Climbing in his fifth ITCC is Jared Abrojena from Oakley, California, US. Abrojena has been climbing for 20 years and competing for 12. He records his fastest 50’ footlock as 14+ seconds. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and works as an arborist with the family business Evergreen Tree Care. He is married to Kati, and the couple has a two-year old, Austin; and a two-month old Kiley. Besides spending time with his family, he enjoys camping, boating, and training for triathalons.

Gerard Reynolds returns to the ITCC for a second time as the men's champion of the Asia-Pacific regional competition. He has been climbing for 11 years and records his fastest 50' footlock time is 15.76 seconds. Reynolds is owner and operator of his own tree care business in Victoria, Australia and holds a diploma in Arboriculture from Burnley College. Reynolds and his wife, Wiebke, have two children, Ronja and Ollie. In his spare time, Reynolds enjoys bush walking, motorcycle riding, snow skiing, scuba diving, and fishing.

This year's European champion comes to the ITCC from the United Kingdom. Jonathon Turnbull is competing in his third ITCC and has been climbing for seven years and records his fastest footlock time as 13.97 seconds. Turnbull is a contract climber who has worked all over Europe and has the National Diploma of Arboriculture. He is partnered with Katy and enjoys skiing, rock climbing, water skiing, para punting, and ice climbing.

Matt Follett from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada is competing in his second international competition. He has 10+ years climbing experience and records a 50' footlock time of under 30 seconds. Follett graduated from Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture in 2001 and is currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Science. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and a Registered Consulting Arborist with ASCA. Follet has had the opportunity to work in the Midlands of England and Seattle, Washington, US and enjoys the role of educating his clients regarding increasing biodiversity and the complexity in our urban forest. He has been partnered with Roisin O’Connor for 13 years, and enjoys skiing, biking/bike touring, cooking, food, and good wine and beer.

Grant Cody, a self-employed arborist from Victoria, Australia, is competing in his second international competition. He has been climbing for 13 years and has a 50’ fastest footlock time of 17.15 seconds. Cody has a Certificate IV and a Diploma of Arboriculture from Melbourne University. He is married to Belinda, and they have a one-year-old son, Charlie. Cody’s hobbies include Enduro motorbikes, fishing, and camping.

Competing in his first ITCC is Erwin Vermuyten from Antwerpen, Belgium. He has been working as an arborist nine years for his own company, Boomverzorging Vermuyten, and freelance for other tree care companies. Vermuyten has his European Tree Worker Certificate and has attended arboriculture school in Roeselare, Belgium. He says his hobby is saving leaves on trees.

After competing for three years in Europe, Thomas Hegner competes for the first time at the world championships. Hegner is an ISA Certified Tree Worker and Certified Arborist and records a 50’ footlock best time of 18.22 seconds. Having been a computer programmer, he completed his forestry education in 2003 and now works as a forestry worker and European tree worker. Hegner is married to Sanne, and they have two children, three-year-old Marcus and one-year-old Cecilie. He enjoys skiing, American football, and being a father.

Edward Bingle of North Port, Florida, US is competing in his first international competition. He has been climbing for 9 ½ years and has a fastest footlock time of 24 seconds. Bingle, who is an ISA Certified Arborist and Certified Tree Worker/Climber Specialist, owns the tree business Bingletree. He is also currently working toward an Associate’s Degree. He is married to Heather and has three children, Kaycee, 8; Dauson, 6; and Wesley, 3. Besides spending time with his family, Bingle enjoys fishing and hunting.

Representing France at this year’s ITCC is Xavier Desnos. He is a self-employed arborist educated in landscape gardening and has been climbing for 15 years. Desnos records his fastest 50’ footlock as 20 seconds. Besides France, he has worked in England, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden. Desnos is partnered with Valentina and enjoys any sports in the wild such as snowboarding, rock climbing, mountain biking, surfing, and scuba diving.

Ronny Epple, 2006 European Champion, has been climbing and competing for 10 years. His fastest footlock time is 16.8 seconds. Epple, a self-employed arborist in Dapfen, Germany, was educated in forestry and received "Fachagrarwirt Baumpflege" in 2003, a German degree similar to a tree technician. He enjoys lots of outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, and snowboarding.

Competing in his eighth international competition is Todd Kramer of West Chicago, Illinois, US. Kramer is Director of Field Operations and Education for his family-owned business, Kramer Tree Specialists. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, a Certified Tree Worker, and a Tree Care Industry Association – Certified Training Safety Professional. Kramer said his fastest 50’ footlock was around 17 seconds. This 20-year climbing veteran also has volunteered as a scoring judge for the work climb and as an ITCC technician. Kramer enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Laura, their daughter, Emily, 6; and son, James, 4.

Brian Mann of La Porte, Indiana, US is competing in his second international competition this year. He has been climbing for 15 years and has a best of 32 seconds in the 50’ footlock. Mann has an Associate’s Degree in Conservation Law Enforcement and is part owner of his family’s business, The Tree Mann, Inc. He works as a sales person, climber, and bucket truck operator. Mann recently became an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. He has been partnered with Brook Rohlman for 9 years, and enjoys archery hunting for white tail deer, camping, rock climbing, snow skiing, finding Morel mushrooms, and traveling.

