Our Team

Dean Meyer

Diploma in Arboriculture – Melbourne Polytechnic.

Certificate IV Horticulture (Arboriculture) Melbourne University.

Dean has been in the tree industry for over 20 years. After being heavily involved in the family owned and run business Dean moved on to providing contract tree climbing services to numerous companies around Melbourne and Victoria as well as tree consultancy and arborist reports.

After successfully completing his certificate IV in Horticulture (Arboriculture) at Melbourne University’s Burnley campus Dean moved overseas to begin a four-year stint working as a climbing arborist for a number of companies and countries in Europe. Working with some of the leading climbing arborists in the world Dean continued to learn and improve his skills and knowledge.

His roles abroad included running the prestigious Royal Parks contract in London, working in such places as, St James’s Park, Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square, and Pall Mall, even carrying out tree removal tasks in the Princess Diana memorial fountain in London’s famous Hyde Park.

Dean spent one year in Norway running tree crews near Oslo, and one cold winter in Vienna Austria where temperatures dropped to below -15 degrees not ideal tree climbing conditions. Dean was also very lucky to be involved in a large tree care project in Hamburg, Germany where a 400-year-old Jewish cemetery was being prepared to become a United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage site.

Whilst abroad Dean successfully completed his European Tree Worker Exam and became an ISA certified arborist (International Society of Arboriculture).

After heading home in late 2010 Dean embarked on his next challenge, which was Tree FX.

Dean loves trees and the challenges that come with working in them, but even more than that he loves working with other arborists and enjoys working in a team environment. Trees, travelling and people is what he thinks makes arboriculture such a fantastic and exciting industry. Dean has trouble choosing a favourite tree but does particularly like the Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box) and Fagus sylvatica Purpurea (Copper Beech).

Liliana Meyer

Liliana left school in 1992 and went on to gain her chefs apprenticeship; she worked at Lilydale Private Hospital and ran the kitchen. She managed as many as ten staff and became quickly proficient at not only various culinary skills, but people and time management.

After 5 years being a chef Lil wanted a new challenge and took a position as an account manager at Amcor Fibre Packaging where she grew to love and excel at providing great customer service.
In 2007 Liliana and Dean set out on a European adventure that took them both on a 4 year trip around the continent. Working in several jobs including bar managing, painting and decorating and as a recruitment agent, Lil did it whatever it took to support her dream to travel.

In Norway Liliana worked in the landscaping division of two separate companies and assisted with landscape construction of a discontinued Oslo airport, turning the area into a pristine park and wetland reserve.

Liliana was never scared to get her hands dirty, in Hamburg she learnt to become a grounds person, quickly gaining the skills necessary to assist with the climbing arborists as they worked to prepare a 400 year old Jewish cemetery as it was to become a UNESCO world heritage site. Often in pouring rain and ankle-deep mud Lil battled through the elements gaining the respect and admiration of all of those around her.

Lil has a great passion for providing a consistently high level of customer satisfaction and goes above and beyond to achieve it. She believes the key to a successful business starts and ends with a happy customer, “Service with a smile is her motto.” She assists Tree FX in numerous roles including, admin and marketing.
Lil loves all trees and all of nature she gives new meaning to term “tree hugger” and she loves spending time on her big tree swing in the back yard.

Russell Shepherd

Qualifications

• • Diploma Horticulture (Arboriculture)
  • Diploma Vocational Education & Training
  • Certificate IV Training and assessment

Membership

• International Society Of Arboriculture Member
• Arboriculture Australia Member
• Victorian Tree Industry Organisation (VTIO) Committee Member

Russell brings with him over 20 years in the industry covering all aspects of tree care. He is a diploma qualified arborist and is passionate about all things trees. His knowledge extends from teaching aboriculture at the TAFE level, his vast climbing background and industry experience. He is also Vice President of the Victorian Tree industry Organisation (VTIO). His motto is to ‘promote longevity among trees’ and we also have a strong focus on plant health.

Russell has always loved the outdoors and working outside was an extension of that. Climbing trees and delivering the best outcomes for his clients has always been a fulfilling part of his career. An extension to this was where he found mentoring staff and his time teaching at TAFE very rewarding.

