‘Exterminator’ Named to U.S. News & World Report ‘Best Jobs’ List

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. News & World Report, a global authority in rankings and consumer advice, on Jan. 11 announced its 2022 Best Jobs list, and for the first time in recent memory, the list includes “exterminator.” The magazine says the rankings offer a look at the best jobs across 17 categories to help job seekers at every level achieve their career goals. U.S. News & World Report says it takes into account the most important aspects of a job, including growth potential, work-life balance and salary.

“Exterminator” was listed in the category of “Best Maintenance and Repair Jobs.” The article said, “Workers in these occupations are vastly knowledgeable about their trade and are very skilled at what they do. They can get a car up and running again, rid a home of termites or fix an MRI scanner.”

“We’re extremely pleased to see exterminator, or pest control technician, listed among the top 10 best maintenance and repair jobs by U.S. News & World Report,” said Cindy Mannes, senior vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association. “Two years ago, a job in pest control still carried a negative connotation and was not considered a meaningful and rewarding career path. This ranking demonstrates the industry and our program is gaining momentum in shifting public perception and working seamlessly with our other marketing efforts at play.”

While nearly four in 10 of the 100 Best Jobs are health care or health-care support roles, a technology job — information security analyst — captured the No. 1 spot this year.

The 2022 Best Jobs rankings offer job seekers detailed information on training and education requirements, median salary and job satisfaction across diverse sectors, including social services, education, construction and creative and media. For individuals interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering and math, also known as the STEM fields, U.S. News & World Report compiles the Best STEM Jobs. Best Jobs Without a College Degree and Highest Paying Jobs Without a Degree also are offered for those who did not attend or finish college.

To calculate Best Jobs, U.S. News & World Report draws data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify jobs with the greatest hiring demand. Jobs are then scored using seven component measures: 10-year growth volume, 10-year growth percentage, median salary, employment rate, future job prospects, stress level and work-life balance. For further details on how the rankings were calculated, see the methodology at https://buff.ly/37gIaQY. Visit www.pctonline.com for links to the lists. — Jodi Dorsch

Jodi Dorsch Named Publisher of the PCT Media Group

VALLEY VIEW, Ohio — GIE Media is pleased to announce the promotion of Jodi Dorsch to publisher of the PCT Media Group, which includes Pest Control Technology and Quality Assurance & Food Safety magazines.

Dorsch, who has covered the pest management industry for 24 years, succeeds Dan Moreland in this role. Moreland, who serves as publisher emeritus, stepped back from a day-to-day position at GIE Media at the end of 2021, but continues to serve the company via numerous special projects.

Dorsch has served in various editorial roles at PCT since 1998. Most recently, as editor-in-chief, she was responsible for the editorial content of the print edition of PCT, as well as working hand-in-hand with other staffers on digital media, custom publishing projects and webinars/conferences.

“Jodi is passionate about serving the interests of all segments of the pest management and food safety/public health markets — markets GIE Media is honored to serve,” said GIE Media Founder and Chairman Richard Foster. “I’ve been privileged to watch Jodi earn her many career positions of responsibility over more than two decades. Jodi has honored GIE Media in every way as she’s built her reputation as a business leader and as an award-winning journalist.”

As part of her editor-in-chief role, Dorsch managed the highly regarded PCT Top 100, a list of the industry’s 100 largest pest management firms based on yearly revenues. She speaks frequently at industry events and serves as a key resource for PCT’s media partners.

“I love working in the pest management industry, and I’m honored to take on this new role and its responsibilities,” Dorsch said. “With the addition of three new editors in the past 15 months, the PCT editorial staff is ramped up, and I’m thrilled to continue to work with everyone on our staff.”

Kaitlyn McGarvey Joins PCT as Associate Editor

VALLEY VIEW, Ohio — The PCT Media Group is pleased to announce the addition of associate editor Kaitlyn McGarvey.

