Not your average tree company
in Central Texas
Meet Dusty, our team, and why we love our job & community.
Meet Dusty!
The main man behind
the chainsaw & strategy
Dynamo Dusty’s is more than just a tree service; we are a veteran-owned company committed to a mission. Our story begins not with a chainsaw, but with a highly-disciplined background that infuses every cut we make with precision and purpose.
Our founder, Dusty Don Drake, grew up in the woods of Pennsylvania, with his father serving as a senior state forest fire warden. This early love for nature was paired with a drive for excellence, leading him to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following five years in the Army Field Artillery , Dusty transitioned into the corporate world, climbing to C-Suite roles, including CFO positions in oil and gas and alternative energy.
He successfully turned around failing companies and managed complex financial deals. However, this success often came with a feeling of "postpartum deal depression", a gnawing sense that lasting meaning wasn't found in the corporate ladder.
Trusted by Central Texas
The Dynamo Dusty's commitment to delivering premium-quality work and outstanding value is consistently recognized:
Voted Best of Dripping Springs 2025
Featured on the Hill Country Business Podcast (January 2025) to share our story of change, purpose, and community impact.
The Mission: Mentoring the Next Generation
The moment Dusty realized tree work was the perfect environment for mentorship, the company’s purpose became clear: to serve the community while training and supporting young men.
Physical Labor as Healing: The hard, physical labor, running chainsaws and heavy equipment, is an intentional part of our model. It helps the crew work out frustration and build self-confidence. We believe men are "wired for these initiations", and the work provides a place to be seen, accepted, and bonded over shared, difficult challenges.
Building Leaders: Dusty shares business transparency, reviewing financials and job economics with his team so they learn how to run a business. We hire veterans and other young men, paying them above-market wages to ensure they know they are valued and can build fulfilling careers.
Meet the Team: The People Behind the Precision
Dusty's core team includes hardworking, trusted family friends, many of whom are veterans themselves. Our crews are fast, efficient, animal-friendly, and easy to talk to. We work collaboratively, meaning our team's input on safety and execution is always valued.
"These young men grow skills with a mentor they can look up to who truly sees them and meets them where they are.” -Dusty
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Dusty
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