[News]

Andrew Christman Presented with Tom Evans Award

CLEVELAND — Andrew Christman, president of Ohio Exterminating Company, Columbus, Ohio, was presented with the Tom Evans Award at April’s Greater Cleveland Pest Control Association (GCPCA) banquet and meeting.

Andrew Christman (center) is presented with the Tom Evans Award by GCPCA’s Rich Kozlovich (left). Also, on hand for the award presentation was Andrew’s father, Tom Christman.

Christman served as president of the Ohio Pest Management Association (OPMA) from 2009 to 2011. Several legislative issues involving bed bugs and products used to control bed bugs arose during this time, and Christman was called upon to testify before committees of the General Assembly and the Ohio Senate.

“Andrew was sort of an unknown quantity who was a pleasant surprise as president,” said GCPCA’s Rich Kozlovich. “They say circumstances will expose the character of an individual and in Andrew’s case he handled himself with great maturity and displayed the right knowledge, understanding and right attitude about bed bug legislation. He was a real blessing for the pest control industry in Ohio during a difficult time.”

Each year for the last 16 years, GCPCA has recognized an outstanding member or group with the Tom Evans Award. Evans, former CEO of Southern Mill Creek Products of Ohio, was an active OPMA member and strong advocate for the pest control industry in Ohio.

In accepting this year’s award, Christman reflected on Evans, who passed away one year ago. “Quite frankly, I don’t feel worthy of an award named after a man who was so instrumental to our industry,” Christman said. “Tom was such a warrior who dedicated so much time, effort and energy to better our industry.”

Christman also was the guest speaker at last month’s banquet and provided an update on Ohio House Bill 420, a trapping law designed to aid pest control businesses. OPMA believes that Ohio’s current trapping laws are antiquated in that they were not designed for pest control businesses, but rather for hunters and fur trappers. As Christman explained, “We are trapping for business – it is for demand. We are not doing this for fun. It is a totally different way for looking at nuisance wildlife control.”

Under Ohio’s current trapping laws, PCOs need to obtain a hunter’s license and fur-taker permit (a special category on that license); they also have to apply and get clearance from local game officers. HB 420 would allow pest management professionals to instead apply for licensure to merely remove the offending animals from the property in a safe and effective manner.

For example, under Ohio’s current trapping laws, PCOs who capture squirrels have to release them on private grounds (with homeowner permission) in an adjacent county. This is a time-consuming and frustrating procedure, especially for larger companies that have to find homeowners willing to allow them to release multiple squirrels on their property.

In 2011, at OPMA’s urging, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources began issuing special permits to PCOs (who requested them) that allowed them to euthanize squirrels, instead of relocating them. In 2012, these permits became automatic. Christman added that HB 420 has had bi-partisan support in the Ohio House. — Brad Harbison

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BedBug Central’s Bed Bug Boot Camp Takes a Road Trip to the Midwest

Lawrenceville, N.J. — BedBug Central will travel to the Midwest this summer to present a series of highly interactive educational programs about bed bugs. This July, BedBug Central will collaborate with the Kansas Pest Control Association to offer the Kansas Bed Bug Boot Camp.

The Kansas Bed Bug Boot Camp is an off shoot of BedBug Central’s BedBug University: Boot Camp. The Kansas Bed Bug Boot Camp will be held on July 30-31 at the Holiday Inn Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.

This boot camp will focus on the necessary knowledge and skills needed to create, run or manage a successful bed bug program, according to BedBug Central. The boot camp offers a series of courses that provide in-depth, practical and actionable knowledge regarding pertinent issues relating to bed bugs and effective treatment.

“This is a unique opportunity for pest management professionals in the Midwest to learn how to treat for bed bugs in an interactive and hands-on environment,” said Jeffrey White, technical director for BedBug Central. “The bed bug epidemic is growing and proper training and information is needed to prevent and treat these pests.”

The boot camp’s sessions will include Bed Bugs 101: Basics of Bed Bug Biology; Bed Bugs 102: Protocol Overview; Bed Bug 201: Tools of the Trade; and Bed Bug 301: The Business of Bed Bugs.

The boot camp also will focus on the concepts of minimal preparation and the principals of least disruption. This technique will increase productivity by reducing labor and will ultimately reduce costs for pest management professionals, while increasing the value and convenience for customers. In addition to the educational sessions, attendees can visit exhibits that showcase various products and services from leaders in the bed bug industry.

Kansas Pest Control Association members can attend the boot camp for only $250 (early bird booking before July 1). KPCA members who register after the early bird date will be charged $265. Non- KPCA professionals can attend the Kansas Bed Bug Boot Camp at a rate of $295 (early bird booking before July 1). Non-KPCA members who register after the early bird date will be charged $325.

For more information about the Kansas Bed Bug Boot Camp, visit www.bedbugcentral.com/bedbuguniversity/kansas_boot_camp.cfm or call 877/411-1142.
 