As associate editor, McGarvey writes news and feature stories for PCT magazine and pctonline.com. She also assists with copy editing, social media, webinars, podcasts and more and will represent PCT at industry events.

“Kaitlyn McGarvey brings a breadth of journalism experience, reporting local news and features stories. We believe her background and skill set will help the PCT Media Group continue to evolve to better serve our readers,” said PCT Managing Editor Brad Harbison. “We are happy to have Kaitlyn as a part of our team!”

McGarvey joins PCT from The Kent Ravenna Record-Courier Newspaper (Kent, Ohio), where she spent nearly three years reporting local news. Her stories largely focused on city government issues. Prior to her stint with the Record-Courier, McGarvey served in a variety of positions at Ohio University’s student-run newspaper, The Post (Athens, Ohio).

McGarvey holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University.

McGarvey can be reached at 216/393-0220 or at kmcgarvey@gie.net.

Group Asks PMPs to Pause Sending Rodenticide Comments to EPA for Now

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The industry’s Anticoagulant Rodenticide Task Force (ARTF) is asking pest management professionals to not send comments to the U.S. EPA regarding its ongoing registration review of rodenticides until after the agency’s proposed interim decision is announced in late March or early April.

Currently, EPA is requesting data and information from experts and stakeholder groups in numerous industries to help guide its proposed interim decision.

“Confusion has arisen in the last few weeks regarding the timing of the phases of the EPA’s process for receiving comments,” said Katie Swift, ARTF chairperson and senior manager of governmental affairs at Liphatech. As a result, the high number of general unsolicited emails are complicating the agency’s ability to review the informational comment letters that it requested, she explained.

After the EPA’s proposed interim decision is announced, individual members of the pest management industry will have the opportunity to comment during a 60-day public comment period, she said. “During that time, PMPs can submit comments to the public docket, providing any information and opinions they think will help the agency reach a sound decision regarding the future of rodenticides in the U.S.,” said Swift.

The ARTF was formed to support the registrations of anticoagulant rodenticides through joint advocacy, research and education. Because many ARTF priorities and projects relate to all rodenticides, and now that the EPA is considering identical changes for all rodenticides, Swift said ARTF is welcoming non-anticoagulant rodenticide registrants to join its efforts. — Anne Nagro

PPMA Gears Up for Week-Long Termite Awareness Campaign

FAIRFAX, Va. — With spring approaching, the pest control industry is preparing for this year’s termite season. To spread awareness about these destructive pests, the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), which serves as the public outreach arm of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), is educating homeowners during Termite Awareness Week, taking place March 6-12. This annual event, recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events, underscores the importance of monitoring for signs of termites and scheduling annual inspections to avoid costly damage to most people’s largest investments — their homes.

“We need fellow industry members to join the cause in educating the public about the complexities of termite infestations,” said PPMA Executive Director Cindy Mannes. “By sharing compelling visuals and telling the true story of termites, we can demonstrate just how devastating these infestations can be, while driving home the importance of working with a pest control professional.”

In honor of this national observance, PPMA will launch media relations efforts and strategic social media initiatives across Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube with content from PPMA’s popular large-scale termite campaigns, including Will They Eat It? and the Tiny Termite House. Pest control companies can join in by including #TermiteAwarenessWeek on social media channels when sharing content about these destructive pests.

Mainframe subscribers also have access to an exclusive Termite Awareness Week toolkit on PPMAMainframe.org. These downloadable assets include a customizable press release, social media content, logos and headers, media training documents and high-resolution photography and video assets. This toolkit is designed with industry marketing needs in mind, so companies can use these materials in their own promotional efforts with customers.

For more information about PPMA or to subscribe to Mainframe, visit http://www.npmapestworld.org/ppma.

WorkWave Hosts ‘Beyond Service’ User Conference

HOLMDEL, N.J. — WorkWave said it inspired and educated more than 700 leaders across the field service industry last month at its inaugural Beyond Service User Conference. The company added that this new event delivered valuable business insights, networking opportunities and exciting entertainment to WorkWave’s pest control, lawn care and HVAC customers.

