Five-time World Champion Bernd Strasser, known as "Beddes" to friends, has been climbing for 16 years. Since 1994, he has been competing at the chapter and international levels. Strasser has finished with three second-place and five first-place rankings in the last eight years of ITCC Masters' Challenge competitions. He owns the tree climbing team Baumkletterteam, which specializes in seed collecting, research facilitations, and pruning. Strasser gives worldwide workshops on advanced climbing techniques, aerial rescue, and rigging. He is a certified European tree worker, a certified instructor for chain-saw use in trees, and an instructor for several German seed institutions. Together with Treemagineers, he is a consultant for Stihl and Yale Cordage. Strasser has a 14-year-old son, Silas, and enjoys every minute he can spend with him. In his spare time, Strasser enjoys "pretty much every summer and winter outdoor activitiy." You'll often find him paragliding, snowboarding, cross-country touring, hiking, canoeing, running, and especially climbing trees.

Returning this year with eight years of climbing experience, Ronny Epple is a five-time international competitor and five-time European competitor. Epple has been a self-employed arborist for seven years and is a six-year member of the Baumkletterteam, a tree climbing team in Gomadingen, Germany. He says his fastest 40' footlock time is 14.3 seconds. Epple and his partner, Paloma, enjoy many activities outdoors, including motorbike-eduros, hiking in the Austrian Alps, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing.

Joey Peters has eight years climbing experience, but this will be his first international competition. He has competed at the chapter level for six years and says his fastest 40' footlock time is 18 seconds. Peters has worked at Atlantic Arborists Ltd. for the last six years. He worked at Aplundh and Arbor Care Tree Service prior to that. Peters' educational background is in landscape horticulture technology. He volunteers for ISA on the Arbor Day Committee.

Grant Cody is competing for the first time at the international level. This self-employed contract climber has nine years of climbing experience, six of which are at the chapter level. Cody says his fastest 40' footlock time is 17 seconds. He earned his diploma in arboriculture from the University of Melbourne and was just married six months ago. His hobbies include dirt bike riding, fishing, and camping.

Morten Lindberg, who has competed at the chapter level for 10 years, returns to the international competition for his sixth appearance. He has been climbing for 13 years and works as an arborist for KS-Treecare. Lindberg also has 17 years experience as a forest worker and is ETW certified. He says his fastest 40' footlock time is 21 seconds.

Chris Meitner is returning for his fourth international competition. Meitner is a crew leader at Scott's Tree Service, Inc., and has been climbing for eight years. He says his fastest 50' footlock time is 20 seconds. Meitner also volunteers for ISA in the climbing competition. He is married to Tiffany and the couple has four children Stephen, Austin, Nathaniel, and Julia. When he's not climbing trees, Meitner enjoys fishing, spending time with family, helping others, and attending church.

Returning for his second ITCC is Michel Schneider. Schneider owns a tree climbing company and designs tree climbing equipment. He has been climbing for 10 years and competing every year at the chapter level. He says his fastest 40' footlock time is 25 seconds. Schneider is a BEPA forester. He and his wife, Cecile, have four children. In his spare time, Schneider enjoys fishing.

Todd Kramer, director of field operations and education for Kramer Tree Specialists, returns to ITCC for his fifth time. Kramer has been working for the family business since he graduated from high school. This ISA Certified Arborist volunteers for ISA as a head technician for the footlock competition and scoring judge for the worker climb. He has been competing at the chapter level for 14 years and says his fastest 40' footlock time is 13 seconds. He has been married to his wife, Laura, for five years. The couple has two children Emily, 3; and James, 2. Kramer enjoys rock climbing and camping in his free time.

Returning for his fourth year of international competition is Gary Brough. Brough has worked for Bartlett Tree Experts for five years. This ISA Certified Arborist has worked as a foreman, safety coordinator, spray technician, and crew supervisor. He has 10 years climbing experience with four years competing at the chapter level. Brough and his wife, Christina, of 11 years have two children Garrison and Avalyn. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, fitness, rope splicing, church activities, and spending time with his family.

Francesco Minelli has competed three times at the chapter level and now makes his second appearance as an international competitor. Minelli has been self-employed as an arborist for four years. He went to professional school as a gardener and nursery specialist.

