Meet The Team

  • Smiling arborist wearing safety gear in forest

    Casey Elmer

    With over a decade of hands-on experience in the tree care industry, Casey has built a thriving tree service business from the ground up. A 2014 graduate of the University of Maine with a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry and Forest Operations Sciences, he began his career as a log buyer, procuring hardwood timber for a major mill. But his passion for trees and business soon led him to launch his own tree service, where he mastered not only the technical skills of tree care but also the strategies needed to run a successful operation.

    As a certified arborist in the State of Maine, Casey combines scientific expertise with real-world experience to help his clients achieve their vision for they’re property and trees.

    Casey also shares his expertise in educational content on tree cutting, felling techniques, and tree service operation and has amassed nearly 100 million views online, making him one of the most influential voices in the industry.

  • A man with a beard wearing a green shirt takes a selfie outdoors. Behind him is a small white house with a blue door and windows, surrounded by trees and a green lawn. A black truck is parked near the house.

    Taylor Elmer

    With a decade of hands-on experience running a successful tree service business, Taylor understands what it takes to grow and scale in the competitive tree care industry. As co-founder of Top Branch Tree Service in 2015, alongside with brother Casey, he’s been in the trenches, tackling the daily challenges that come with running a successful tree care company. From mastering heavy equipment operation to streamlining business operations, he knows the ins and outs of every function of the company and is a pivotal part of what makes Top Branch tick.

    Taylor is also a licensed arborist in the State of Maine, using his scientific expertise with real-world experience to help guide his clients to achieve an amazing property with healthy trees as a foundation.

    But his expertise doesn’t stop in the field—he’s also a digital marketing powerhouse. With seven years of experience in website development and SEO, he has helped numerous service-based businesses, including carpentry, restaurants, outdoor brands, landscaping, and tree services, build a strong online presence and attract more customers. As the driving force behind the online success of Top Branch, Taylor has perfected the art of social media marketing and content creation.

    His impact speaks for itself—over 150 million views on the content he has personally created, along with a massive influence on countless online creators in the industry. He knows how to leverage digital platforms to grow brand awareness, generate leads, and position businesses for long-term success.

  • Smiling man in green t-shirt standing by an open car door outdoors.

    Rion Elmer

    Rion is a driving force behind the efficiency and success of Top Branch Tree Service. His journey began in sales and logistics with Baker Distributors, where he mastered product coordination, shipment logistics, inventory management, and display design in the wine industry—building a strong foundation in customer service, efficiency, and logistics.

    Rion then shifted into custom home building, spending four years developing his skills in construction, project management, and craftsmanship. His expertise expanded further with eight years in service contracting, where he played a key role in massive projects, for Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth College, and local municipalities, such as road building, city infrastructure improvements, crew management, and large-scale construction projects. This experience gave him a deep understanding of forging relationships, heavy equipment operations, project logistics, and each skill required to bring a project from conception to reality.

    In 2015, Rion became a full-time partner in Top Branch Tree Service, bringing his extensive experience to the team. He is responsible for overseeing fleet management, coordinating transportation, and ensuring seamless on-site operations, making sure every project runs smoothly, safely, and on schedule.

    With his strong background in construction, logistics, and leadership, Rion is an essential part of Top Branch’s success. His ability to manage resources, his strong work ethic, and extensive experience, ensures that clients receive the best possible professional tree care every time.

  • Man wearing a green shirt and a black "Mountain Deer" cap outdoors.

    Tracy Chaplin

    With a dynamic career spanning multiple industries, Tracy brings a wealth of experience in leadership, business strategy, and operations management to the tree care industry. A graduate of Maine Maritime Academy as a deck officer, he first honed his skills in discipline and logistics before pivoting to education, where he spent three years as a public school teacher. His passion for teaching later led him to become a national-level instructor for the YMCA of America, developing training programs that impacted communities nationwide.

    Tracy’s career took an exciting turn when he became the producer of MTV’s legendary reality show The Real Worldfor 16 years, where he managed seven-figure budgets and coordinated multiple production crews across the country. Following his success in television, he spent eight years in advertising, working with major brands like Honda, Serta, Lazy-Boy, QuickBooks, Little League World Series, US Kids Golf, and Car and Driver Magazine, mastering the art of marketing, branding, and business growth.

    A lifelong learner with a deep passion for nature, Tracy became a certified Master Gardener through the University of Maine and spent seven years in landscape design and the tree care industry. Now, continues to employ his skills, business expertise, and wide experience to bring Top Branch to the Top of the Industry.

  • Man with green shirt and dark hair smiling with trees and forest behind him.

    Steven St. Ours

    With a passion for hard work and a deep commitment to his community, Steven brings a unique blend of business expertise, hands-on experience, and public service to Top Branch. While attending St. Joseph’s College, he successfully owned and operated a thriving landscaping company for 10 years, mastering the art of outdoor property care and business management.

    In 2018, he graduated with a degree in Business Management, further strengthening his ability to run and grow successful service-based businesses. Steven’s dedication to helping others extends beyond landscaping—he has spent the last three years as a full-time EMT and Firefighter with the Saco Fire Department, serving and protecting his community with the same dedication he brings to his work in tree care and landscaping.

    In 2023, Steven and his cousin Jack joined forces with Top Branch, blending their landscaping expertise with the elite tree care team at Top Branch. Together, they offer comprehensive outdoor solutions, ensuring clients receive the highest quality service for both tree care and landscape management. With a strong work ethic, extensive experience, and a passion for excellence, Steven is committed to delivering top-tier service and does so with an infectiously great attitude.

  • Smiling woman with short dark hair wearing a blue shirt, standing in front of green plants.

    Jack St. Ours

    With a diverse background in mechanics, operations, and leadership, Jack brings a strong technical foundation and management expertise to Top Branch Tree Service. His career began in the automotive industry, where he became an ASE Certified Auto Technician and spent two years mastering vehicle mechanics, maintenance, and repairs—skills that now translate seamlessly into equipment operation and fleet management in the tree care industry.

    Jack then transitioned into operations management, spending four years as a lead at Cintas Corp, a global leader in industrial laundry and linen supply. There, he honed his ability to oversee production, manage employees, and optimize efficiency in a fast-paced, high-demand environment. This experience gave him a strong foundation in team leadership, logistics, and workflow management.

    Jack later teamed up with his cousin Steven to co-run a successful landscaping company for three years, gaining invaluable experience in outdoor property care, customer service, and business operations. In 2023, he joined Top Branch Tree Service, bringing his technical skills, production experience, and hands-on landscaping knowledge to the expert tree care team.

    Now, as a key member of Top Branch, Jack is dedicated to delivering safe, efficient, and top-quality tree services while ensuring smooth operations behind the scenes. With his mechanical expertise, management background, and passion for precision, Jack plays a crucial role in keeping Top Branch at the top of the industry.

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