Competing in his third ITCC is Giovanni Ugo from Monza, Italy. He has been climbing for 16 years and has competed for eight. Ugo’s fastest 50’ footlock is 18.32 seconds. Having his European Tree Worker certification, he works as an arborist climbing and transplanting big trees as well as consulting. He is also a tree climbing instructor at Scuola Agraria del parco di Monza in Italy. Ugo has been partnered with Carla Cicogna Mozzoni for five years, and they have two daughters, Greta and Melissa, with a third child due in August. Besides spending time with his family and playing with his children, Ugo enjoys sky mountaineering, travelling in his VW van, and beekeeping.

Representing Japan for the first time in ITCC history is Terunobu Takahashi of Seto, Aichi, Japan. He has been climbing for three years, however, this is his first year climbing competitively. Teru Nobu was educated as a mechanical engineer, but he wanted to work with trees, so he became a forest worker. His fastest 50’ footlock time is 21 seconds. He enjoys sports, skiing, on/off road motorcycles, and tree climbing. Teru Nobu and his wife, Satoko, have a two-month-old child.

Another ITCC first-timer is Richard Denbeau from Clay City, Kentucky, US. He has been climbing for seven years and says his fastest 50’ footlock is 20 seconds. Denbeau has worked as a climber in Cleveland, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and currently in Louisville, Kentucky as a Climber Foreman with Limbwalker Tree Service. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, a Certified Tree Safety Specialist, and has worked with North American Training Solutions. Denbeau has a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School. As a volunteer with the Kentucky Chapter, he has been a judge and technician for local tree climbing competitions. Riding bikes, listening to music, reading books, and climbing trees are on the list of Denbeau’s hobbies.

No new-comer to international competition, Robert Gallant from Lanexa, Virginia, US is returning for his eighth ITCC. He has been climbing for 22 years, and his fastest recorded footlock is 18 seconds. He has been the owner of Gallantree for the past eight years and has experience as a safety and training foreman. Gallant earned an Associate’s Degree in Theology and is actively involved with his church. He also served as a special advisor for the Midwestern Chapter TCC. Gallant has been married to his wife Linda for 21 years and they have six children, Robert 17; Katherine, 13; Alex, 11; Andrew, 10; Elizabeth, 8; and Victoria, 5. His hobbies include sports, musical theatre, and spending time with his wife and children.

Jeff Evans of Springfield, Missouri, US has been climbing for 11 years and returns for his third international competition. His fastest 50’ footlock time is 22.8 seconds. Evans works as climber and crew leader with Ryan Lawn & Tree. He has been married to Patty for nine years, and they have two children, Nakayla, 11; and Patrick, 7. Besides taking vacations with the family, Evans enjoys fishing, hunting, and recreational tree climbing.

Competing in his first ITCC is Eric Raven. He is the owner/operator of Renaissance Tree Care in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US. Raven has been climbing for six years and has a fastest footlock time of 20 seconds. Though Raven now works in urban tree care, he is a fourth generation lumberjack, with over 10 years of logging experience. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and Certified Tree Worker/Climber Specialist and has worked as a tree climbing instructor. Raven and his wife, Tina, have two children, Serena, 7; and Ari, 6. He enjoys bicycling, hiking, and recreational tree climbing.

From Middlebury, Connecticut, US is Daniel Weise, competing in his second international competition. He has owned Weise Choice Tree Services, LLC for 2 1/2 years. Weise has been climbing for 11 years and is a Connecticut State Licensed Arborist. His fastest 50’ footlock time is 19.8 seconds. Engaged to marry Brooke Whiteley in October of this year, Weise enjoys camping, fishing, rock climbing, moped riding, and promoting and developing his business.

ITCC veteran and ISA Certified Arborist Mark Chisholm of Freehold, New Jersey, US, returns for his 19th international competition. He has been climbing for 26 years and currently holds the ITCC world record for the fastest 50’ footlock with a time of 13.8 seconds. Chisholm is co-owner and director of field operations for Aspen Tree Expert Company and volunteers as a NJAISA trustee. His hobbies include spending time with family, surfing Treebuzz.com, and playing hockey. Chisholm and his wife, Annie, have been married 13 years and have three children; Ricky, Lexi, and Libby.

Returning for his third international competition is Brian Krawczyk from Rochester, New York, US. Krawczyk has been climbing for seven years and his fastest recorded footlock time is 18 seconds. This ISA Certified Arborist works as a foreman for Birchcrest Tree and Landscape and has a Bachelors Degree from Mercyhurst College. Krawczyk has been married to Colleen for six years and enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, camping, and tree climbing.

Scott Forrest is competing in his second ITCC. He is a self-employed contract tree climbing arborist in Matamata, New Zealand. Forrest has been climbing for 11 years, and his fastest 50’ footlock time is 17 seconds. He is a Level 4 arborist, has his European Tree Worker Certificate, and is New Zealand Certified in Arboriculture. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, kayaking, cycling, camping, shooting stuff, climbing trees, and music.

