Dallas-based Preservation Tree’s executive management team entered into an ownership transition agreement with its retiring owner and founder, Harold Spiegel, to acquire 100 percent of the company.

“Preservation Tree has been a major focus of my life for the past two decades,“ Spiegel said. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to create such a unique company with outstanding partners, employees and clients. I’ve personally picked and trained the entire management team, who are now in charge, and have absolute faith that they will continue the tradition of arborist-led solutions with the quality control that our clients have come to expect.”

A.J. Thibodeaux, recently named CEO of Preservation Tree, added, “Mr. Spiegel’s vision and passion for protecting and preserving our Urban Forest will be missed, but absolutely not forgotten. All of us at Preservation Tree Services are committed to Mr. Spiegel’s vision and will work diligently to insure Preservation Tree Services is here preserving, protecting, pruning and caring for your trees well into the future.”

The executive management team has 49 combined years of experience with the company. In addition to Thibodeaux, other members include CFO Pauline Perry, COO Andrew Spiegel and Billy Cook, chief arborist.

Aventine Hill Partners acted as adviser on the ownership transition and the structure of the transaction.