ServiceMaster Appoints Deni Naumann Interim President of Terminix Commercial

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — ServiceMaster Global Holdings announced it has named Deni Naumann interim president of Terminix Commercial, following the departure of Kelly Kambs. Naumann also continues to serve as Copesan president.

Kambs, who joined the company in February 2018, led several efforts as part of the Terminix transformation initiative, including the separation of Terminix Commercial from the Terminix Residential business unit. “I want to thank Kelly for her contributions to the company and wish her the best,” said ServiceMaster CEO Nik Varty.

Naumann has nearly three decades of managerial experience, including 12 years as president of Copesan Services, which was acquired by ServiceMaster in March 2018. Under her leadership, Copesan grew to include more than 85 independent local pest management service providers and to directly own two companies: Wil-Kil Pest Control, based in Sun Prairie, Wis., and Holder’s Pest Solutions, based in Houston, Texas.

Naumann joined ServiceMaster at the time of the acquisition and assumed responsibility for building a strong Terminix/Copesan National Accounts business. She played a pivotal role in the successful integration with ServiceMaster, and has continued to lead Copesan since the acquisition while also overseeing Terminix Commercial and Copesan National Accounts operations. She will continue to lead National Accounts while serving as interim leader of the Commercial business unit and will be integral in the search for a new president for Terminix Commercial.

“Deni has done a great job of helping us position our commercial pest business for long-term growth, and we have learned a great deal from her about delivering the highest-quality pest management solutions to sophisticated commercial customers,” said Varty. “Her strong leadership and commitment to people have been vital to our integration of Copesan and the transformation of the commercial business over the last several months. She truly embodies the We Serve, We Care, We Deliver philosophy we strive for in our organization.”

S.C. DPR Releases Memo About Flooding Impact on Termite Treatments

COLUMBIA, S.C. — As the hurricane season wrapped up across the Carolinas, the South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released a memorandum to South Carolina homeowners and licensed pest control operators underlining the impact of sustained weather events — such as recent flooding — on termite control treatments.

The guidance document was created to assist the general public and the industry with questions and offer guidance in assessing whether a structure will require retreatment for termite protection.

DPR advised that while flooding alone is not cause for retreatment, homeowners may need retreatment if they have soil erosion, displacement or shift around the foundation of their home, or if significant sediment has been deposited around the home. Homeowners in flooded areas were encouraged to contact their pest management professional for an inspection.

“As a locally owned and operated company, Terminix Service is not only a termite and pest control provider, we are neighbors who understand the emotional and financial loss many have experienced from the recent flooding,” said Kevin Hathorne, technical director at Terminix Service.

As a way to give back to the community, the company offered a free inspection to residents to determine if the termite treatments around their homes may have been compromised following flooding. Sources: Terminix Service and S.C. DPR

Charles Clark, Founder of Clark Pest Control, Dies

LODI, Calif. — Charles Clark, founder Clark Pest Control, died Sept. 15, at his home in Lodi, Calif., surrounded by his family. He was 91.

Clark was born in Stockton, Calif., in 1927, and grew up there (as well as in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland), during the Great Depression. In January, 1945, having turned 18, he joined the United States Navy, where he served in the South Pacific during the intense, final months of World War II.

Returning to Stockton after the war, Clark launched the company that bears his name in 1950. Beginning with a single truck, Clark eventually grew his business into the largest privately held pest control firm west of the Mississippi. One of his proudest accomplishments was the many jobs he created, which made it possible for so many people to support not only themselves but their families.

Always a progressive-minded businessman, his firm says Clark is credited with helping to develop the modern-day pest management industry. He was appointed by California Governor Jerry Brown to serve two terms as a member of the Structural Pest Control Board in 1979 and 1982, and recently received the Harvey Logan Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC).

Clark, who was known to his family, friends and acquaintances as “Charlie,” was a modest and unpretentious man. He had a gift for storytelling, and a lifelong enthusiasm for reading and learning new things. In later years, he and wife Shirlene traveled extensively with friends, and listed journeys to such places as Istanbul, London, New Orleans, Alaska, the pyramids of Egypt, and the island of his ancestors, Ireland, as favorite destinations.

A decades-long member of Woodbridge Country Club, Clark was a low-handicap golfer for much of his life, as well as an avid fly-fisherman and outdoorsman who loved equally the pre-dawn serenity of a duck-blind and a boisterous hand of gin rummy with his pals. As a boy he witnessed Babe Ruth play an exhibition baseball contest, and remained not only a lifelong aficionado of the game, but a resolute San Francisco Giants fan.

