[News]

2015 ESACC Award Winners Announced

Annapolis, Md. — The Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation (ESACC) recently named the winners of the 2015 Certification Awards. These include two professional awards and one student award. The winners were recognized at Entomology 2015, ESA’s 63rd Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minn., in November. Additionally, the winner of the A.C.E. Professional Award was recognized at NPMA PestWorld last month.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM — This award encourages, recognizes and rewards outstanding contributions to the ESA Certification Program and the professionalism of entomology. Dr. Jim Fredericks, B.C.E., is the vice president of technical and regulatory affairs for the National Pest Management Association. In his position with NPMA, Fredericks is responsible for all aspects of technical and entomological publications, services, education and training, as well as providing strategic direction to NPMA’s state and federal public policy efforts.

Fredericks also is the executive director for the Pest Management Foundation, a non-profit foundation affiliated with NPMA, whose mission and purpose is to advance the pest management industry through education, research and training.

Fredericks is a board certified entomologist specializing in industrial and urban entomology and currently serves on the ESA Certification Board. He holds a Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Delaware, where his research focused on the factors influencing how subterranean termites interact with below-ground bait stations. Fredericks also holds a MS degree in entomology from the University of Delaware and a BS degree in biology education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining NPMA, Fredericks was technical director for a large pest management firm serving the mid-Atlantic region, where he worked for 11 years.
 

A.C.E. PROFESSIONAL AWARD — This award recognizes the superior contributions of an Associate Certified Entomologist (A.C.E.) in the field of structural pest management. Michael Goldman, president of Purity Pest Control, has been in the pest management industry more than 35 years and was the first non-U.S. resident to earn the A.C.E. designation after ESA amended the program rules to require a U.S. pesticide applicator’s license to apply for the A.C.E. He is a past president of the Structural Pest Management Association of Ontario and served as conference chair for more than 12 years. He is a founding member and past president of the IPM Council of Canada where he helped establish guidelines and protocols for the turf industry that were eventually accepted and put into law by the Ministry of the Environment of Ontario. He was a founding member of the Pesticide Industry Council of Ontario and sat on the City of Toronto Bed Bug Steering Committee.

STUDENT CERTIFICATION AWARD — Sponsored by PestWest, this award recognizes and encourages outstanding entomology graduate students with an interest in the mission of the ESA certification program, and promotes the understanding and importance of the program. Sanjay Basnet is a Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln working under the supervision of Dr. Shripat Kamble. His Ph.D. research is in molecular toxicology focusing on the exploration of RNAi in bed bug control. He also works on bed bug specimen preservation techniques: experiments on DNA extraction, PCR amplification and sequencing. Along with his Ph.D. research project, he also is involved in industry research initiatives on urban pests, such as ants and subterranean termites. Basnet received his MS in entomology in 2011 from Virginia Tech, studying the brown marmorated stink bug in grapes and raspberries. His MS research has yielded interesting data and resulted in two refereed publications. Basnet obtained his BS in agriculture in 2008 from Tribhuwan University, Nepal.
 

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WorkWave, FPMA to Host January Event

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — WorkWave and the Florida Pest Management Association are once again joining forces to offer the PestPac User Conference in conjunction with the FPMA Pest and Lawn Expo, Jan. 18-21, 2016. The event will be held at the Hilton Orlando in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The event will include:

• 16+ unique PestPac training classes taught by PestPac experts
• Over 30 hours of PestPac training
• Genius and Report Writer booths for one-on-one training
• Networking: Share knowledge and tips with PestPac users
• Lunches, happy hours and other fun events

To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/1OmjJFB or email events@workwave.com.
 

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Dates Announced for ICUP 2017 Conference

Birmingham, United Kingdom — The dates and details for the International Conference on Urban Pests (ICUP) have been announced. Held once every three years, the next conference takes place in Europe July 9-12, 2017. The venue is Conference Aston, which is based on the University of Aston campus in central Birmingham, United Kingdom.

This non-profit conference is a leading international forum for sharing information and ideas on the impact, biology and control of pests in the urban environment. It is attended by entomologists, pest management professionals, and academic and government scientists from around the world.

The 2017 organizing team, chaired by Dr. Matthew Davies from Killgerm, has been developing what organizers say will be another first-class program.

“The conference program will address the science and management of a wide variety of urban pests, including coverage of hygiene, structural, medical and vertebrate pests,” says Davies. “In particular, we want to address the importance of emerging environments and how they are impacting emerging pests that are both ‘old’ and ‘new’ to us.

“We are especially keen to see interaction between a new generation of researchers and established contributors,” he added. “Of course, no event of this standing would be complete without sessions looking at the future direction for urban pest control as well as the impacts of regulatory and stewardship challenges.”

