Industry Colleagues Celebrate Keown’s Remarkable Career

Regardless of the time allocated, it’s impossible to do justice to a pest control career that spans nearly five decades, but earlier this year industry colleagues from throughout the United States did their best to honor longtime Presto-X Vice President Jerry Keown with an evening befitting his many professional accomplishments. 

Titled “Jerry Keown’s Retirement Tee-Off,” the evening tribute, held at Oak Hills Country Club in Omaha, Neb., recognized one of industry’s most passionate advocates, a man who has worked tirelessly on a broad range of legislative issues. The festivities kicked off with introductory comments by Ward A. Combs II, president of Presto-X, who worked side-by-side with Keown for many years. “His persistence in the legislative arena to protect and strengthen small business is legendary,” Combs observed.

A second-generation PMP, Combs said he was most impressed by two key qualities of his mentor and friend – Keown’s “unending faith in his fellow man” and “his ability to fall fast asleep at any time in a matter of seconds,” a theme that was repeated by several others much to the amusement of Keown throughout the evening. 

Taking on a more serious tone during his closing comments, Combs said it’s “been a great ride” working so closely with Keown over the years and he’s proud of what they accomplished together at Presto-X. “Not bad for a couple of guys from Nebraska,” he said, his voice cracking as he turned towards Keown, clearly moved by the prospect of no longer working with his longtime mentor on a daily basis.

Following Combs on the program were several distinguished guests who traveled to Omaha to honor their friend and colleague, including Victor Hammel, president emeritus, J.C. Ehrlich/Rentokil North America; Roland Rhodes, president, Rhodes Chemical Co.; Dr. Bob Rummel, Western Pest Services (retired); Tom Moore, Copesan Services (retired); and Gene Harrington, National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Also in attendance was John Myers, president and CEO of Rentokil North America.
 “I met Jerry Keown in 1972 when I was introduced to him by Ward Combs, Sr. at a NPMA function,” Hammel recalled, a chance meeting that kicked off a lifelong friendship between the two men. “Jerry was the very first – and best – friend I developed in the industry,” Hammel said. “He’s known throughout the industry for his integrity, honesty and work ethic.”

Although the years have passed by quickly, Hammel said he’s enjoyed every minute of his association with Keown. “Jerry, I give you my appreciation for your industry contributions and my gratitude for your friendship during the past 38 years.” 

Bob Rummel, another longtime friend who worked with Keown during their days with Copesan Services, described him as “a great sales guy” who understands the value of creating a sales-driven organization. “He not only had the stereotypical sales personality, but he also had a great drive to succeed,” Rummel said. “It’s been a great journey.”

Keown, whose competitive nature and sometimes brusque demeanor belied a sensitive side, was presented with a framed picture of a golf course signed by all of Presto-X’s service managers. In presenting Keown with the gift, Regional Manager Ed Swanson thanked Keown for his years of service to the company and his dedication to the staff. A plaque accompanying the photograph read: “Jerry, thanks for your vision in leading us. All our best as you take the next step in your life’s journey.” – The Managers.

Karie said she did her best to win the painting when it was raffled off at the NPMA convention last fall, but despite purchasing several raffle tickets it wasn’t meant to be and Peckman took home the top prize. When Keown contacted Peckman and told her what she had planned to do with the painting if she had won, Peckman graciously worked out an arrangement to transfer the painting to Karie so it could one day hang at NPMA headquarters. “It was a very selfless act on her part,” she said.

According to Karie, the painting will be donated to NPMA in honor of Keown’s “years of service and dedication to the NPMA Government Affairs Committee and his lifetime contributions to the pest management industry.” The painting will hang in the foyer of the new NPMA headquarters in Vienna, Va. “We felt this painting needed to hang someplace special,” she said.

Gene Harrington, who traveled from Washington, D.C., for the festivities, said it’s a fitting tribute to Keown, who has meant a “tremendous amount” to the NPMA Government Affairs Committee where he has served from the Ford Administration to the Obama Administration, exhibiting “incredible devotion” to the pest management industry. “He’s really been an invaluable member of our association,” Harrington said. “Jerry really enhanced the camaraderie on the committee. He brought a sense of decency and friendship to all the deliberations.”

Commenting on Keown’s 35+ years of service to the Government Affairs Committee, Harrington said, “You will be deeply, deeply missed, but always remembered.”

After all of the kind words of appreciation from his colleagues and humorous stories about his career, Keown took the microphone to a standing ovation from the approximately 150 people in attendance. He said arriving at the decision to retire “is a lot easier than actually doing it,” but he’s looking forward to spending more time with his family, as well as golfing, playing tennis and hunting. In reflecting back on his career, he said, “I’m not going to break up and get teary-eyed,” but he did admit working at Presto-X “was my joy in life.”

Swanson was followed on the program by NPMA Director of Government Affairs Gene Harrington and Karie Keown, general manager of Presto-X, who surprised Keown with a replica of a Michael Israel painting. The original painting, which was awarded to PMP Pam Peckman of the Industrial Fumigant Company following a raffle at NPMA PestWorld, will hang in a place of honor at NPMA headquarters, a tribute to Keown’s many years of service to the Government Affairs Committee. 

Looking out at the assembled crowd, he said, “You represent a lifetime of friendships and memories. In particular, I want to thank our Presto-X colleagues who are here this evening. The success we’ve had as a company wasn’t Jerry, wasn’t Ward, it was all of us (working) as a team. This wasn’t accomplished by one or two people.” Instead, he said, it was a collective effort. “I always considered myself the team cheerleader.”

He also thanked his wife of nearly 50 years, Jerry Anne, for her support, saying she was “the glue” that held their family together, particularly when their children were growing up and he was on the road helping to build Presto-X into one of the largest pest management firms in the country. While his son, Jerry, who lives in Alaska was unable to attend the retirement party, daughters Karie and Kellie, as well as son-in-law,  Jeff Vap, and  grandsons Dutch, 18, and Thatcher, 15, were in attendance.

Combs said it’s still early, but Keown, 70, seems to have adapted well to retirement. “He’s doing great,” he said. “We talked to him about helping us out here and there when the need arises and he said, ‘I’m too busy.’”

Karie Keown, who planned the evening’s festivities with Kristen Combs-Bicaba, agreed. Combs-Bicaba is Ward’s daughter and also works at Presto-X. “Retirement seems to be suiting him just fine; he seems to be loving every minute of it,” although Keown says she misses her father’s presence in the office on a daily basis. “It’s lonely without him, but I’m acclimating to it.”
Appropriately enough, as the evening wrapped up, Jerry Anne had the last word about Keown. “He’s been my inspiration for 50 years,” she said, a sentiment undoubtedly shared by everyone who has had the good fortune to know Jerry Keown both personally and professionally throughout the years.