Chris O'Bryan, co-owner of Limbwalker Tree Service, is competing in his third international competition. O'Bryan has worked with companies such as Davey (Kentucky), the U.S. Forest Service (Idaho), Northwest Plant Health Care (Washington), and Williams Tree Service (South Carolina). He has seven years of climbing experience and says his fastest 40' footlock time is 21 seconds. He has a Bachelor of Science in forestry from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Forest Resources from Clemson University. O'Bryan and his wife, Amanda, have a daughter, Nina, who is 3 years old.

Newcomer Dave Harmsworth is joining the international competition this year. Harmsworth has eight years of climbing experience, five of them at the chapter level. He says his fastest 40' footlock time is 26 seconds. Harmsworth started tree work in Holland in 1998, and started his own business, Treeworks, in 2005. This arborist/chainsaw carver has a national diploma in arboriculture. He calls himself a tree addict, but also enjoys cars and music. He is partnered with Eveline.

Jack Richardson is competing in his first international competition this year. Richardson works as an arborist with a private tree care company. He started with Bartlett Tree Experts, but later moved to Michigan. He is currently a climber/foreman, but has also served as a spray technician and salesman. Richardson has five years of climbing experience, with four years at chapter level competitions. He and his wife, Emily, have been married almost three years. Richardson enjoys playing baseball, working on his house, landscape design, and finding big trees.

Returning for his sixth international competition is Robert Gallant. Gallant is the owner of Gallant Tree Services. He has 18 years experience in the tree business, as well as two years in the U.S. Army. Gallant has been climbing for 18 years, with 14 competitions at the chapter level. His fastest 40' footlock time is 14 seconds. This Certified Arborist is a volunteer demonstrator for ISA. He and his wife, Linda, have six children Bobby, 14; Katherine, 10; Alexander, 8; Andrew, 7; Elizabeth, 5; and Victoria, 2. In his spare time, Gallant enjoys spending time with his family, church activities, all sports and outdoor activities, acting, singing, dancing, and reading.

Noel Boyer is competing in his fifth international competition. Boyer learned the ropes during his time at T-N-T Tree Service and Ryan Lawn & Tree. In 2005, he bought an established tree service in Springfield, Missouri. He has been climbing and competing at the chapter level for 10 years. He says his fastest 40' footlock time is 19 seconds. Boyer received a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in human resource management from Missouri State University. He and his wife, Myria, have been married eight years and have two children, Mary, 5; and Lily, 3. When he's not climbing, Boyer enjoys camping, canoeing, playing the trombone, and eating.

This will be Glen Palokangas' first international competition. Palokangas is self-employed at The Other Guy Tree Care, Inc. He gained climbing experience working with Tree Climbing Team USA. This ISA Certified Arborist also works as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit. Palokangas has been climbing for five years, four of which he has competed at the chapter level. He says his fastest 40' footlock time is 14 seconds. Palokangas has been married to Lorie for seven years. The couple have one child, Lauren, 2. His hobbies include spending time with family and friends, bike riding, hiking, and ice fishing.

Bruce Duffy has been in the industry for more than 20 years. He is a Massachusetts Certifed Arborist as well as an ISA Certified Arborist. Duffy works as a foremen for the Tree Specialists, Inc, in Holliston, MA. He also conducts training for other green industry companies, local schools, and municipalities. He is a three-time New England champion and is competing in his fifth international competition. Duffy has also judged the footlock event at the ITCC for the last four years. He lives in Rochester, MA with his wife, Melissa; niece, Kayla Perry; and nephew, Christopher Theatrault. When not at work, Duffy can be found climbing recreationally with his family or working on their small farm.

Climbing veteran, Mark Chisholm returns to the international level for the 16th time. He has 23 years experience and says his fastest 40' footlock time is 10.2 seconds. Chisholm is co-owner of his family business, Aspen Tree Expert Co., Inc. He is a New Jersey Tree Expert and an ISA Certified Arborist. He volunteers for ISA as a board member on the NJAISA board. He and his wife, Annie, have three children Ricky, 17; Lexi, 7; and Libby, 5. When he's not climbing trees, Chisholm enjoys spending time with his family and playing hockey.