In addition to the main conference sessions, there will be break-out sessions as well as a conference dinner.

Attendee registration is expected to begin in spring 2016. Details on how to offer a paper for consideration by the organizing committee will be announced in early summer 2016. The official language of the conference is English.

The conference website is in development and further details will be announced as events progress. The central ICUP website is www.icup.org.uk.
 

AP&G Launches ‘There’s More to Our Story’ Initiative

Bayonne, N.J. — AP&G Co. has been formulating and manufacturing adhesives for the pest management industry for more than 60 years and the Catchmaster brand of pest control products has evolved over decades to better service the industry. Today, the firm says years of steady growth and delivery of quality products continues as AP&G prepares for expansion into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and new office. This expansion moves the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based company to its new home in Bayonne, N.J. The new facility will provide more space for new machinery to increase productivity and enhance production capabilities.

As the Catchmaster team is adding a new chapter to the company’s journey, the staff is taking this time to reflect on the past and recognize those who make this industry great. AP&G is in the process of gathering PMPs’ stories about their experiences in pest management.

Submissions from pest professionals around the country will be collected to create a tribute to the industry. Memories, success stories and advice to future generations will be gathered from leaders within pest management and shared through social media, Catchmaster’s website and featured in PCT magazine. Every pest professional who submits a story will be entered into a contest for a two-day trip to New York City to join the AP&G team and tour the new state-of-the-art facility.

“At AP&G, we believe that there’s more to pest control than just doing our jobs — there’s a story behind every PMP. AP&G wants to include your story in our tribute to the industry. We want to hear about your beginnings in pest management, where you are now and what advice you have for future generations,” said Jonathan Frisch, vice president of sales and marketing, AP&G.

Stay tuned for full program details and follow “There’s More to Our Story” on social media at #whywecatch and http://catchmasterpro.com/whywecatch/.
 

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PCT Launches 14th Annual Photo Contest

CLEVELAND — PCT announces the call for entries for its 14th annual Best Pest Photo Contest. The contest is your chance to be recognized alongside your peers for having taken one of the best photographs in the pest control industry. Photos will be judged on the three Cs: color, clarity and content. The winning photographer will receive $500. In addition to the photo, please provide:

• Identification of the pest
• Location of where the photo was taken
• Anything else unique about the photo or circumstance under which it was taken

Send your photo to photocontest@giemedia.com or mail to: PCT Online, c/o Brad Harbison, 5811 Canal Road, Valley View, OH 44125. Deadline is Dec. 6. (There is a limit of one photo per entrant.)
 

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Bug Off Hosts ‘Rats in the Citi 2’

NEW YORK — On Sept. 16, New York City area pest management professionals were treated to a night of education, relaxation and baseball under the stars. Bug Off Pest Control Center held “Rats and the Citi – Let’s Play 2!” at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. Liphatech’s John Murphy presented a rodent control recertification workshop in Citi’s state-of-the-art auditorium. Afterward, attendees assembled at the Party City Deck area for a night of unlimited food and drink as they watched the Mets play the Miami Marlins. In a pre-game ceremony, the Mets presented Bug Off with the business leader of the game Spirit Award, which was displayed for all to see on the stadium’s new jumbotron. 
 

12th Fumigants & Pheromones Conference to be Held in March 2016

Indianapolis, Ind. — The 12th Fumigants & Pheromones Conference will be held at the Adelaide Conference Center in Adelaide, South Australia, March 6-9, 2016.

“Helping Feed the World,” the theme for this conference, will focus on current issues in post-harvest pest management.

Poster displays on pest management and stored product protection will be available. Organizers say this is a great opportunity to learn directly from the poster author about new products or services available for the industry.

This conference will offer a world-class experience to attendees from more than 30 countries. The Gala Dinner, a popular event, will be held at the Adelaide Oval, the home of cricket since 1871. The final day will be a bus trip, walk about workshop at the Bird in Hand Winery and the Cleland Wildlife Park.

Insects Limited, based in Indianapolis, Ind., and Australian Fumigation, based in Adelaide, South Australia, will be hosting the conference.

Register online at www.insectslimited.com.
 

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ServiceMaster Announces Three Executive Promotions

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — ServiceMaster Global Holdings recently announced several executive moves, which the firm says are designed to help the company pursue new growth opportunities and advance the use of digital and mobile technologies to improve service to the 5 million customers it serves each year.

Mark Barry has been promoted to chief marketing and strategy officer. Barry joined ServiceMaster in 2012 as president of its American Home Shield home warranty business and has been serving as group president leading both AHS and the company’s Franchise Services Group. In his new role, Barry will oversee company strategy, including competitive intelligence, insights and analytics, as well as all marketing, pricing and business development.