Clark also was a philanthropist who donated to a wide array of organizations ranging from Ducks Unlimited to the Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services of Lodi to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Charlie Clark leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Shirlene; four sons, Charles III “Trey” (Kathleen), Jeffrey, Joseph (Darlene) and Terrence (Toni); six grandchildren, Franklin, Matt, Kelli, Harper, Charlie Grace and Katie Rose, and his brother William; as well as Trista Stanley and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends. Clark also leaves the company he built, loved and stayed active in until the final year of his life.

Dan Carrothers to Lead FMC Professional Solutions

PHILADELPHIA — FMC Professional Solutions, a business unit of FMC Corporation, recently named Dan Carrothers commercial director for North American Professional Solutions.

“Dan is a seasoned leader with a track record of success in the turf, ornamental and structural pest segments,” said Zack Zaki, director, FMC Global Specialty Solutions. “Dan brings deep expertise in growing business segments, launching new innovations and developing post-patent strategies in the specialty market.”

Carrothers is responsible for managing all commercial aspects of the business. His previous roles include managing the U.S. pest control business for BASF and leading the U.S. T&O business for Bayer.

“I have always had a lot of respect for FMC,” Carrothers said. “It’s an exciting time to be joining the organization.”

FMC Professional Solutions develops and markets insecticides, herbicides and fungicides for the structural pest, turf and ornamental industries.

Joseph R. and Mary W. Wilson Endowed Urban Entomology Professorship Established

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — In June, Joe and Mary Wilson, of Fredericksburg, Va., established the Joseph R. and Mary W. Wilson Endowed Urban Entomology Professorship in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Wilson is the former owner of PermaTreat Pest Control, a leading pest control company located in Central and Northern Virginia.

The Wilson Urban Entomology Professor will lead entomology research efforts with the goal of discovering new and innovative ways to fight urban pests, such as bed bugs and cockroaches, and share that information with the public.

“We felt like this was an opportunity to give back to an institution that helped build our business,” Joe Wilson told a local newspaper about his desire to make a gift. “Our industry is very closely tied to Virginia Tech. They have provided most of the training and instruction for pest control officers like myself.”

Tim Kring, head of the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology, added, “This gift is truly transformational to our program at Virginia Tech. There is a void in basic foundational research for urban pest management. We want to expand our program by adding a research component to our toolbox in order to pioneer next-step treatment options for indoor pests. No insecticide lasts forever. So, coming up with a new tool requires research.”

A native of Buena Vista, Va., Wilson got into the business in 1965 when he was selling pest control services door-to-door for Orkin. He moved through the ranks of the company, eventually becoming the regional vice president of Orkin’s Midwest Region overseeing 54 branches in 13 states.

In 1982, Wilson was visiting with a friend who started PermaTreat Pest Control in Fredericksburg, Va.; the friend offered to sell the company to Wilson. Since moving back to Fredericksburg, Wilson has been involved in a host of civic activities and urban development projects, including building the Wilson building downtown, which has led to other commercial development in the downtown area. He is one of the founding members of the Rappahannock Rotary Club and he has long supported animal-welfare programs, including PermaTreat’s adopt-a-pet ads that appear in newspapers across the Commonwealth. He was a Fredericksburg City Councilman from 2000 to 2004 and named Virginia’s Small Business Person of the Year in 1987.

Wilson is also an active member and past president of the Virginia Pest Management Association, as well as a member of the National Pest Management Association. He was instrumental in the founding of the Virginia Pest Management Association Research Fund, which provided funding to create the Dodson Urban Pest Management Laboratory at Virginia Tech.

NPMA Announces Staff Promotions

FAIRFAX, Va. — The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) announced a series of internal promotions. Dominique Stumpf, NPMA’s chief executive officer, said promoting team members from within is a key part of the association’s culture.

“Recognizing leadership qualities and tenure, as well as strong relationships with our members and the industry, provide an opportunity for growth within the NPMA organization,” Stumpf said. “These staffers exemplify the strong qualities we need to grow as an organization and support the pest management industry.”

Andy Architect, former chief industry relations officer who has served with NPMA for 14 years in a variety of positions, has been promoted to chief of staff. Architect is an integral part of the executive team for NPMA and will continue to serve as the conduit for NPMA’s strategic industry partners, as well as lead the public policy, QualityPro and technical teams. In his new role, Architect also will be responsible for overseeing marketing, membership and NPMA’s state association management teams.

Megan Moloney, who has served with NPMA for eight years as former meetings manager, has been promoted to director of meetings. Moloney recently received the CMP (certified meeting planner) designation, which is only awarded after rigorous training and testing. In addition to her role in assisting with all national meetings and the annual convention, Moloney will be responsible for exhibit management and regional conferences.

Jake Plevelich, who has served with NPMA for three years as the public policy manager, has been promoted to public policy director. In his new role, Plevelich will be responsible for overseeing a growing SPAR (State Policy Affairs Representative) program, taking a more active role in managing the NPMA PestPAC, and fostering new relationships with like-minded trade groups and Capitol Hill offices.