Josh McLeod

Certificate III in Arboriculture

Josh started in the industry working for a specialist crew predominately working on large trees in the Dandenong Ranges, as well as in some spectacular private gardens. He made the jump to a company with council contracts in parks and street tree management.
Before starting with Tree FX, he had the privilege of working on the horticulture and arboriculture crews at Springvale Botanic Cemetery, learning a lot about specialised tree care in historic and unique gardens.

As trees are the largest and longest living organisms in the world and are an integral part of our environment, he believes working with trees in the urban landscape offers a unique and fulfilling challenge. His job as an arborist is to promote and maintain healthy populations of trees that benefit people as much as the environment, providing people with a sense of security and personal connection with one of our most vital natural resources.

Josh doesn’t have just one favourite tree, his favourites include Giant Sequoia, Silver Princess Gum, and any kind of Maple.

Kim Foreman

Kim brings a wealth of experience having worked for her previous employer within the electrical and engineering industry for over 23 years!

She held many different roles within the Marketing Department. Her most recent role was predominately working as an Executive Assistant and organising and running large international and local corporate events.

Kim brings with her extensive experience in customer service, project management, administration, and time management.

Kim’s favourite tree is Corymbia citriodora, commonly known as lemon-scented gum.

Megan Whitworth

Megan is our newest member to the office staff, starting in May 2022.  Bringing with her over 30 years of experience in all avenues of administration.

With a background in Retail, Corporate, Medical administration as well as working at the spring carnival for 20 years.

With her most recent experience working at a wholesale tree grower, she has learnt the Latin name for many deciduous trees.

Megan loves spending time out in nature, from camping to 4wd and she is always up for any adventure.

She has more than one favourite tree: Acer Palmatum Sango kaku/Acer Rubrum/Cercis canadensis/Cornus/Lagerstromia/Laburnum/Magnolia, and any Prunus Serrulata.

Caryn Williams

Caryn returned from maternity leave in March 2021 to support the busy Tree FX Office in a part-time capacity, having previously held the Office Manager position Tree FX.

For many years Caryn project managed large scale corporate events nationally, so she has extensive experience in customer service, administration, scheduling, problem solving and multitasking – meaning that she was well-equipped to manage the Tree FX office.

In her current role she looks she is responsible for  Accounts Payable/Receivable, Account Manager for our valued school clients, and assists with administration. She is also the Administration and Accounts Manager for our sister company Evergreen Tree Consulting.

She enjoys being able to contribute to the important work undertaken by the Tree FX and Evergreen teams and supporting them to be their best and to continue to exceed our customers’ expectations.

Caryn’s favourite tree is Corymbia aparrerinja (Ghost gum).

Kenny Beecroft

Our newest crew leader, currently undertaking his Diploma in Arboriculture.

Qualified Certificate III in Arboriculture.

Kenny joined Tree FX team in July 2024.

Kenny believes trees are amazing – they greatly enhance their surroundings and are a joy to work with.

His favourite tree is Eucalyptus sideroxylon (Iron Bark).

James Hippisley

Qualified Certificate III in Arboriculture.

James joined Tree FX in December 2021, coming from a background of various manual jobs.

With his quiet nature and can-do attitude he quickly became a valued team member.

He likes the fact that it’s not your average 9-5 job. Everyday presents new challenges, and every tree is different.

His favourite Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Redbox).

Lucas Fischer

Currently undertaking Certificate III in Arboriculture.

Lucas joined Tree FX in December 2023, looking for a change in career, with a range of experience in different industries.

He is an enthusiastic team member who is always keen to learn new things and have a laugh.

He enjoys working outdoors, and is passionate climber.

Lucas’s favourite tree is Corymbia maculata commonly known as a Spotted Gum .

Sebastian Venegas

Sebastian joined the TreeFX team in April 2024.

Seb has over 12 months experience in the tree industry and has worked for a couple of other companies. Luckily for Tree FX we were his favourite!

He also brings with him some experience in landscaping and pool renovations having helped out his cousin’s with their business.

Seb has always been interested in tree work since he was a kid, when he saw a job going as a groundie he thought he’d give it a shot. Since that first day he’s been hooked on tree work.

His favourite trees are all Eucalyptus species.

Dale Saultry

Dale joined the TreeFX team in August 2024.

Dale is new to this industry and eager to learn all he can about becoming a climbing arborist.

Having previously owned property he found he enjoyed working outdoors with chainsaws and splitting wood, from there he fell in love with the idea of becoming an arborist.

His favourite trees are the biggest he can find.