The 2022 Beyond Service User Conference, held in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 9-12, offered a reimagining of three field service events as they came together as one: the WorkWave User Conference, Real Green’s Solutions Users Conference and Coalmarch’s CO2 Conference. The combined event reflects the consolidation of field service software solutions WorkWave, Real Green, Coalmarch, Slingshot, Lawnbot, and, most recently TEAM Software, under the WorkWave brand.

“This conference was the first time we’ve been able to see the result of our strategy last year: bringing together not just the most respected technology companies in our industry, but the best service leaders from different industries,” said David F. Giannetto, CEO of WorkWave. “That is actually why we went out and acquired the best companies — because we wanted to capture the talent and expertise that will empower us to deliver solutions that bring these industries into a new future that only WorkWave could deliver. It has been our honor to host a conference that brings together people from WorkWave brands and all of our customers, to build and foster the partnerships and relationships that we have forged, and will continue to forge, as WorkWave continues to deliver the most powerful solutions across the field service industry.”

Highlights of Beyond Service 2022 included a keynote address by former NFL star Joe Theismann; a welcome presentation by Giannetto; expert panels, roundtables, Q&A sessions and one-on-one tech interactions; and social events.

In addition, WorkWave recognized customers with a variety of awards. Each category had winners selected for PestPac, ServMan, Real Green, Coalmarch and Slingshot.

• Legends Award: Truly Nolen, Tudi Mechanical Systems, Weed and Feed Lawn Care, Rose Pest Solutions and Got Bugs? received WorkWave’s Legends Award, which honors long-standing, loyal customers.
• Growth MVP Award: Rentokil, Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning, American Turf & Tree Care, Just Right Lawns and HTP Termite & Pest Control were recognized for extraordinary growth while using WorkWave’s solutions over the past year.
• Rookie of the Year Award: Platinum Pest Solutions, Thigpen Heating & Cooling, Prestige Lawn Care and Petti Pest Control were recognized as WorkWave’s newest customers that have “felt a valuable impact from its solutions.”
• Quarterback Award: Matt Appel of Blue Sky Pest Control, Derek Barmer of Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Toni Norris of Lawntech, Kelly Porter of Blue Beetle Pest Control and Aaron Workman of Greenleaf Pest Control were recognized for excelling in internal management of WorkWave’s solutions and achieving operational success.
• Team Player Award: Best Lawn Care was recognized for achieving success while partnering with multiple WorkWave solutions.

BASF Names Barbara Aguiar Director P&SS Business Management, North America

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Barbara Aguiar was named director, Professional & Specialty Solutions (P&SS) Business Management, North America, BASF, effective Feb. 1. She succeeds Stephanie Jensen, who recently moved into a new role as vice president, Global Strategic Marketing Insecticides.

Aguiar was previously director, P&SS Global Marketing and Business Development, where she provided leadership to strategy creation, portfolio management, developing the global P&SS marketing community and driving business development projects, including third-party negotiations, the company said.

Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Aguiar holds a master’s degree in international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a master of business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Aguiar has been with BASF for 14 years. Prior to joining the P&SS global marketing team, Aguiar worked in the areas of communications, branding, industry relations and leadership engagement.

“The P&SS business unit is a unique and dynamic part of BASF Agricultural Solutions, with some of the most innovative and passionate customers,” said Aguiar. “I look forward to meeting with our customers in person in the coming weeks and months.”

New Firm White Mantis Consultants Introduces Technical Training

ALLENTOWN, N.J. — Jeffrey White recently announced the opening of his consulting firm, White Mantis Consultants.

“White Mantis Consultants is really striving to challenge the way the pest management industry trains its employees, especially new hires,” White said. “So many companies lack consistent and replicable processes to train new hires and instead rely on their managers to share their wisdom with the newly hired personnel. While I understand the approach, there can be a lack of consistency with it. This approach is too reliant on our managers, who are already dealing with too many tasks to address, and what happens if the manager or other personnel gets sick or cannot perform the required training of the newly hired individual?”