From Droebak, Norway is Eivind Birkeland, competing in his first international competition. Birkeland has been climbing for five years and records a 50’ footlock time of 25 seconds. He worked five years as a climbing arborist for the municipality of Oslo and now works as a forest manager of the municipal forest. Birkeland and his partner, Ida, have one child, Mari, 2. He enjoys fishing, biking, and spending time with the family.

With two years of climbing experience, Brian Griffith is competing in his first ITCC. He records his fastest 50’ footlock time is 17.91 seconds. Griffith is currently employed by Madison Tree Care & Landscaping, Inc. in Milford, Ohio, US. His hobbies include kayaking and golfing.

John Ransom from St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada is competing in his seventh international competition. He has been climbing for 13 years, and his fastest 50’ footlock is 17.4 seconds. With an education in forestry and urban forestry, Ransom is employed as a trainer with Arboriculture Canada Training & Education. He volunteers with the Ontario Chapter of ISA as a member of the membership committee and the Board of Directors, as well as assisting with strategic planning for the ITCC. Ransom has been married to Yvonne for 5 years, and they have two children, Payton, 3 ½; and Ethan, 1 ½. When he finds spare time, he enjoys wood turning.

A first-timer to the ITCC, Scott Nyuli of British Columbia, Canada, enters the competition after 10 years of climbing and a fastest recorded footlock time of 20 seconds. He has traveled and worked all over Canada, as well as in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom. Nyuli is an ISA Certified Arborist who is currently employed as a farmer. His hobbies include carving, travelling, and growing food.

Ryan Kruljac of Cheswick, Pennsylvania, US, is another first-timer to the international competition. He is an ISA Certified Arborist who is employed as a Production Arborist with Arborel Tree Service, Inc. Kruljac has been climbing for six years and records a fastest 50’ footlock of 27 seconds. Besides competing, he has also volunteered helping with local tree climbing championships. He enjoys bicycles, motorcycles, and having fun.

Climbing in his second international competition is Ken Moore from Olds, Alberta, Canada. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and has been climbing and competing for 11 years and records his fastest 50’ footlock at 19.5 seconds. Moore works as an arborist at For Trees Co. Ltd. and as an instructional assistant at Olds College. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from Princeton University and a Horticulture diploma with an Arboriculture Major from Olds College. Moore enjoys triathlons, and he and his wife, Kim, have one child, four-year-old Brady.

Making his fifth appearance at the ITCC is Charley Wagner. This self-employed contract arborist from Lafayette, Colorado, US, has climbed and competed for 10 years. His fastest 50’ footlock is 15.5 seconds. Wagner volunteers with the Rocky Mountain Chapter providing training and education. He is married to Kit and enjoys windsurfing/kite boarding, wood working, skiing, and snowmobiling.

Joining the international competition for the first time this year is Cormac Nagan of Raleigh, North Carolina, US. He has been climbing for five years and competing for three with a recorded fastest 50’ footlock of 18 seconds. Nagan is the owner of Aerial Innovation Tree Care, and he has a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Forest Management from Western Illinois University. He has been married to his wife, Erica, for seven years and enjoys mountain biking in his spare time.

Climbing in his third ITCC is Johan Gustavsson from Jorlanda, Sweden. He has been climbing and competing for four years and has a fastest footlock time of 14.4 seconds. Gustavsson works as a tree climber, is a Certified European Tree Worker, has NPTC certifications, and is currently working on a Foundation degree in Arboriculture. Gustavsson enjoys motocross riding and wind surfing. He has been partnered with Lisa Olsson for six years.

Miguel Pastenes has been climbing for six years and is competing in his fourth international competition. His fastest recorded footlock time is 14.8 seconds. Pastenes works for Arborilogical Services, Inc. in Wylie, Texas, US as a crew foreman. In his free time, Miguel enjoys running and shopping.

Eleven years of climbing experience brings Stuart Witt of the United Kingdom to his third trip to the ITCC. His fastest 50’ footlock is 16.9 seconds. This ISA Certified Arborist is a partner in his family’s business and enjoys the places that his work takes him. Witt and his partner, Natalie Cantor, have two children, Archy and Blaze. His hobbies include rock climbing, skiing, walking the dogs, and hanging out with his friends.

David Mercado from Layton, Utah, US is making his first appearance at the ITCC. Mercado is an ISA Certified Arborist with 13 years of climbing experience. His fastest footlock time is 28 seconds. He says he enjoys every aspect of the industry and is growing in his knowledge of arboriculture. Mercado works for Diamond Tree Experts, Inc. in Salt Lake City, Utah as a crew foreman and is married to Jamie with two children, Joanna, 3; and Jaden, 1. He enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, camping, baseball, and enjoying nature.

Joe House from Madison, Wisconsin, US, is climbing in his third international competition. He has been climbing for 16 years and his fastest 50’ footlock is 16 seconds. House graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and works as head arborist for Stephenson Tree Care. House and his wife, Lori, have three children Alice, 7; Jacqueline, 5; Charles, 4. He is currently involved with a grant funded outdoor education project at Crestwood Elementary School called “No Child Left Inside.” House lists his hobbies as digging pits, gardening, and walking around without shoes.