[News]

Pest Control and Public Health Expo Mexico 2011 a Success

Chris Foster, president and COO of GIE Media (parent company of PCT), discusses the present and future market conditions of the pest control industry.

MEXICO CITY — Pest Control and Public Health Expo Mexico 2011 — a joint endeavor carried out by pest control professionals, representatives of academia, researchers and other industry leaders — was held Aug. 4-6, at the Centro Banamex in Mexico City. More than 950 people attended the event, including visitors from Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Israel and Costa Rica. Additionally, exhibitors from the United States, Canada, China and Mexico were on hand to show off their latest technology. The symposium was divided into four blocks:

• The future of the pest control industry — vision and policy
• Regulation and innovation in Integrated Pest Management and green options
• What is the role of pest control in food safety?
• Challenges and opportunities for vector control in Latin America

In light of recent global food-borne illness outbreaks, it was understandable that the most well attended session (314 attendees) was "What is the role of pest control in food safety?"

The United States was well represented at the conference. Speakers and topics from U.S. speakers included:

• Jay Bruesch, technical director, Plunkett's Pest Control, Fridley, Minn. — "Integrated Pest Management in Food Plants and Sensitive Areas" and "Green Pest Control"
• Derrick Lastinger, Georgia Department of Agriculture — "Recent Regulatory Actions in the U.S. Pest Control Industry"
• Chris Foster, president and COO of GIE Media (parent company of PCT magazine) — "A Market Analysis of the Pest Control Industry — Present and Future"

Other speakers included distributors, wholesale representatives of pest control products, food safety practitioners, researchers and pest control product manufacturers. Additionally, the conference provided many networking opportunities and an exhibit hall filled with the latest pest control products. Sponsors included Univar, BASF and A.M.Roma y Cia. S.A de C.V.
 

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In Memoriam: James Augustine

OLATHE, KAN. — James "Jim" Augustine, longtime owner of Augustine Exterminators based in Overland Park, Kan., died Aug. 16 at age 77.

Augustine's involvement in the pest control industry dates back to 1959, when he became manager of Lystad's Exterminating, Wichita, Kan. He managed the company for four years before serving as president of Mission Exterminating, a role he held for 3½ years.

Augustine and his wife Margaret started their company during the summer of 1966, initially working from their home. What started as a one-person operation is now a large family-owned business that employs more than 30 people.

Augustine was president of the Kansas Pest Control Association in 1973. He also served on the KPCA board of directors and was inducted into the KPCA Hall of Fame in 2000.

Augustine is survived by Margaret, his wife of 58 years, five children, 17 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Abdallah Shriner's Children's Hospital, 815 Market St., Galveston, TX 77550. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.johnsoncountychapel.com.
 

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NPMA Names 2011 Women of Excellence Award Recipient

FAIRFAX, VA. — The National Pest Management Association named Jennifer Leggett, president of Lindsey Pest Services, this year's recipient of the Women of Excellence Award, presented by Orkin. Leggett will be honored by peers for her numerous accomplishments and industry contributions on Oct. 21 during PestWorld 2011 in New Orleans.

"Jennifer has an incredible energy for and dedication to the industry," said Rob Lederer, NPMA's executive vice president. "She has always demonstrated a strong commitment to leading by example and an unselfish passion for helping others succeed.

"NPMA is proud to join with Orkin through The Women of Excellence Award to celebrate the contributions of women to the pest management profession," he added.

The international honor was open to women across the profession. NPMA received numerous nominations for talented professionals who make notable contributions to the development and growth of the profession and other women.

Leggett first became a service technician in 1987 and bought her company in 1992. Since that time, she has been active in the industry through participation in state, national and international initiatives to advance the industry and its professionals. Examples of her involvement include her current position as chair of NPMA's Professional Women in Pest Management group, service as the president of the Florida Pest Management Association, leadership in establishing a coordinated approach to industry training in Florida, service on the Pest Control Enforcement Advisory Council of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and participation in several international training task forces.

"Orkin is proud to support the Women of Excellence award for the third consecutive year," said John Wilson, president, Orkin USA. "We are pleased to highlight the extraordinary accomplishments of women in the pest management industry."

