Bryan Ochs

As the Managing Partner and Member of both Apex Family Tree Service LLC and Apex Family Tree, established in March and May 2021, respectively, in North Carolina, I am committed to driving safety, innovation, and excellence in our respective fields of arboriculture, urban forestry, and arborpreneurship. In February 2025, I founded ARBnormal LLC, partly to test out a few theories I’ve had since getting into business, but mostly to build out a decentralized ITSM and cybersecurity firm specializing in decentralized infrastructure risk management systems for small businesses and freelancers. Our mission is to empower individuals and organizations to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape and achieve their goals. Being that forestry is historically the most dangerous industry globally and cybercrime is the fastest growing crime around the world too means we have a unique opportunity to bridge gaps between interdependent life and enterprise systems simply, efficiently, and effectively; thus, elevating safety standards across entire sectors and enabling everyone to manage their safety, systems, risk, threats, opportunities, and operations quickly and successfully. Currently, we are actively seeking grants and funding mechanisms that support research and innovation in cybersecurity, safe AI integrations, blockchain technology, and infrastructure development. Our objective is to create a more diverse, robust, and sustainable workforce. In an era of rapid technological advancement, it is crucial to invest in the present to secure a prosperous future. We believe that by applying our personal, familial, social, financial, and environmental triple bottom lines to everyday life, we can contribute to positive change and create a more equitable society. To address the challenges of data integrity and authenticity in the digital realm, we must establish clear guidelines and mechanisms for verifying information. Additionally, it is essential to identify and combat instances of greed, power, corruption, and lack of integrity within the ownership structures of digital assets. As we embrace the new digital revolution, it is imperative to position ourselves as partners in shaping a transformative ecosystem that reshapes the world as we know it. In a world characterized by both brilliance and challenges, it is crucial to prioritize happiness and strive for a fulfilling life. If opportunities have not yet presented themselves, it is our responsibility to proactively create them. Within the span of one lifetime, we must ensure that our actions align with our aspirations and leave a lasting legacy.