White Mantis Consultants strives to design training programs that include recorded presentations, training videos and documents that assist a pest management company in training newly hired employees.

White Mantis plans on delivering content in a format that resonates with the individuals being hired, White said.

“The pest management industry needs content that isn’t just accurate, but is delivered in smaller, bite-size pieces that are easier to digest for the individuals we are hiring,” he said.

White Mantis also will provide in-person training, evaluations and quality assurance checks of services, as well as consultation on problem accounts.

For more information, visit www.whitemantis.net.

Pelsis Acquires Brandenburg, Names New CEO, CCO

KNARESBOROUGH, U.K. — In January, global pest control technology company Pelsis Group acquired Brandenburg, a manufacturer of flying and biting insect control systems, for an undisclosed sum.

Brandenburg has become a wholly owned subsidiary with all 110 employees, customers and suppliers transferring to Pelsis.

The deal marks the second acquisition made by Pelsis in the last two months. The first was the purchase of Madrid-based professional pest control product business Sanitrade and distributor Vesta Distribuciones in December.

Brandenburg, headquartered near Dudley in the West Midlands, also has operations in North America based out of its facility in Saint Charles, Mo. In addition, the company has a manufacturing plant in the Pune region of India.

Established more than 70 years ago, the company delivers its products to 140 countries through an international distributor network.

Following the acquisition, Pelsis now has revenues approaching €200m ($229 million) and employs more than 700 people across 18 sites located throughout Western Europe, the U.S. and India.

Brandenburg Founder and Chief Executive Mathew Kaye said, “It has been a long and rewarding journey to have built Brandenburg into the company it is today.

“We feel that our business is ready for the next stage in its journey. Joining the Pelsis Group presents a great opportunity for deep collaboration and further investment in product innovation. Ultimately, it improves our ability to grow and develop our business to serve our customers even better. We are very excited about the future.”

Pelsis purchased Lyon-based pest control supplier Edialux France last February and California-based bird control product manufacturer Bird-B-Gone last May.

Pelsis Group Chief Executive Derek Whitworth said, “We are very pleased to be bringing Brandenburg into the Pelsis Group family of brands, as the business shares similar goals, values and aspirations for the future. Operationally, it fits very well within our strategy of adding companies that are leaders in their category which can help to deliver synergies for our group.

“We see great potential for ongoing growth opportunities, and there are many clear benefits of working together that will provide customers with enhanced levels of product innovation, service and support.”

Pelsis was advised on the legal and financial aspects of the Brandenburg acquisition by DLA Piper and EY, respectively. For more information on Pelsis, visit www.pelsis.com.

PELSIS APPOINTMENTS. The appointment of Derek Whitworth as interim CEO of Pelsis Group was confirmed by the company’s board.

Whitworth previously served as CEO of TMD Friction, a global automotive tier one supplier, from 2005 to 2012, and acted as executive chairman of automotive remanufacturer BBB Industries from 2014 to 2017.

He is currently executive chairman of silicone release liner manufacturer Loparex BV, and of laundry solutions and air vending services provider CSC Serviceworks, among other appointments. He has experience in the improvement of service and manufacturing businesses and the digitalization of large- and medium-sized organizations.

The board also agreed to the appointment of Jan-Derck van Karnebeek as Pelsis’ interim chief commercial officer. He is a 19-year veteran of The Heineken Company, culminating in six years as the global CCO, and was responsible for the development and rollout of its digital commercial strategy, launching two e-commerce platforms.

Pelsis Chairman Martin Schwab said, “I am very pleased to welcome Derek and Jan-Derck to Pelsis and look forward to accelerating the development of the company as a major international player in the global pest control industry. The board of Pelsis would like to thank Andrew Milner for his impressive work in building the company since he joined in 2019.”