 

Date Book

Send your announcement at least 14 weeks in advance to jdorsch@giemedia.com. For additional dates, visit www.pctonline.com/events. Nov. 1-3: University of Kentucky 41st Annual Pest Control Short Course, Lexington, Ky. Contact: Dr. M.F. Potter, 859/257-5955 or e-mail dthorpe@uky.edu. Nov. 2-4: 35th Annual Field Day and Workshop in Entomology, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fla. Contact J. Peters 850/599-3912 or visit www.famu.org/ent/fieldday.php. Nov. 13-16: Entomological Society of America's Entomology 2011 meeting, Reno, Nev. Visit www.entsoc.org/am/cm/register/index or call 301/731-4535. Nov. 14-18: University of Florida-Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center's 2011 School of Structural Fumigation (including bed bugs). Contact: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fumigation. Dec. 5-7: Mallis Handbook Technical Forum, Orlando, Fla. Contact: www.mallishandbook.com/forum or 800/456-0707. Dec. 7-9: NPMA Lawn Care Summit, Aventura, Fla. Contact: NPMA, 703/352-6762 or visit www.npmapestworld.org. Dec. 7-9: ServSuite University, Embassy Suites Orlando, Fla. Contact: sales@servsuite.net, call 614/874-4300 or visit http://servbasic.com.

 

Hammels Create New Penn State Scholarship

READING, PA. — Penn State University announced the creation of the Dena and Victor Hammel Trustee Scholarship at Penn State Berks to assist students with financial need. In addition to the Dena and Victor Hammel Trustee Scholarship, the couple has supported Penn State students through gifts to the Renaissance Fund, Penn State Hillel and the Smeal College of Business. Victor Hammel has also served as a member of the Penn State Berks advisory board.

"We certainly have a soft spot for Penn State," Victor Hammel said. "We've been fortunate in our careers, and for those who may not be as fortunate, we wanted to provide the opportunity to come to the University. My wife attended Penn State on a partial scholarship, so we know how difficult it can be to afford a college degree. Now, we're able to help students receive the same great Penn State education we did."

Victor Hammel graduated from Penn State in 1967 with a degree in accounting. He rose through the ranks at J.C. Ehrlich Company to become president, growing it into the largest privately owned pest control company in the country when it was sold in 2006. He currently serves as its chairman in a part-time capacity. Dena Hammel earned her degree in speech pathology and audiology from Penn State in 1968 and served as a dialysis social worker in the Reading, Pa., area until her retirement.

The impact of the Hammels' latest gift to Penn State Berks will be doubled through the Trustee Matching Scholarship Program. In this philanthropic model, Penn State matches 5 percent of the total pledge or gift at the time a Trustee Scholarship is created, making funds available immediately for student awards. This University match, which is approximately equal to the endowment's annual spendable income, continues in perpetuity, doubling the support available for students with financial need.
 

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Software Training Conference Highlights High-Tech Tools

COLUMBUS, OHIO — ServicePro.net, developers of ServSuite.net pest control industry software (http://www.pestcontrolsoftware.net/) and ServBasic, service industry software (http://servbasic.com/), will hold a panel discussing the relationship between the use of technology and running a successful business panel during this year's ServSuite University. The 2011 ServSuite University will be held Dec. 7-9, at the Embassy Suites Orlando, Fla.

ServSuite University is an annual three-day seminar allowing business owners, office managers and field managers to learn everything they need to know about the ServSuite.net software solution, allowing them to run their pest control organization at the highest level, the company said. According to ServicePro.net, participants of the ServSuite University learn from ServicePro.net speakers as well as other PCO operators and managers.

"Technology is an expectation of consumers in the marketplace today," observed Andy Deering, COO of ServicePro.net. "Clients feel a sense of satisfaction when their service company operates under the cutting edge."

To find out more about ServicePro.net's ServSuite University or about the ServSuite software, e-mail sales@servsuite.net or call 614/874-4300.

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Bird-B-Gone’s Donoho Builds Children’s Refuge in Sierra Leone 

MISSION VIEJO, CALIF. — When Bruce Donoho, owner of Bird-B-Gone, traveled to Sierra Leone in 2010 to meet Alfred, an orphan he and his wife Julie had sponsored, he had no idea of the lasting impact it would have.

What has unfolded for Donoho and Bird-B-Gone since then has affected numerous lives both at home and in the West African nations he visited.

Donoho recently returned from his second trip to Liberia and Sierra Leone, where he completed one major philanthropic project, building a children's dormitory, and set plans in motion for others. The impoverished nations continue to suffer from the devastating effects of extended rebel wars that destroyed much of their infrastructures and left many children orphaned. With unemployment rates topping 80 percent, most families live in poverty and malnutrition is common.