Registration Open for 83^rd Purdue Pest Management Conference in January

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 83rd annual Purdue Pest Control Conference will be held Jan. 7-9, 2019, at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.

This year’s conference features the latest research findings and field observations from renowned industry speakers, as well as an exhibit hall filled with the latest product innovations from industry suppliers.

Some of the speakers and topics include:

• German Cockroach: Assessment-Based Pest Management, Dini Miller, Virginia Tech
• Using Video and Other Electronics to Measure Rodent Populations, Claudia Reigel, City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite & Rodent Control Board
• New Technologies in Rodent Management, Bobby Corrigan, RMC Consulting
• WDO: WDI, Inspections & Research, Ed Freytag, City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite & Rodent Control Board
• Future of Termite Control, Bob Davis, BASF
• Using Heat, Mark Sheperdigian, Rose Pest Solutions
• Materials and Methods Update, Gene White, Rentokil
• The Insect Trifecta: Pests Sharing Space, Jeff McGovern, The Resource Shop
• Back to Basics with Safety, Scott Robbins, Action Pest Control
• Ant Update: Odorous House, Pavement & Carpenter Ants, Mike Bentley, NPMA
• Death, Taxes and Flies, Mark VanderWerp, Rose Pest Solutions
• IPM in Sensitive Government Accounts, Kathy Heinsohn, American Pest
• Going Green: Products & Practices to Meet Consumer Demands, Darren Van Steenwyk, Clark Pest Control, and Mike Bentley, NPMA
• Urban Wildlife: A Growing Concern, Jared Miller, Varment Guard

Register or call 866/515-0023. For additional information contact Holly Fletcher-Timmons at 765/494-5856 or htimmons@purdue.edu.

Rentokil Steritech Acquires Dugas Pest Control

BATON ROUGE, La. — Rentokil Steritech acquired Dugas Pest Control, based in Baton Rouge, La. The deal closed on Sept. 1, and terms were not disclosed.

Dugas Pest Control was one of the largest independently owned pest control businesses in Louisiana, with 34 employees servicing Southeast Louisiana. The company was owned and operated by Laura Simpson, who has led the business since 1996 after succeeding her father Doug MacPherson, who purchased the company in 1973.

Simpson has been an active association member at the state and national levels, serving as president of both the Louisiana Pest Management Association and the National Pest Management Association. In May, LIPCA, an insurance company owned by and geared to pest management professionals, appointed Simpson as its president.

Simpson told PCT the time was right to sell. “My husband, Floyd, had already retired and he was anxious for me to [retire]. I’m working part time [for Rentokil] for now until end of year, and then I will be gone, but I will remain active in the industry to some degree through LIPCA. I certainly don’t intend to fade off into the sunset as far as the pest control industry is concerned.”

Simpson’s son, Jeremy Clark, is the third generation to work for Dugas Pest Control and he currently is the company’s general manager. He is staying on with Rentokil as district manager.

Simpson said she and Floyd are looking forward to traveling and spending time at their mountain home in Montana.

PCO M&A Specialists represented Dugas Pest Control in the transacation.

Agri-Turf Raises $78,000 for American Cancer Society

SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. — Agri-Turf Distributing’s 4^th Annual Charity Golf Tournament raised $78,000 for the American Cancer Society. The event was held on July 26 at the Tustin Ranch Golf Club in Tustin, Calif. Since it began in 2015, the tournament has raised more than $199,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Kristin Strauch, executive director of the American Cancer Society – Western Region said, “On behalf of cancer patients, and their families, I would like to thank you for your support of the American Cancer Society.

Agri-Turf President Rich Records attributes the success of the event to the generous support from the industry and local businesses. “We appreciate the tremendous support we received from industry and from the local business community. Working together we not only met our goal of raising $50,000 for the American Cancer Society, but surpassed it by $28,000,” he said.

Key sponsors of this year’s tournament included Bell Laboratories, Brandt Consolidated, MetroFlor, Paradigm and Tri-West.

Linda Stack Hughes and Ann Connor of Bell Laboratories, both daughters of the late Malcolm Stack for whom the tournament is named, came from Wisconsin to participate in the event. Hughes also spoke at the banquet immediately following the tournament.

All event proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society in its efforts to provide funding for leading cancer research and patient support services.

