NPMA Awards David Cooksey PestVet, Policy Person of the Year

WASHINGTON — The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recognized two industry professionals during its 2025 Legislative Day, March 9-11 in Washington, D.C.

Jacob "Jake" Kulzer, VP of Operations, North America at Ecolab, was presented with the 2025 David Cooksey PestVet of the Year Award. Additionally, Justin McCauley, CEO of McCauley Services in Benton, Ark., was named NPMA's 2025 Policy Person of the Year. Both awards were sponsored by Envu, the premier sponsor of this year's Legislative Day, and were presented during the luncheon on March 10.

PestVet of the Year Honoree

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Jacob Kulzer's extensive 21-year military career includes service as a Field Artillery Officer and Civil Military Operations Leader during two years in Iraq. At Ecolab, Kulzer leads a team of over 3,000 associates who service more than 200,000 customer locations.

Kulzer has been an exemplary leader in the Pest Elimination Industry, fostering a culture of service excellence and inclusivity. His dynamic ability to connect from entry-level associates to executive peers reflects the various experiences gained through his service in the U.S. Army.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Kulzer actively supports veterans through organizations including the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans and the United Heroes League.

Policy Person of the Year

Justin McCauley, past president of NPMA (2022-2023), received the 2025 Policy Person of the Year Award for his exceptional advocacy efforts, particularly in advancing pesticide preemption in the 2024 Farm Bill.

In 2022, McCauley hosted more than 50 pest management professionals for a town hall-style listening session with Senator John Boozman (R-AR), now Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. His continued engagement with Chairman Boozman led to the inclusion of state-level pesticide preemption in the Senator's 2024 Farm Bill framework, a critical win for the industry.