The Donohos first heard about Alfred through Children of the Nations International (COTN), a charitable organization pledging medical aid, safety, nutrition and education to the children of these and other nations in need. After sponsoring the child for three years, the Donohos wanted to meet Alfred and check out the credentials of the organization they'd backed.

"This started out as, if we can just help or save one child that doesn't have a lot of hope, it's worth it," Donoho said. "It's turned out to be even bigger than that."

Donoho lived in Liberia for a short time when he was young, but says the country is in worse shape today, with the prevalence of poverty, malnutrition, disease and lack of education.

After the first fact-finding mission, Donoho researched ways to make a lasting difference in both countries, dedicating money to build the dorm in Sierra Leone and funding a feasibility study in Liberia in hopes of building an orphanage there. Now the first project has come to fruition, a brick dormitory that can house as many as 30 children. "It's a concrete example of what we can do," Donoho said.

While bricks are a relative scarcity in these West African nations, the guesthouse is constructed of tongue-in-groove style bricks made onsite by a specialized machine Bird-B-Gone purchased. The idea for the machine came from Chris Clark, founder of COTN, who traveled to West Africa with him.

The portable device manufactures bricks using native materials and rocks. "It has worked out really well," Donoho says. "Most of the buildings they have are mud and thatch," said Donoho, "so this is one of their first brick buildings there, and it's from the machine that we purchased for them." Now the village is building other structures with the machine. The bricks also can be sold, Donoho noted. "It's kind of an opportunity not only to build their own things but to create some sort of revenue for the orphanage," Donoho observed.

Donoho's companion trip to Liberia wasn't quite as productive, where red tape hampered efforts to secure land and permits. "We've been able to get a faster response from the situation in Sierra Leone," Donoho observed. "It's already been established and they have a continuing need."

Donoho admits he's not much of a fund-raiser when it comes to financing efforts like these, so Bird-B-Gone paid for the project. But his colleagues got involved anyway. Some employees and industry colleagues have since sponsored children of their own. And Bird-B-Gone employees recently volunteered at three COTN-sponsored events, packaging thousands of meals for shipment to West Africa, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Witnessing the benefits of their assistance upon those who need it has been life-changing for himself as well as his employees, Donoho observed. "It has definitely enriched their lives," he reflected. "As is often the case with situations like this where you're serving, the person that serves is often the one that's the most blessed."

What's more Donoho now identifies COTN as an organization that's truly fulfilling its mission. "We've found in Children of the Nations the real deal," Donoho said. "It's really a joy to be hooked up with somebody that's actually helping people."

Donoho says the ongoing experience also ties in with Bird-B-Gone's long-standing motto. "We've always said that it's more than bird control products; it's faith, family and friends," said Donoho. "It gives us an opportunity to actualize that, to actually make a difference."

Donoho plans to return to West Africa in early 2012 to further the cause. Ideas include building a medical clinic or church. He also hasn't ruled out launching philanthropic efforts at home, particularly in light of recent news stories indicating a rise in U.S. poverty. "We're always looking for a new area, and so recently it's just becoming apparent that there's a lot of need in the United States too."

Being in business in these uncertain times, owners need to look beyond the bottom line and step up to worthwhile causes, Donoho says. "Everybody needs help. And so, in a small way, we're doing that."

To support these and similar efforts, visit COTN's website, www.cotni.org.
 

Comings & Goings

If your company has added new personnel, send a photo and press release to jdorsch@giemedia.com. The Steritech Group, Charlotte, N.C., announced the appointment of Steven Tsambalieros as president, The Steritech Group Corp. in Canada. Tsambalieros replaces Dave Robinson, who is retiring after 11 years as president. Tsambalieros will report to The Steritech Group's president and chief operating officer, Richard Ennis. ServiceMaster appointed Roger A. Cregg senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer. He will report to Hank Mullany, ServiceMaster's chief executive officer. Previously Cregg was executive vice president and CFO of PulteGroup, the publicly owned parent company of Pulte Homes. Bell Laboratories promoted Mark Westover to vice president of global sales, melding together Bell's international and domestic sales teams into one cohesive unit. In this new position, Westover, who served as Bell's national sales manager for the past eight years, will continue to manage the company's U.S. professional sales team, in addition to directing its international sales representatives. In a related move, Bell technical sales representative Steve Sullivan has been promoted to national account manager, supporting Bell's national accounts' customers in the United States. Roland Rhodes, president of Rhodes Chemical Co., Kansas City, Kan., was recognized as a 40-year member of the Entomological Society of America. ESA recognized Rhodes for his loyalty and long-term support to both the society and the industry. Mark Male joined PermaTreat Pest Control as executive vice president. Male will serve as chief operating officer for PermaTreat reporting directly to Jack Broome, president. Skyline Pest Solutions & Home Inspections of Marietta, Ga., hired Chuck Gates as director of quality control. Gates brings 44 years of industry experience and expertise, 27 of which were spent starting and growing his own business. Anthony M. Silva Jr. of Lynn, Mass., joined Modern Pest Services of Brunswick, Maine, as bed bug canine handler. Silva will lead Sherlock, Modern's new bed bug dog serving customers in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. An experienced dog handler, Silva has spent the past year in Kabul and Kandahar, Afghanistan, working with explosive detection dogs.

