Fellow Akron Rotarian, Tina  Graver was our presenter on November 3rd.  She shared the inspirational story of her vocation including the numerous challenges she faced in her field before taking a leap to start her own company.  

Graver is the founder and owner of Trees & Gardens Consulting, LLC, a woman-owned arboricultural consulting and plant health care company based in Northeast Ohio. An ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA), Tina has spent more than a decade working in professional arboriculture and holds degrees in Botany and Environmental Science.  Total BCMAs:  Fewer than 2% of all ISA Certified Arborists hold this certification (source: ISA Board Certifications). 

In addition, estimates vary, but Zippia career and CareerExplorer both site that only 7-12% of all arborists are female.

If women hold BCMAs at about the same rate as they work in the field (7–12%), that would mean Graver is one of only around 70 to 150 women in the U.S. with this status.   The real number could be lower, because the BCMA requires years of experience and the field had even fewer women in the past. 

WOW!  This puts Graver in a very rare group of specialists in her field and we are so very lucky to have her right here in NE Ohio.

Graver founded Trees & Gardens Consulting in 2024, took the business full-time in 2025, and has since grown it from a one-person operation into a growing company with employees, a dedicated facility, and an expanding range of consulting and plant health care services. Her work combines science, practical field experience, and a lifelong fascination with plants.

When she isn't talking about trees—which is admittedly rare—Tina is usually outside, working on the business, or spending time with her son and her dog, Star.

L-R our presenters at the tee-off:
Michael Gladysz, Mella Castner, Cyndi Kane, Jim Redmond  

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Thank you for teeing-off the 2027 Chili Open Golf Classic with us! This event is more than just a fundraiser or a chance to have fun. It symbolizes the opportunity for a child with special needs to make new friends, explore new experiences, build confidence, and create lasting memories.

It stands for a family that can relax knowing their child has a place where they are accepted, celebrated, and given the chance to experience everything camp has to offer.

At Akron Rotary Camp, we believe every child should have the opportunity to experience the magic of camp, regardless of their family's financial situation. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, what once seemed like a financial barrier can transform into an opportunity.

As you are thinking about the Chili Open, remember that we are discussing more than just golf or fundraising. We are opening doors, creating possibilities, and ensuring more campers have the chance to discover their potential.

It signifies a chance to belong, to grow, and to create a world where there are only abilities!

To help us grow this event and continue our support for Rotary Camp, consider forming your own foursome and invite them to join us and contribute to the success of the Chili Open:

• One golfer
• One business owner
• One community leader
• One individual who has never attended the Chili Open before

Together, we can elevate this event to new heights! Our ambitious goal is $375,000, and with your invaluable support, we are confident we can reach it.

Please reach out if you need any materials or further information. We look forward to celebrating the 37th annual Chili Open together on February 6, 2027, at Hale Farm & Village. 

Michael Gladysz and Cyndi Kane
Co-Chairs, 37^th Annual Chili Open Golf Classic

DOWNLOAD THE SPONSOR FORM HERE