Winners Named in National PSA Contest for Students

FAIRFAX, VA. — The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), which serves as the National Pest Management Association’s public outreach arm, announced the winners of its third annual Pest Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest, a national science and technology competition for students. PPMA, through its educational children’s website, PestWorldForKids.org, awarded Red Bank Middle School of Red Bank, N.J. with a $3,000 grant in support of science education for the third consecutive year.

For the contest, teachers and students in grades four through eight were challenged to create educational television PSAs highlighting the health and property risks posed by common household pests such as rodents, ants, cockroaches and stinging insects. Entries were judged on originality, creativity, health messaging and overall appeal.

The students at Red Bank Middle School used rap lyrics and green screen technology to deliver their PSAs. “I Hate Rats” won top honors in this year’s contest. “Every year, Red Bank Middle School stands out for its high-quality work, and the students do an exceptional job of discussing the important health risks associated with household pests,” said Missy Henriksen, executive director of PPMA.

Runner-up Lakewood Christian Schools of Long Beach, Calif., also received a $1,000 grant for its PSA, “Flea On Trial.”

To watch the award-winning PSAs, browse teacher lesson plans or learn more about a certain pest species, visit www.pestworldforkids.org. The videos also can be accessed from the “online extras” section on PCT Online’s homepage.
 

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Winners Announced in Bell Laboratories’ Contrac with Lumitrack Contest

MADISON, WIS. – Eight winners in Bell Laboratories’ Contrac with Lumitrack online contest were awarded prizes in early March. The grand prize winner of an Apple iPad2 was Tom Peek, owner of A-2-Z Termite & Pest Control, Ocala, Fla. Two first-prize winners of Streamlight blacklights were Stephen Gates, director of technical services, Cook’s Pest Control, Decatur, Ala., and Randy Vegas, general manager, CT Pest Elimination, West Haven, Conn.

Five second-place winners of 18-pound pails of Contrac with Lumitrack include Brad Parker, president, Parker Pest Control, Inc., Ponca City, Okla.; Victor Hinojosa, owner, Bay Area Pest Control, Corpus Christi, Texas; Joseph Mims, owner/operator, Tennessee Pride Pest Control, Rogersville, Tenn.; John Jackson, president, Jackson Exterminators, Inc., Portland, Ore.; and Glenn Fordham, supervisor, Olympic Pest & Termite Control, Hoschton, Ga.

The contest drew hundreds of visitors to Bell Laboratories’ website, www.belllabs.com, where they had access to the hands-on tools on the Contrac with Lumitrack Detective’s Desk to learn what Lumitrack is, how it works, and how PMPs can benefit from using the bio-fluorescent active, Lumitrack, which makes rodent droppings glow bright green under UV light.

Contrac with Lumitrack was launched in 20ll and helps pest management professionals identify, track and eliminate rodents. The additive is also found in Bell Laboratories’ non-toxic Detex with Lumitrack Blox.

Access the Lumitrack Detective Desk and an article by Bobby Corrigan, Biomonitoring for Rodents, are available at www.belllabs.com/contrac-with-lumitrack.
 

Comings & Goings

If your company has added new personnel, send a photo and press release to jdorsch@giemedia.com. Cynthia Collins has been promoted to southwest regional manager at Massey Services. Collins joined the company in 2006 as Oviedo general manager. Greg Baumann has been promoted to vice president of training and technical services for Rollins. Baumann will replace David Lamb, vice president of Rollins learning and media services, retired April 4. Baumann joined Rollins in 2010 as the technical services director. Lamb joined Rollins in 2004 as vice president of training and development. He has more than 35 years of corporate and consulting experience. In addition, Gwyn Hollins has been promoted to assistant vice president of application development for Rollins. Hollins joined the company in 2007 as a project manager. Dr. Stuart Mitchell, of PestWest Environmental, will receive his seventh post-graduate degree. Mitchell joined PestWest as principal technical specialist in 2011. He will complete a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in September. Each year, the Georgia Pest Control Association recognizes pest management professionals for their contributions to the industry. The 2012 honorees include: Leigh Ann Browning, Northwest Exterminating; Lloyd McCord, Allgood Pest Solutions; Lynn Dolan, Tom’s Pest Control; Robert Taylor, Future Services; Don Johnson, Arrow Exterminators; and Al Watkins, Allgood Pest Solutions. Express Pest Control hired Tony Rios as vice president of sales. Rios has more than 15 years experience in the pest control industry working for Terminix International in various management capacities. Alvaro Romero was appointed as an assistant professor and urban entomologist at New Mexico State University. Romero’s research program focuses on basic and applied aspects of bed bugs that lead to better management by the structural pest management industry.

ServicePro.net Launches New Website

COLUMBUS, OHIO — The Service Pro makers of ServSuite.net, launched a new, user-friendly website, featuring the new look for Service Pro, and highlighting the company’s pest management products and services. The new site includes information on ServSuite software, and its features such as visual routing, fleet management, invoicing, scheduling and reporting modules, as well as newly added features such as Marketing Wizard, Android/Apple App and Multi-Browser Platform. To find out more, visit www.servicepro.com, email sales@servsuite.net or call 614/874-4300.
 

