Robert L. Crudup
President
Valley Crest Tree Company

Robert Crudup joined Valley Crest Tree Company in 1979 as a sales and customer service representative. Over the course of his career, he contributed to the strategic growth of Tree Company through various leadership positions in business development, operations, management and, eventually, as an officer of the company. As senior vice president, Robert represented the division on a team that created the overall strategic plan for ValleyCrest Companies.

Robert's achievements are many. As a company executive, he opened new markets and operations in Sunol and Farmington in Northern California, and developed the company's growing grounds in Fillmore, California. Today Robert oversees the company's growing grounds and tree nurseries, its specimen tree moving operation and Garden Art International, its garden décor and pottery group.

As a nursery industry leader, Robert's career trajectory with Valley Crest Tree Company parallels his significant accomplishments as an industry steward. His industry commitments include serving on the boards of the California Landscape Contractors Association, the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers, the Governor's Advisory Task Force for Pierce's Disease (in cooperation with the California Department of Food & Agriculture), and the Nursery Growers Association. In addition, he has been recognized with numerous awards saluting his contributions to professional horticulture. As president of one of the nation's leading tree nurseries and tree moving operations, Robert takes an active role as a spokesperson for legislative and regulatory issues regarding trees and their role in the sustainable urban landscape.

Robert graduated from the University of Rhode Island with B.S. in Resource Management. He is based out of Valley Crest Tree Company's corporate office in Calabasas, California where he oversees a tree nursery operation that includes more than 800-acres in production throughout California. The company's growing facilities include 400-acres in Fillmore, 70-acres in Sunol and 300-acres in Farmington.