Lending a hand to those who serve

Pest management professionals (PMPs) continue to step up to lend a hand to military personnel currently protecting our country or seeking employment once their tour of duty is over.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has been officially doing its part to help since Legislative Day 2015, when it launched PestVets. The program is designed to educate returning and retired veterans on the career opportunities available in the pest management industry. It offers much more, however, as PestVets recently formed a partnership with Recruit Military to offer cross-promotion to NPMA members who list job openings on the NPMA Career Center; created Operation Gratitude so Legislative Day attendees could assemble care packages and write letters of support for those on active duty; and held its first PestVets Day of Service at PestWorld 2018, where attendees volunteered with disabled veterans at a local VA hospital. FMC has supported PestVets initiatives since its inception.

PHOTO: DIANE SOFRANEC

Julie Spagnoli, JM Specialty Consulting, Laurel, Miss., took part in Operation Gratitude by sharing her appreciation for those who serve in the military. Legislative Day attendees were encouraged to write letters expressing thanks to active-duty servicemen and women.

PHOTO: DIANE SOFRANEC

The care packages are ready to be shipped to the active-duty service members. This year, Legislative Day attendees completed the task in record time.

PHOTO: DIANE SOFRANEC

FMC, sponsor of PestVets, presented the committee with a check for $10,000. The company donated $5 to PestVets every time a PMP signed up to receive a sample of its new Scion Insecticide, an industry-wide campaign FMC launched at PestWorld 2018. Pictured, from left, are Copesan Services’ Dave Ramsey; NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf, CMP, CAE; FMC Market Specialist Arnold Ramsey; NPMA Director of Public Policy Jake Plevelich; and FMC Marketing Manager, Professional Solutions Kevin Laycock.

PHOTO: DIANE SOFRANEC

FMC Marketing Specialist Arnold Ramsey presented fellow Marine Dave Ramsey, service quality manager for Copesan, with the PestVet of the Year award and thanked him for founding the PestVets Day of Service at PestWorld 2018. In addition to acknowledging the family and colleagues who helped throughout his pest management career, Ramsey recognized PMPs Marty Overline and Dr. Stan Cope for their work with PestVets. “Thank you for allowing us to do this and participate in this great industry,” he said. “We were born to serve, and that’s what we do.”

PHOTO: DIANE SOFRANEC

Jeremy and Chuck Evans of Evans Pest Control flank fellow Philadelphian Sue Wilson of Good Riddance Pest Control while assembling the care packages that will be sent to active-duty service members as part of Operation Gratitude.

Read more: Live from Legislative Day 2019