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Packaging Inventor Tom Jennings Dies at Age 85

SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS, N.J. – John Thomas “Tom” Jennings, 85, of Spring Lake Heights, N.J., died in Stuart, Fla., on March 27. Born and raised in Newark, N.J., Jennings was the son of Patrick and Mary (Smullen) Jennings. He graduated from Central High School in Newark, served his country in the United States Navy during WWII and graduated from Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT) with a degree in electrical engineering.

Celebrating the NEPMA 2012 Professional of the Year Award are (left to right): Orkin Branch Manager Warren Gariepy, Pitttsfield, Mass.; Professional of the Year John Budaj; Awards Chairman Galvin J. Murphy of Yankee Pest Control, Malden, Mass.; and Orkin New England Region Manager Bill Minahan.

Following college, Jennings worked a short time for the U.S. government, engineering and installing U.S. communication lines at Fort Churchill, Canada, before moving on to start his own business. He owned a number of entrepreneurial businesses, including Eastern Equipment and Controls Corporation (EECC) and Container Manufacturing, Inc., where he received dozens of U.S. and international patents in the field of plastics packaging, was named NJIT “2001 Inventor of the Year” and was inducted into the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame. His inventions won many packaging awards, including awards from the Institute of Packaging Professionals, the World Packaging Organization, the National Association of Container Distributors and the IoPP AmeriStar Package Awards Committee. By the early nineties, Jennings relinquished most company responsibilities to his two sons and officially retired in 2001.
 

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NEPMA Announces the 2012 Professional of the Year and Vendor of the Year Awards

BOXBOROUGH, MASS. — The New England Pest Management Association (NEPMA) held its annual spring training conference and exposition in March, in Boxborough, Mass. At the ceremony, John Budaj, commercial technician at the Pittsfield, Mass., branch of Orkin, was presented with the 2012 Professional of the Year Award. The association presents the annual award to the employee of a member company who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the pest control industry through his or her work performance, community and industry service.

Budaj is a valued member of the branch team and well respected among other employees because of his tenure and knowledge. He also is well respected by his customers, most of whom he has serviced 21 years.

At the dinner, the association also presented the 2102 Vendor of the Year award, given to the individual who has made significant contributions to the association and its membership. This year, John Sheehy of Transworld Systems, Inc., was recognized. Sheehy has consistently supported the association in many ways including his new business plan that benefits NEPMA’s Mark Weintraub Scholarship.

Galvin Murphy, president, Yankee Pest Control in Malden, Mass., and chairman of the NEPMA Awards Committee, took the opportunity to congratulate everyone who applied and was considered for these awards.
 

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Temp-Air Selected as Part of the PERC Exceptional Product Program

BURNSVILLE, MINN. – Temp-Air’s Thermal Remediation EBB-40KW LP Trailer bed bug heat-treatment equipment package has been chosen to be a part of the Propane Education and Research Council’s (PERC) Exceptional Product Program — a program designed to encourage businesses to adopt new propane-fueled technologies for residential and commercial use.

As part of this program, PERC will provide a $2,000 financial incentive to qualifying companies that purchase the EBB-40KW LP trailer package and agree to share their experiences with PERC and their peers. Visit www.propanecouncil.org/propane-exceptional-product for additional information and an application.

The PERC program has been instrumental in funding recent insect heat-treatment research.

PCO News

Viking recognized Tony Yochum (center) and his team. Pictured (from left to right) are Ryan Bradbury, Yochum and Dan Bradbury. Please send press releases about your firm to jdorsch@giemedia.com. Viking Termite & Pest Control announced that its Saddle Brook, N.J. office, under the leadership of Branch Manager Tony Yochum, was named the 2011 Viking Office of the Year. “Their growth was a very healthy 34.77% and they exceeded their aggressive Viking budget by over 13 percent,” said Viking President Ryan Bradbury. The Saddle Brook team was awarded the “Viking Battle Helmet of Triumph,” which is Viking’s version of the NHL Stanley Cup. The Food Protection Alliance (FPA) is continuing to grow in membership since its 2004 inception, with the latest additions being Fischer Environmental Services and BioSinsa. Fischer Environmental Services is experienced in the food safety sector of pest management in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. BioSinsa Food Protection expands the Food Protection Alliance’s food safety pest management knowledge and its coverage capabilities brings a strong presence in Mexico. Dr. David L. Cook, Brian Cook, Mrs. Jo Cook and Leslie Cook a the 2012 Annual Sales Kickoff Cook’s 2011 President’s Club cruise to The Bahamas sailed in February as a reward for employees who provided outstanding customer service. On the cruise, 136 President’s Club Members (technicians and salespeople) from the sales and service departments celebrated success, 54 members made the Club for the first time, 26 district managers were recognized, 69 department managers and supervisors participated, and 30 office specialists were nominated for the President’s Award. In addition, 300 Cook’s employees, including district managers, sales managers, inspectors and consultants, gathered at the Birmingham Sheraton hotel for the 2012 annual sales kickoff. The event theme was “Sales Utopia: Your Ideal Sales Environment” based on a book written by guest speaker Dr. David L. Cook.