Newcomer Brian Krawczyk joins the ranks of contestants this year. Krawczyk is co-owner of Summit Tree and Landscape. He is an ISA Certified Arborist as well as a New York State Certified Nursery Professional. He has four years of climbing experience, but this is his first year competing. His fastest 40' footlock time is 20.76 seconds. Krawczyk has been married to Colleen for three years and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and camping.

Tony Wilson will be competing in his second international competition this year. Wilson is a farmer/arborist. He has worked two years as a climbing arborist and five years as a contract arborist. He has also spent five years working on the family farm which includes 500 deer, 2500 sheep, a 700+ species arboretum and pinus radiate forestry. Wilson has nine years of climbing experience and says his fastest 40' footlock time is 21 seconds. He has been partnered with Ethne for two years and enjoys waterskiing, hunting, and social team sports.

Representing the Norway Chapter is Aadne Haugen. This is Haugen's second trip to the ITCC, but he has competed in eight chapter level competitions. He also has participated in the ETCC for five years. He says his fastest 40' footlock time is about 18 seconds. Haugen works as an arborist/foreman at ISS Landscaping. He has been there five years. He is a landscaper and ETW certified arborist. Haugen also volunteers for ISA as a board member for the Norwegian Chapter. His hobbies include mountain climbing and playing chess.

Jay Butcher will be competing in his third international competition, representing the Ohio Chapter. Butcher is a 4th generation arborist and works in the family business. He is also a student at Cincinnati State. He has been climbing for 11 years and says his fastest 40' footlock time is 12 seconds. He and his wife, Erica, have been married for two years. In his free time, Butcher enjoys fishing and kayaking.

Returning for his sixth ITCC is John Ransom. Ransom has worked in the industry for 10 years, climbing all 10. He has competed at the chapter level for eight years. Ransom has a forestry diploma and an urban tree forestry certificate. He has worked as an instructor and trainer for Arboriculture Canada and currently works for Arborwood Tree Service in Smith, Ontario. He is a volunteer for ISA on the test committee. He and his wife, Yvonne, have one child, Peyton.

Dan Kraus has returned to defend his title as 2005 ITCC Champion. Kraus is a second generation arborist who began his career in Hawaii after receiving his Bachelor of Science from the University of Hawaii, Hilo. He moved to Seattle and later started his own business, Cat in a Tree Rescue, where he has performed 472 rescues. Kraus is a volunteer instructor for ISA and has been climbing 22 years. His fastest 40' footlock time is 13.5 seconds. Kraus has been married to Justina for five years and enjoys woodworking, recreational climbing, learning to speak Spanish, cat rescues, and playing chess.

Joining the international competition for his first time is Gareth Tudor-Jones. Tudor-Jones is an Arborist foreman for Bartlett Tree Experts. He has eight years forestry experience and has been an arborist for five years. Also, Gareth has been climbing for five years, two of them competing at the chapter level. His fastest 40' footlock time is 19 seconds. Tudor-Jones has been married to Jackie for 10 years. They have two children, Evan, 8; and Reece, 6. Tudor-Jones enjoys white water kayaking, surfing, spending time with family, rustic woodworking, and bonsai.

Six-time Penn-Del champion James Roach arrives in Minneapolis for his sixth year of international competition. With more than 19 years of climbing experience, Roach learned how to climb by watching his boss climb where he worked as a teenager. He works as an ISA Certified Arborist and climber. He is married to Debbie, and they have 3 sons: Jimmy, 12 years old; Patrick, 9 years old; and Christopher, 3 years old. Roach enjoys computers, marine aquariums, and spending time with his family.

Frank Chipps is representing the Prairie Chapter for the fourth time. Chipps has eight years climbing experience, with six years competing at the chapter level. He says his fastest 50' footlock time is 14.04 seconds (The current world-record footlock time). This arborist owns his own business, Chipps TreeCare. He is also a volunteer for ISA, helping with Arbor Day. Chipps and his wife, Cynthia, have two children Wyatt and Georgia. In his spare time, Chipps enjoys hunting, fishing, and being a father.

