[Breaking News] Mannes Steps Down as PPMA Executive Director

The National Pest Management Association announced in late June that Cindy Mannes stepped down from her role as executive director for the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) to join Arrow Exterminators, Atlanta, as its chief marketing and strategy officer. Mannes was named executive director of PPMA in 2001 following a successful career on the supplier side of the business, helping to build PPMA into a powerful industry voice and growing the market for professional pest management services.

Mannes said she is leaving her position at PPMA with mixed emotions. “I’m sure it’s a bit of a shock for some people, but from a professional development standpoint I felt it was time for me to consider other opportunities and PPMA is in a good place right now,” she said. “The newly created position with Arrow I believe will provide me with the professional growth I was looking for at this time in my career.”

Mannes said she leaves PPMA in good hands with a talented group of industry professionals leading the organization. “I love this industry and have had the opportunity over the last seven years to help build and shape our consumer outreach program and messaging through the Alliance. During that time, I have assembled a dedicated team of communications professionals that every day embody the passion, excitement and drive to grow this industry that PPMA needs,” she said. “With the current PPMA leadership team offering 12-plus years of combined experience, we have a strong machine in place to continue to promote the positive image of our industry. I have every confidence that PPMA will continue to be as successful as it has in years past.”

Following the announcement, PPMA Chairman Tom Fortson sent an e-mail to PPMA Guardians and Contributors stating that during Mannes’ “seven years of exemplary service, we have seen PPMA grow and develop into the communications powerhouse it is today. As we discussed at last week’s board meeting (at NPMA Leadership Week in New Orleans), the PPMA program can be compared to a four-legged stool — standing strong on its four pillars of media relations, radio advertising, public service announcements and interactive communications. Moving forward, these legs will remain in place under the experienced hands of Maribeth Schmidt, Jessica Phelan, Patty Rowe and Meg Kane (all of FCF Schmidt Public Relations) with the ongoing guidance of our PPMA board of directors. Our vision of our industry will continue to be vigorously and aggressively promoted and defended as we move forward.”

Univar’s John Bolanos, commenting on Mannes’ departure, said, “Cindy’s contribution to the growth and success of PPMA cannot be overstated. When she took over in 2001, the organization was without direction, had an inconsistent message and was losing support from key stakeholders. Today PPMA has an engaged and impressive board of directors, a solid communications plan and a sustainable strategy for building a positive message for our industry. She represents professionalism and competence and is gifted at bringing a collaborative spirit to the organization. Cindy is also a wonderful person to work with and will be missed.”

Orkin President and COO Glen Rollins, a member of the PPMA board of directors, said, “Cindy’s body of work is impressive and we at Rollins are grateful for that legacy. She’s helped grow the industry and leaves the PPMA with a strong brand in the press, good momentum, insightful research, able and enthusiastic partners in FCF Schmidt and stable funding. We wish her well.”

Added Dave Morris of Dow AgroSciences, “Cindy has been a great contributor to the industry. She has led the PPMA effort to improve the industry’s image, which has contributed to substantial growth in all service segments. Her leadership and passion for the PPMA’s work has kept us all focused on the goal we aspired to at the beginning of the journey.”

Former NPMA President Judy Dold added, “Cindy Mannes brought such a high level of integrity, energy and leadership to the PPMA Board. She will be greatly missed but leaves us with PPMA at a wonderful place. It is up to all of us to contribute in whatever way we can to insure the continuing success of this most valued program.”

“Cindy has provided great leadership to the PPMA since she took the position,” added Andy Symons, president of Whitmire Micro-Gen Research Laboratories. “She combines strong basic business disciplines with outstanding people skills. This combination of attributes has allowed her to fulfill her personal objectives and has contributed enormously to the success of PPMA over the last few years.”

Victor Hammel, PPMA vice chairman of fundraising, observed, “Cindy’s passion for the pest control industry along with her creativity and leadership made PPMA one of the NPMA’s most successful ventures. PPMA has helped our industry grow, has enhanced our professionalism and has defended us when that was necessary. While Cindy is always eager to share credit with the PPMA Board and all PPMA contributors, the reality is that she made it easy to raise funds. Cindy created a good product to sell.”

Rob Lederer, executive vice president for NPMA, thanked Mannes for her years of valuable service and went on to say, “Cindy has been an integral part of the growth and development of PPMA. But, with the experienced team in place, we will continue to take a proactive role in defining our destiny with the consumer. Although Cindy’s day-to-day leadership of PPMA will certainly be missed, we are pleased she will remain in the industry as chief strategy and marketing officer for Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators.” 

THE NEXT STEP. Arrow President and COO Emily Thomas said the addition of Mannes to the company’s senior management team will position the company to achieve its strategic vision, which is to become a $400 million-per-year company in the next 20 years. In its most recent fiscal year, the company generated $96 million in revenue.

“This newly created position in our company completes, what I believe to be, the most talented executive team in the industry,” she said. “We are poised to be the largest family-owned (pest control) business in the United States and are putting all the resources we feel are necessary to reach our goal.”

In her new role, Mannes will be responsible for helping Arrow shape its long-term strategic vision and also execute the company’s external and internal marketing communications. “It just so happened that our need for this position and Cindy’s desire for a new challenge came about at the same time,” Thomas said. “In addition to her broad experience, the biggest factor in making our hiring decision was Cindy’s unique personality and leadership style, which lends itself to this senior executive role. I don’t know anyone else who could come into a company like Arrow — with its unique corporate culture — and be able to jump right in and hit the ground running.”

Mannes said she will continue to be based in Philadelphia, “but I’ll be spending a good deal of time in Atlanta, particularly initially as I dig into the job.”

“Throughout this process our overriding concern was to ensure that PPMA continues to function like a well-oiled machine,” Thomas added. “Arrow is completely committed to continuing to support PPMA and to do anything and everything we can to help with the transition. We all have a stake in this industry and make our livelihood from it,” she said. “The Arrow team has been very active with PPMA as well as NPMA and other industry initiatives. We will continue to resource the industry through leadership and financial resources.”

About PPMA

PPMA’s mission is to serve as the collective voice of pest management professionals in the media and the marketplace. PPMA works to raise awareness nationwide of the importance of pest control by targeting major print, radio, television and Internet media outlets to gain coverage that highlights the health and property threats that pests pose while providing valuable advice to homeowners. These efforts have built, and continue to build, good will for the pest management industry and drive customers to pick up the phone and call a pest management professional.