[News]

NPMA Legislative Day Attendees Raise Awareness About Bee Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 300 industry professionals traveled to Washington, D.C., March 9-11, for NPMA Legislative Day, where this year’s efforts were two-fold: (1) Attendees thanked their congressional representatives for a pair of important legislative wins in 2013; and (2) they educated their representatives about bee health and the structural pest control industry.

In 2013, NPMA secured a couple of big wins on issues that directly impact pest management professionals — and those outcomes were undoubtedly impacted by Legislative Day visits. At last year’s Legislative Day, attendees asked their House Representatives and Senators to support legislation retaining food uses for the fumigant sulfuryl fluoride (SF); and limiting U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services (USDA/WS) competition with the private sector for urban rodent control work. Both issues were successfully addressed. (Visit www.pctonline.com and click “online extras” to read NPMA’s position papers.)

“I hope that last year’s wins were proof positive to you that when you take time to travel to Capitol Hill — and when you take time to contact your legislators you are heard,” said NPMA Director of Government Affairs Gene Harrington. “When you take time to write to your lawmakers you do make a difference.”

Attendees of this year’s Legislative Day used their visits as an opportunity to thank the many members of Congress that spearheaded the passage of legislation retaining SF’s food uses and helped NPMA satisfactorily address the USDA/WS competition issue. These acknowledgments help strengthen those relationships.

The primary goal for this year’s visits was for attendees to educate their reps about bee health and the structural pest control industry — specifically, to make them aware that reasons for the declining bee population are complex and involve a whole host of issues including: parasites; diet and nutrition; lack of genetic diversity; habitat loss; beekeeping management practices; weather; and viruses. Attendees also urged their House reps to join the Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus (CP2C), a bipartisan group dedicated to protecting pollinators and their habitat.

In addition to Capitol Hill visits, other highlights from NPMA Legislative Day included:

• A debate between political pundits Pat Buchanan (Republican) and Donna Brazile (Democrat), sponsored by FMC Professional Solutions. Buchanan and Brazile gave their takes on the state of the country. While they differed on policies, both agreed that President Obama faces a challenging 2014, partly because historically presidents struggle in their second terms.
• John Heilemann, noted author and MSNBC political analyst, gave a presentation sponsored by Dow AgroSciences. He handicapped the 2016 presidential race. Unlike many pundits who have predicted that Hillary Clinton is all-but assured of being the Democratic choice, Heilemann said Clinton’s age (66) might give her reason to reconsider running. On the Republican side, Heilemann said the four candidates he thinks can best energize the party’s base and also appeal to a broad sector of the electorate are New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; Sen. Paul Ryan; and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
• Mike Allen, Chief White House Correspondent for Politico, gave a presentation sponsored by Control Solutions. Allen provided insights into the Obama presidency. He said that, thus far, the president’s second-term has been characterized by a “lack of urgency” and that Obama “is convinced his place in history is secure.”
• Edwin J. Nichols, Ph.D., presented a session titled “Cultural Competence in Team Leadership.” Nichols defined cultural competence as the ability to extract from others and accept the uniqueness of their problem-solving skills. He said that for Americans to be successful, they must be prepared to work effectively in a multi-ethnic, pluralistic and linguistically diverse workplace. His presentation was sponsored by Bayer.
• PCT presented its 17th annual Technician of the Year Awards, sponsored by BASF, to our winners: Tony Decker, Scherzinger Pest Control, Cincinnati, Ohio — residential category; Corky Long, Presto-X, Springfield, Mo. — commercial category; and Shawn Svehla, Turner Pest Control, Jacksonville, Fla. — termite category.
   

FMC was the lead sponsor of NPMA Legislative Day. Other sponsors included Bayer, Control Solutions, Cook’s Pest Control and Dow AgroSciences. — Brad Harbison

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Jim Sargent Recognized with FMC Legislative Day Award

WASHINGTON — Jim Sargent, director of technical support and regulatory compliance, Copesan Services, was recognized with the FMC Legislative Day Award.

“Sarge,” as he is known by his colleagues in the pest control industry, has brought an important entomology perspective to NPMA and the committees on which he has served.

He’s been a valuable longtime member of NPMA’s Fumigation Committee, which played a leading role in NPMA’s successful effort to push legislation that retained food uses of sulfuryl fluoride. He also gave NPMA important guidance when the association was fighting to retain flexibility for the use of rodenticide products, after EPA had imposed harsh restrictions for where these products could be placed.

Sargent was presented the FMC Legislative Day Award by FMC’s Bethwyn Todd.

“[Sargent] has not only demonstrated an incredible commitment to the pest management industry, but he is equally dedicated to the sciences,” Todd said. “He’s passionate about entomology and he serves as a great role model for the discipline. He’s respected worldwide as a scientist, but he’s never lost his sense of wonder and his thirst for learning. He’s a much-valued resource by pest control operators, technicians, vendors and clients alike.”

