Meet Our Team

Andrew Koeser is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center near Tampa, Florida. His research focuses on trees and storms, reducing the impacts of construction on tree and root health, and increasing urban tree diversity. Andrew received his PhD in Biometry and Crop Science and his MS in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He holds a BS in Urban Forestry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Andrew Koeser is the current president of the Florida Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. He is a past recipient of the L.C. Chadwick Researcher Award, the R.J. Harris Author's Citation, the International Society of Arboriculture Early Career Scientist Award, and the Wells Fargo Extension Term Professorship. Andrew has four amazing daughters, a faithful basset hound, and an okay cat. He trains in martial arts, plays board games with his girlfriend and their friend group, and enjoys a good audiobook.

Richard Hauer is the Director of Urban Forestry at Eocene Environmental Group. He is a Professor Emeritus of Urban Forestry at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. He received his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, M.S. from the University of Illinois, and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Rich has conducted research in tree biology, urban forest management, emerald ash borer management, trees and construction, tree risk management, and ice storms. He was honored as the 2018 L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research and 2023 Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Education. He has over 200 publications and presented over 500 talks throughout the world. Dr. Hauer is also an Associate Editor of the Journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greenspaces.

Joe is a tech wizard by day and a party maestro by night, with a lens always ready to capture life's most precious moments.

In the technology field, Joe has 16+ years of experience as an IT support specialist, 5 years as a Network Administrator, and countless years as a web designer.

Joe was also a nightclub DJ for 17 years, orchestrating electrifying atmospheres that keep the dance floor alive till dawn breaks. From entertaining crowds to curating unforgettable events, Joe brought passion and energy to every mix.

When he's not behind the decks, troubleshooting tech issues, or designing websites, you can find him capturing life's most precious moments through his lens as a professional photographer. With over 15 years of experience in photography, he has an eye for detail and a passion for creating stunning visuals that tell compelling stories.

Currently, Joe brings a diverse skill set to the table at a martial arts and gaming store where he blends his love for technology with his vast knowledge of other skills as the retail and gaming manager. Additionally, his role at UF's Urban Tree and Landscape Management Lab allows him to immerse himself in nature while tackling various tasks with efficiency and enthusiasm.

Joe is not just another IT guy or DJ – He's a multifaceted professional who thrives on challenges and embraces creativity in all its forms. Let's connect and bring some magic into your world!

Alyssa Vinson is an avid lover of all things outdoors, spending her time in gardens, on trails and in the water. She has been an environmental science communicator for the past 15 years working in Alaska, Oregon and now Florida. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Florida in Ecological Restoration and is a certified arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture. She has many passions including; all things arboriculture, fungi, ethnobotany, mangroves and social systems. She is an avid reader and enjoys exploring natural areas with her family. Her current role as Residential Horticulture Agent at the UF/IFAS Extension in Manatee County allows her to work with the Master Gardener Volunteer program, the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program, and the Florida Master Naturalist Program. With an emphasis on resilient and sustainable landscape practices and urban forestry, her work spans ecology, horticulture, and volunteer and community development to deliver research-based education to the communities of southwest Florida. During her PhD journey she is interested in studying the social and ecological systems of our dynamic urban forests. Specifically, how HOA management, policy implementation, personal preference, etc. impact tree species selection, planting methods and ultimately tree survivability.