fast, and we are making waves. If you have been on the fence about joining, now is the time. We are proving that when we stand together and uphold high ethical standards, even the highest levels of government will take notice. We are not just cutting trees; we are raising the bar.

We want to thank Matt Peters, Matt Walsh, and George McNabb from the Ohio Department of Insurance for their time, their transparency, and their willingness to protect Ohio homeowners alongside us. It is a great day to be a tree care professional.

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