Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

David Benjamin: Counting His Blessings

By Matt Solis, Editor

David Benjamin didn’t have any tree care experience when he entered the industry in 1989, but it wasn’t long before he discovered a natural aptitude for the trade. “Someone told me that a local tree company was hiring, so I inquired about the job,” he remembers. “They said all I needed was a license, so after I got one, I started working on the ground and they trained me on everything else.”

David spent two decades developing his tree care skills and even branched out into landscaping for a while, but eventually, he decided it was time to try his hand at business ownership and established A Blessing Tree Service. “My wife and I agreed that since our kids were grown, it made sense to go full-time with tree work,” he explains. “I never had problems getting jobs because I always worked hard and did my best, so it was a smooth transition.”

Originally from Richmond, David currently resides in Vallejo with his wife of 32 years, Tracy, who owns a local hair salon. He says his favorite part about the North Bay is the measured pace of life, which he attributes to its centralized location. “Vallejo is kind of in the middle of Sacramento and San Francisco, so it feels more people-friendly. It’s way different than Richmond, but my wife is from here and all my kids grew up here, so I fell in love with it.”

An avid angler, David spends much of his free time fishing at local spots like San Pablo Bay, Lake Berryessa and Clear Lake, although he occasionally heads to places like Oregon and Hawaii for weeklong excursions as well. When he’s not casting lines, he enjoys volunteering at his church (where he teaches Bible study and mentors others), catching up with his four adult children and spending quality time with his five grandchildren. “I recently stopped working on Saturdays, so my wife and I usually take the grandkids somewhere fun like the zoo,” he says. “We’re always busy doing something!”

In terms of a personal or professional philosophy, David believes in treating others with respect and striving to make a positive impact. “You reap what you sow in this life,” he affirms. “When you’re doing good things, you don’t have to worry, but when you’re doing bad things, you always have to look over your shoulder.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he could retire tomorrow, David says he would head south of the equator for a long overdue trip. “First, I would thank God for allowing me to reach retirement, and then I would start planning a fishing trip to Sydney, Australia, where my best friend lives. I was actually supposed to go this year but I couldn’t because of Covid, so I’m planning on going next year for my birthday.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: Africa. I would take my kids and grandkids so we could all have that experience.

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant?

A: Red Lobster. I love their shrimp alfredo.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

A: We usually work in the rain, but if I’m off, I like relaxing and watching TV.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?

A: An early bird. 

Q: If you could talk to anyone living or dead, who would it be?

A: My grandma. She was my hero and she really inspired me.