The FMC award is presented annually to individuals who have distinguished themselves in the pest management industry through various activities — particularly legislative involvement — and through their contributions to advancing the industry.

 

Copesan Services and Syngenta Support Pest Management Research and Education

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Copesan Services announced its $11,566 contribution to two key charitable organizations providing scholarship funds and research support to the pest management industry.

Over the last 13 years, the Copesan network has raised just under $100,000 for Pi Chi Omega and the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA’s) Pest Management Foundation for research through the annual Copesan Charity Raffle. “We are thrilled to share the generosity of our entire Copesan family with both Pi Chi Omega and the NPMA Pest Management Foundation,” said Copesan President Deni Naumann. “It’s wonderful to see the ongoing commitment of so many team members from our Partner companies and industry suppliers to make our industry better by developing strong, future leaders and continuing essential scientific research and development.”

Sponsored by Syngenta, the 2014 raffle was held during Copesan’s annual conference, Feb. 11-13, in Las Vegas. This year’s event was attended by more than 330 members of the Copesan Partner network and pest management suppliers who raised $5,133 in just a few short days. Copesan matched this amount for a total donation of $10,266 to be equally divided between Pi Chi Omega for scholarships and the NPMA Pest Management Foundation. Additionally, a record $1,300 was raised for Pi Chi Omega in the auction of a unique “Arthropod of the Hour” mantel clock featuring preserved insects on the face. The clock was created by Dr. Gerry Wegner, technical director and staff entomologist at Varment Guard, Columbus, Ohio, a Copesan Partner, who has been graciously donating these clocks for a number of years.

Pi Chi Omega, a pest management professional fraternity, provides a number of $2,000 scholarships each year to deserving entomology students at universities across the country and around the world. The NPMA Pest Management Foundation has been providing grants for the research, development and refinement of pest management tools and techniques for more than 30 years.

A-Active Joins Rentokil North America

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Kevin and Mary Beth Kordek, owners of A-Active Termite & Pest Control, told PCT on March 9 that their firm has merged with Rentokil North America.

The Kordeks have owned the Virginia Beach, Va.-based firm, which generated revenues of $4.5 million in 2013, for 19 years. All 38 A-Active employees have been retained by Rentokil.

The company will retain its name and Kevin Kordek will remain on board as the company’s president. “Rentokil doesn’t want me to leave and I’m not ready to leave,” he said.

The Kordeks approached Rentokil in December 2013 about joining the firm. Although the Kordeks had been approached by many companies in the past about selling, Kevin Kordek said his admiration for Victor Hammel led the couple to their decision to join the Reading, Pa.-based pest management firm. (Hammel currently serves as chairman emeritus of Rentokil North America and was formerly co-owner and chief executive officer of J.C. Ehrlich, Reading, Pa.)

“Victor took J.C. Ehrlich from a $1 million firm to a $100 million firm, built a multi-state empire and parlayed it into one of the best mergers in this industry in North America,” Kordek said.

From Rentokil’s perspective, A-Active was a natural fit, said Rentokil North America President and CEO John Myers.

“We’re excited to acquire this well-run, growth-oriented company as it provides us an entry into a very vibrant and new market for Rentokil,” Myers told PCT.

The deal was brokered by Tullius Partners, Portland, Ore. — Jodi Dorsch
 

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NPMA Undergoes Strategic Reorganization

FAIRFAX, Va. — In an effort to best serve its membership and take advantage of the organization’s staff assets, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) in March announced a significant staff reorganization to ensure that the industry trade association is durable and poised to meet the future expectations of its members. This transition includes the following:

• Andrew Architect has been named Chief Industry Relations Officer with responsibility over all industry-facing activities, including technical affairs, legislative and regulatory affairs, legal, QualityPro, state association management and state association relations.
• Dominique Stumpf has been named chief operating officer, with responsibility over internal NPMA operations, including meetings and convention, membership, marketing and human resources.
• Gary McKenzie will continue to serve as chief financial officer with responsibility over the finances of NPMA and our affiliated organizations.
• Missy Henriksen will continue to run the Professional Pest Management Association, which is a related, but independent organization.
   

In addition, Janay Rickwalder has been elevated to vice president of communications, marketing and membership; Jim Fredericks has been promoted to vice president of technical and regulatory affairs; and Megan Moloney has been promoted to meetings/exhibits manager.

“In my 25 years with the association, NPMA is fortunate to have the most talented group of people with whom I’ve ever worked,” stated NPMA Executive Vice President Bob Rosenberg. “I’m certain that, with these adjustments, NPMA has built a team that will continue to lead and serve the industry with distinction for years to come.”