About Grade-A
Servicing Kansas City’s tree community since 1990
Our History
We are a full-service care company dedicated to its clients and their trees. All our work is done by a crew of professionally trained grounds men and climbers. Every job is supervised by a responsible and experienced Foreman to ensure safety and reliability. We are licensed and fully insured including workman’s compensation insurance. With over 30 years of experience you can rest assured we have the knowledge and capability to handle all of your tree care needs.
Grade-A Tree Care is a member of the T.C.I.A.™ Voice of Tree Care. We pride ourselves in being reasonably priced and offering the highest quality of services, both Commercial Services and Residential Services.
What Sets Us Apart
Locally-Owned Small Business
We are proud to be a successful Kansas City Small Business for over 25 years. As our town has grown, so have we.
Safety
PROVIDING SAFE TREE SERVICES IN KANSAS CITY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY
• Daily equipment inspections are conducted by crew supervisors to ensure all safety equipment is up to OSHA and ANSI standards
• Certified Line Clearance arborists
• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist
• Additional International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists on staff
Culture
We care about our staff and strive to help each person be the best that they can be. We provide opportunities for training and continuing education during the winter months.
Our Philosophy
As a local small business there is no time for redundancy and no leeway for waste.We’ve built a strong business on precies planning and a growing knowledge base of experienced arborists. Learn more about our team and the way we conduct business.
Customer Satisfaction
We are committed to ensuring 100% customer satisfaction.
Our Team
Johnny Trueblood
Owner
Johnny became the owner of Grade-A Tree Care in December of 2023. Previously, Johnny worked in College Athletics coaching basketball at the University of South Dakota and the University of Hawai’i.
As a new Kansas City resident, Johnny is looking forward to continuing to make Grade-A Tree Care a household name in the tree servicing industry. He strives to continue to build the value of the Grade-A Tree Care name with customer relations, culture of the company, and quality of work.
In his free time, Johnny enjoys golfing, going to the gym, spending time with family and friends, and attending sporting events and concerts.
Phil Giordano
Consultant
As a Kansas City native, Felici (Phil) began his tree service career in 1980. Working with various companies throughout the years it was in 1996, a brutal snowstorm, from thereon known as “The October Surprise,” struck Kansas City, necessitating a large volume of line-clearance tree trimming.
Although he had worked in the field for the previous decade and a half, having started at KCPL and becoming president and lead negotiator for the IBEW union, he knew this storm required an unusual level of commitment, responsiveness, and dedication. The following months spent clearing out the area of fallen trees eventually led to the creation of his current company, Grade A Tree.
Jesse Swena
General Manager
Jesse joined Grade-A Tree Care in 2015 as a member of the crew. In his 15 years+ in the tree care business, Jesse has successfully held every industry position from grounds crewman to climber to crew manager to general manager. His knowledge of trees and tree health is impressive.
Jesse represents Grade-A Tree Care as a member of the South Kansas City and Grandview Chambers and volunteers regularly for events such as the South KC Block Party. He is also an Associate member of the Prospector’s Club.
Jesse enjoys spending personal time outdoors with his wife and 3 children, especially on the lake in their pontoon. An avid hunter, Jesse is also a mega Kansas City Chiefs fan and a member of the Cornhole League.
Kim Curtis
Office Manager
Kim joined Grade-A Tree Care in May 2023. Previously, she served as President of the Grandview Chamber of Commerce representing area businesses interests for 20+ years.
Clients who work with Kim appreciate her warm demeanor and her assistance in setting up their tree projects. Kim also represents Grade-A Tree on the boards of Grandview Assistance Program, Grandview Education Foundation, and Heartland Business Capital.
In her free time, Kim can be found hanging out with family and friends (especially her 2 grandchildren) as well as reading, decorating, and thrifting.
Certifications & Awards
A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau
Member of the TCIA
Good Corporate Citizenship
Award Recipient 2018
Prospector of the Year Award 2014
Community IMPACT Award 2018 and 2019
Leadership role in the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