Replacing Barry as AHS president is Tim Haynes, who has served as ServiceMaster’s senior vice president and chief information officer since 2014 and played an instrumental role in driving many of the technology initiatives that have helped fuel AHS’s growth. Haynes joined ServiceMaster in 2012 as vice president of IT, supporting AHS after spending several years in global roles at Nissan and GMAC.

Jamie Smith will replace Haynes as ServiceMaster CIO. He joined AHS as vice president of IT in 2014 after nearly 20 years of experience, including various IT leadership roles at Nissan, IBM and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
 

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Syngenta Abuzz With New Social Media Accounts

GREENSBORO, N.C. — To provide the latest buzz in the pest management industry, Syngenta Professional Pest Management (PPM) has launched new Twitter and YouTube accounts. Both social media platforms offer timely information to help solve the business challenges pest management professionals face every day in residential, commercial and farm pest control. PMPs, channel partners, customers and media can follow Syngenta PPM on Twitter at @SyngentaPest and subscribe on YouTube.

“With Twitter and YouTube, we can quickly share alerts, reminders and recommendations, so PMPs can get the information they need without interrupting their work schedule,” says Pat Willenbrock, head of marketing, Professional Pest Management, for Syngenta in North America. “Social media is an excellent platform for thought leadership and we are looking forward to joining the industry conversation.”

@SyngentaPest provides a mix of educational industry articles and news, technical advice, product information and company updates. Followers are encouraged to join in the conversation by sharing experiences and replying to tweets with questions and feedback. Additionally, the new YouTube channel will host informational videos to learn more about Syngenta PPM and its extensive product portfolio.

Both accounts link to the Syngenta PPM website, which provides additional tools and resources including tailored assurance and business programs.

For more information about the Syngenta PPM portfolio, visit www.syngentapmp.com. Follow Syngenta PPM on Twitter @SyngentaPest and YouTube.
 

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Georgia Pest Control Association Awards College Scholarships

Norcross, Ga. — For almost three decades, the Georgia Pest Control Association has awarded annual scholarships to members’ children.

The association says the scholarships are a way to enhance the value of being a member of the Georgia Pest Control Association and also emphasize the importance of family, which has been a mainstay throughout the association’s history.

Since 1986, the association has awarded 132 scholarships. Funding for the Burnett Scholarship comes from a portion of the revenue collected at the GPCA Annual Charity Golf Tournament.

Each of the winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship to use toward their college education.

This year’s winners include:

• McKenzie Knudsen, daughter of Heath Knudsen, owner of Flexible Pest Services
• Madison Knudsen, daughter of Heath Knudsen, owner of Flexible Pest Services
• Jacob Pate, son of Jody Pate with Arrow Exterminators
• Makayla Lee, daughter of Richard Lee, co-owner of Empire Pest Control
• Andrew Tindol, son of Whitt Tindol, Allgood Pest Solutions, Duluth
• Matthew Entriken, son of Todd Entriken, Northwest Exterminating

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Jim Wiborg, Former Univar Board Chairman, Passes Away

SEATTLE, Wash. — Jim Wiborg, former longtime chairman of the board for Univar Corporation, died on Aug. 1, at age 90.

Wiborg, a native of the Seattle, Wash., area, founded several companies in the Pacific Northwest including Western Plastics in 1953, which grew to become the largest plastics pipe company on the West Coast. While serving as president of insurance provider United Pacific Company, Wiborg became associated with Norm Ehmann of Van Waters & Rogers through a mutual friendship with the Treleven family, owners of Sprague Pest Solutions. Wiborg and Ehmann were both instrumental in facilitating the merger of United Pacific Company and Van Waters & Rogers into Univar, now the largest chemical distribution company in the world.

“They both convinced their respective boards and with the huge cash infusion from the insurance company that there would be advantages to both firms,” recalled Larry Treleven, vice president and co-owner of Sprague Pest Solutions, Tacoma, Wash., who remembered Wiborg as a “creative and forward-thinking individual.”

Univar prospered under his leadership and in 1969, the company became listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In June 2014, Univar filed for a $100 million initial public offering.

According to an obituary in the Seattle Times, Wiborg also was committed to the community of Tacoma throughout his life, serving as a trustee at the University of Puget Sound for 30 years, where he funded the Wiborg Physics Faculty Lab. He supported many community organizations, including United Way, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital/MultiCare Health System, YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, The Tacoma Art Museum, Bellarmine Preparatory School, Thea Foss Maritime Museum and Goodwill of Tacoma. He was also a major donor to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Smithsonian. — Brad Harbison

For breaking news coverage by PCT’s editors, be sure to visit www.pctonline.com daily.