NCPMA to Offer A.C.E. Course, Exam During PCT School

RALEIGH, N.C. — Attendees of the 2019 Pest Control Technician’s (PCT) School will have the opportunity to take the Associate Certified Entomologist (A.C.E.) Review Class and Exam from the Entomological Society of America (ESA). The A.C.E. Review Course will be offered Jan. 28, from noon to 5 p.m. The A.C.E. exam will be administered on Jan. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer the A.C.E. training course and exam at the 2019 PCT School,” said Bruce Roberts, North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) president. “We are always looking for new educational and professional opportunities to offer to our members and are excited to expand our PCT School to provide our attendees with this extraordinary chance to enhance their careers.”

To take the A.C.E. exam, attendees must:

• Pay a fee of $355-$395 payable to the Entomological Society of America
• Receive prior approval by ESA
• Submit an A.C.E. Certification application by Dec. 24, 2018

A.C.E. application information can be found at www.entocert.org, and PCT School registration information can be found at www.ncpestmanagement.org.

The 2019 NCPMA PCT School will be held Jan. 27-31, 2019, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Durham. In addition to the A.C.E. course and exam, the PCT School will offer other exam opportunities, including the NCPMA WDIR Accreditation Training Program and the Structural Pest Control Certification Course.

Texas A&M Announces Urban Pest Management Conference and Workshop

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M University announced that the 73rd Texas A&M University Urban Pest Management Conference and Workshop will be held Jan. 16-18, 2019, at the Brazos Center in Bryan, Texas.

The keynote speaker will be rodentologist Dr. Bobby Corrigan. Corrigan serves as a consultant for multiple U.S. municipalities, has published more than 160 technical pest control articles, and has authored or co-authored multiple books and book chapters. He will address modern approaches to solving rodent infestations.

Dr. Ed Vargo (endowed chair and professor, urban entomology) and Dr. Robert Puckett (assistant professor and extension entomologist) will lead the conference that routinely attracts about 400 attendees from Texas and surrounding states.

This year’s topics will include pesticide safety; weed management; termite management; lawn and ornamental pests; structural and commodity fumigation; ant management; wood preservation; and more. Additionally, an 8-hour Technician Training Course will be led by Dr. Don Rechie (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension). Dr. Bob Davis (BASF) and Dr. Mike Merchant (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension) will provide A.C.E Training and Testing, and three four-hour workshops will be offered that cover IPM in commercial kitchens, bed bugs, and commercial/commodity fumigation.

Coalmarch Productions Releases New eBook

RALEIGH, N.C. — Coalmarch Productions, a marketing agency in Raleigh, partners with pest control, lawn care, HVAC and plumbing business owners to help them grow their business online, and hire, train and retain technicians.

Coalmarch frequently releases blogs and other content to help service companies grow. Most recently, Coalmarch released an eBook that takes a PCO into the mind of their potential customer. This eBook covers what purchasing decisions look like for customers, how to utilize your website as a sales funnel, how to create appropriate messaging to attract an ideal customer, and more.

By having Triangle Pest Control as a sister company and hosting an annual owner’s summit, CO2, Coalmarch Productions says it has learned the ins and outs of the service industry.

RISE Members Convene in Amelia Island for Joint Meeting with CropLife America

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) welcomed new governing board members and recognized dedicated volunteers during its 28th annual meeting at Amelia Island, Fla., with a focus on engagement and community building.

Nearly 600 manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders attended the meeting Sept. 23-26, held in conjunction with CropLife America. At the meeting, CropLife America honored its longtime President/CEO Jay Vroom, who retired after nearly 30 years, and greeted its new leader Chris Novak.

“Our industry is in a time of transition and opportunity,” said Darren Horst, RISE Governing Board chair and vice president and general manager of Central Garden & Pet. “We welcome Chris Novak to CropLife America and the potential for our partnership as we go boldly forward in this new operating environment.”

The RISE Governing Board met on Sept. 23, and elected new members Katherine Bishop, Lebanon Seaboard Corporation, holding a formulator seat; Scott Reasons, Syngenta, holding a manufacturer seat; and Michael Maravich, Sipcam Agro USA, filling a formulator seat. Outgoing board members completing their terms are Stephanie Jensen, BASF Corporation, and Dan Stahl, OHP, who served as board chair from 2014-16.

Others continuing their terms on the Governing Board include:

• Darren Horst, chair, Central Garden & Pet
• John Gertz, vice chair, SiteOne Landscape Supply
• Zack Zaki, treasurer, FMC Corporation
• Jeff Alvis, AMVAC Chemical Corporation
• Sean Casey, Nufarm Americas
• Bill Culpepper, SePRO Corporation
• Todd Ferguson, Primera
• Gilles Galliou, Bayer
• James Guard, Bayer
• Tom Linnen, Corteva Agriscience
• Doug Obermann, PBI/Gordon Corporation
• John Smith, WinField United

The meeting’s theme, boldly4ward, reflects the idea that in times of change, the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry must continue to work together and learn from one another.