Sylvain Turcotte has 24 years climbing experience, but this will be his first international competition. He has competed twice at the chapter level and says his fastest 40' footlock time is 18 seconds. Turcotte has worked 21 years as a tree worker and is currently a tree climber. He has worked for Arbo service and the City of Montreal. Turcotte is partnered with Miriam and has two children, Samuel, 7; and Olivier, 2. His hobbies include roller blading, hockey, skiing, bicycling, and snowboarding.

An eight-time chapter competitor and a three-time international competitor, Charley Wagner joins the competition from Boulder, Colorado. Wagner is a self-employed Certified Arborist and trainer who travels "all over the place enjoying trees and the people involved in their well being." He attended business school for two years at Metro State in Minneapolis and is currently studying tree work at the "School of Hard Knocks." When he's not climbing trees, he enjoys any activity involving water.

Douglas Wells travels to Minnesota from Åkersberga, Sweden, with eight years of climbing experience. He is a four-time competitor at the chapter and international levels. He says his fastest 40' footlock time is 25 seconds. Wells has been working since 1998 in the tree industry in the UK, Norway, Germany, and Sweden. This past year he started his own company, Wells Tradvard (Wells Treecare). He has a NCH certificate in arboriculture studies and an ETW. He has been partnered with Cecilia for six years and enjoys traveling, skiing, and football.

Mark Bridge is competing in his fifth international competition. Bridge has 15 years climbing experience, competing seven years at the chapter level. He says his fastest 40' footlock time is 15.5 seconds. Bridge started tree work in 1990 at a friend's company. He later co-founded Baumpartner. He is also involved with Baumklettern Schweiz, a company that offers a whole range of climbing courses from the basics through specialized, advanced modules. His most recent project, Treemagineers, with Bernd Strasser and Chris Cowell, involved the development of arborist techniques and equipment. Bridge is certified by the Swiss Arborist Association. He and his wife, Steffi, have three girls, Solvey, 11; Shona, 7; and Nevena, 5. When he's not climbing, Bridge enjoys spending time with his family, swimming, and reading.

Returning for his second international competition is Miguel Pastenes. This tree climber has a little more than three years climbing experience and a 19.22 second 40' footlock time. Pastenes began climbing in 2003 for Arboricultural Services, Inc. in Dallas, TX. He won the Texas Chapter competition in 2004 with less than a year of experience. Other than climbing trees, Pastenes enjoys playing soccer.

Joining us in his first international climbing competition is Jonathan Turnbull. Turnball has spent the last five years working as a tree surgeon. He worked in Sweden for a year as well as a local tree company, and now works for himself. He has a national certificate in arboriculture and a national diploma in arboriculture. He has been climbing for five years and has competed at the chapter level four times. He says his fastest 40' footlock is 11.5 seconds. Turnbull is partnered with Laura and enjoys recreational tree climbing, rock climbing, cross-country mountain biking, and skiing.

Although he has had 12 years of climbing experience, and competed six times at the chapter level, this will be Mark Malmstrom's first international competition. Malmstrom is an ISA Certified Arborist who has worked as a commercial arborist in Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. He is the owner and operator of Total Tree Care, specializing in large and difficult removals, crane work, pruning trees of all sizes, and some consulting. Malmstrom says his fastest 40' footlock time is 18 seconds. He and his wife, Candace, have been married nine years and have three children Logan, 6; Maren, 4; and Sam, 1. Malmstrom's hobbies include spending time with family, coaching his son's soccer team, working with youth in his church, cycling, and hiking.

Chad Brey is returning for his second international competition this year. He has eight years climbing experience, competing each year at the chapter level. His fastest 40' footlock time is 12 seconds. This climbing arborist has volunteered with ITCC and various chapters including MSA-EHAP. In his free time, Brey enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, Mira.

Chris Ruch is competing at the international competition for his first time. Ruch works as a trainer, safety administrator, and consultant. He says it's a fun, diverse job. Ruch has four years climbing experience, three at the chapter level. His fastest 40' footlock time is 14 seconds. Ruch and wife, Karrin, have two children Nick, 4; and Ali, 2. In his free time, Ruch enjoys fishing and hunting.