New Jersey Association Celebrates 70th Anniversary, Hosts Annual Clambake

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The New Jersey Pest Management Association celebrated its 70th anniversary and held its 64th annual Clambake on August 18, a one-day meeting traditionally held on the Cook College campus of Rutgers University that includes clinics and a trade show, and is billed as one of the East Coast's largest industry gatherings.

Left: Cooper Pest Solutions’ Phil Cooper (center) presents plaques to Leadership Class graduates (left, Russ Sieb and Sean Wain, right).

"From the very beginning, the association's founders put an emphasis on educating members by calling on entomologists and other scientists to address its monthly meetings regarding the variety of insect and rodent pests with which they had to contend," said Executive Director Leonard Douglen. As the emphasis on educating members grew, the association established its annual, day-long conference of seminars.

This year's standing-room-only crowd of 527 attendees included 49 exhibitors and filled the main auditorium of Rutgers University's Cook College to hear Terminix's Fred Strickland's presentation, "Training for Pest Control from the Customer Perspective." Then consultant Jeff Tucker discussed the topics of stink bugs and fleas. Rick Vetter entertained the crowd with "Spider Bite Paranoia," and Dr. Stuart Mitchell covered the "Physics Behind Effective Fly Control."

At concurrent WDO sessions, Janet Kintz-Early spoke on wood-destroying beetle considerations, followed by attorney Greg Crosslin, who covered WDI lawsuit prevention. Consultant Doug Mampe also delivered a presentation on handling subterranean termite retreatments.

The afternoon session featured Dini Miller, who spoke on bed bugs, and Robert Corrigan, whose presentation was "The Future of Pest Control."

In past years, the association has sponsored a "Cockroach Derby," pitting Madagascar hissing roaches against one another. This year the association planned to host its new "Doggone Bed Bug Contest," with a team of bed bug sniffing dogs racing technicians to find bed bugs.
 

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Allergy Technologies Awards $100,000 Grant to Ohio State

AMBLER, PA. — Allergy Technologies, manufacturer of ActiveGuard mattress liners, is sponsoring a new bed bug research program at The Ohio State University with an initial grant of more than $100,000.

This new endeavor will examine the importance and effects of specific strategies relating to innovative bed bug treatment applications. Based on mutual agreement between The Ohio State University and Allergy Technologies, the grant also includes a second-year renewal opportunity.

According to Ohio State entomologist Susan Jones, the grant provided by Allergy Technologies will allow Jones and her urban entomology team to pursue sorely needed bed bug-related research leading to implementation of new and improved strategies for controlling bed bugs.

"This grant will enable us to embark upon important and in-depth research on product efficacy, treatment protocols and application methods as we work to control bed bugs," Jones said. "With the current emergence of bed bug infestations, Allergy Technologies' sponsorship will allow us to pursue fundamental lab and applied field research. This programmatic research is geared toward investigating novel strategies in bed bug treatment leading to improved and effective solutions."

"We are proud to be able to support this university research," said Gus Carey, managing director of Allergy Technologies. "This grant evidences Allergy Technologies' continued commitment to developing bona fide research-based treatments aimed directly toward the bed bug scourge that is blanketing our country."
 

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Copesan Receives Supplier Food Safety Award

Left to right: Scott Brooks, director of global quality assurance, YUM! Brands; Ellen Block, director of quality assurance, Copesan; Deni Naumann, president, Copesan; and Dr. Michael Liewen, vice president of global quality assurance, YUM! Brands.

MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS. — Copesan Services was recognized by YUM! Brands in May when it received the 2010 STAR Supplier Food Safety Award during the 12th Annual STAR Awards ceremony held in Dallas, Texas. YUM! Brands represents Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, Long John Silver's and A&W and annually awards an exclusive group of vendors its highest honor: the STAR designation, which stands for Supplier Tracking Assessment and Recognition. The award recognizes exceptional performance in a number of categories including innovation, quality, value and service, technology, reliability and account management. Only 22 vendors, representing the top 3 percent of YUM! suppliers internationally, were honored at this year's STAR awards gala with Copesan as the first pest management provider to receive this recognition.

"As a client-focused service provider, we are absolutely thrilled to be recognized by YUM! Brands with its STAR award," said Deni Naumann, president, who accepted the crystal statue on behalf of Copesan. "It's extremely rewarding to know from our client's assessment and measurement that our unique combination of high touch account management and consistent, quality service delivered with local expertise, reaches beyond YUM! Brand's expectations as acknowledged with its STAR recognition. I am grateful, appreciative and proud of our Copesan service providers and staff who have earned this honor through their daily efforts to provide premier pest management solutions."
 

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ServiceMaster Promotes Terminix's Steve Good

MEMPHIS, TENN. — The ServiceMaster Company in September announced two key appointments in its largest brands, TruGreen and Terminix.

Bill Sublette was named vice president of sales of TruGreen and chief sales officer. Steve Good succeeds Sublette as vice president of sales at Terminix. Both men will continue to report to Tom Brackett, Terminix president and chief operating officer, who is also serving as interim president of TruGreen.

"One of the key strategies ServiceMaster has identified for rapidly growing our company is sharing talent to help accelerate best-practice sharing across all of our businesses," said Hank Mullany, ServiceMaster chief executive officer. "Together, these moves demonstrate ServiceMaster's commitment to this strategy."

Good, who joined Terminix in 1996, most recently served as senior vice president of business development. He will oversee all Terminix residential and commercial sales programs, while continuing to lead new business development activities and manage key third-party relationships with strategic partners in retail, banking, real estate and product development.

"Steve is a highly strategic, growth-focused marketing executive with a broad range of experience in sales, direct marketing, interactive media and business development," said Brackett.

In his new role, Sublette will oversee all TruGreen residential and commercial sales programs, as well as the TruGreen contact centers in Dallas and Tampa. Sublette will also continue to lead the Terminix contact centers in Memphis, Dallas and Atlanta, providing an essential link to share best practices between ServiceMaster's two large branch-based businesses.
 

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Elin Miller Joins Marrone Bio Innovations' Board

DAVIS, CALIF. — Marrone Bio Innovations, a provider of natural pest management products, appointed Elin D. Miller to its board of directors.

"(Elin's) broad knowledge and management experience in both the business and regulatory aspects of the agricultural industry are very well-known and respected," said Pam Marrone, founder and CEO of the firm.

Miller recently served as vice chair of the board of directors for biopesticide company Vestaron Corporation in Kalamazoo, Mich. From 2006-09, she accepted a presidential appointment as regional administrator of the EPA in Region 10. Prior to that Miller led Arysta Lifesciences as president and CEO of North America and Australasia. She also has held various leadership positions with Dow AgroSciences/Dow Chemical.
 

PCO News

Please send press releases about your firm to jdorsch@giemedia.com.   Bug Doctor Termite & Pest Control/Bird Doctor Nationwide, based in Paramus, N.J., recently earned NPMA's Quality Pro certification. Bug Doctor services clients in the tri-state area, and Bird Doctor Nationwide services clients throughout the United States. Saline Pest Control in Taylor, Ariz., merged with Western Exterminator Company. Former owner Don Saline has remained with the operation as Western's service center manager. Black Pest Prevention’s  Jon Black (left) and Mike Davis (right); Willard Termite & Pest Control’s Steve Willard is center. Black Pest Prevention, Charlotte, N.C., acquired the assets of Willard Termite & Pest Control located in Charleston, S.C. HomeTeam Pest Defense headquartered in Dallas, Texas, earned the "Partners of Choice Award" from David Weekley Homes. The company received an "A" rating for quality in David Weekley Homes' ongoing Supplier Evaluation System. HomeTeam is one of seven companies to earn the "A" quality rating this year. Employees of Arrow Exterminators, Atlanta, once again supported the March of Dimes. This year's campaign raised more than $7,500 through contributions, car washes, a silent auction and other fundraising activities. The campaign culminated with the 2011 March for Babies event, a 5.3-mile walk through Atlanta. Seventy of Arrow's team members, family members and friends participated. Guardian Pest Solutions added certified bed bug scent detection dogs Shelby and Cooper to the Guardian team. Shelby will cover northern Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Cooper will cover southern Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois.