Eric Smith Named Inaugural Crown Technical Excellence Award Winner

CLEVELAND, Ohio — PCT magazine and Syngenta Professional Products proudly announce that Dr. Eric Smith, director of technical services, Dodson Bros., Lynchburg, Va., is the first-ever Crown Technical Excellence Award winner.

During the past 25-plus years, Smith has become one of the pest control industry’s leading educators, not only for his work at Dodson Bros., but as a member of Copesan’s and NPMA’s technical committees, the North Carolina Pest Control Association’s PCT School Board, and as principal author of the NPCA Field Guide to Structural Pests.

Smith is highly regarded by co-workers and industry colleagues alike for his pest control knowledge and ability to communicate this information via training presentations, ID workshops and writing. Bert Dodson, president of Dodson Bros., hired Smith in 1989 and he says it’s one of the best decisions he’s ever made. Dodson estimates that in addition to his company’s service technicians, about 7,000 professionals have been educated at various workshops presented by Smith. In addition to his training responsibilities, Smith handles a wide range of technical questions of importance to customers, regulators and others. This ability to communicate with a people of varying backgrounds is one of Smith’s most impressive traits, according to Bert Dodson.

“Eric is a giving, humble and extremely hard-working individual. He never talks down to people and he’s always willing to help no matter who you are,” Dodson said. “You may be president of a corporation, a technician or a concerned customer, he gives everyone equal attention.”

As a member of Copesan’s Technical Committee, Smith is called upon for his knowledge on insect IDs and other technical questions.

Perhaps Smith’s biggest contribution to the pest control industry has been publication of the NPCA Field Guide to Structural Pests. This unique, 800-page reference source includes detailed information on nearly 200 different structural pests: ants, bees, cockroaches, flies, spiders, termites, and more and is illustrated with nearly 1,000 color photos and drawings and supplied with quick reference tabs and a ruler. The guide includes details on pest recognition, biology and control. It can be found in offices and service vehicles throughout the country.

Currently, Smith is president of Pi Chi Omega, the national fraternity for the pest control industry.

Smith was nominated by his peers and selected after a thorough review of his personal and professional accomplishments. Smith will be honored at this week's PCT Rodent Management Summit and profiled more in-depth in an upcoming issue of PCT magazine.