PestVets recognizes Catchmaster’s ‘Captain Stan’ as 2021 Veteran of the Year

Dr. Stanton Cope

Dr. Stanton “Captain Stan” Cope, VP of products and technical services for Catchmaster manufacturer AP&G Co., is the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA’s) PestVets Veteran of the Year. Sponsored by FMC, the PestVets council serves as a conduit between the pest control industry and military veterans who are transitioning into civilian life. The announcement was made during the NPMA’s recent online Legislative Day event. The official celebration will take place in November during the NPMA’s PestWorld event in person in Las Vegas, Nev.

Dr. Cope has contributed much time and effort to raise awareness about the industry to the veteran community. The Huntington, Ind., native recently traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to make a donation in person to Operation Stand Down, the charity and beneficiary of PestVets’ Annual Day of Service. This year’s donation was used to help furnish housing and create welcome boxes filled with home essentials and a $125 gift card for groceries to veterans.

Dr. Stan Cope composes a letter to the troops as part of Operation Gratitude during Legislative Day 2020. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Dr. Cope’s military career includes being commissioned as a U.S. Navy lieutenant, where he served as a medical entomologist for more than 23 years. He retired with the rank of captain. He held a wide variety of assignments, conducting operational and research entomology in 18 countries. The pinnacle of his career in the Navy was serving as director of the Armed Forces Pest Management Board and director of Defense Pest Management in Washington, DC, where he had responsibility for all aspects of pest management for the U.S. Department of Defense.

“I am honored by this recognition,” he said in a news release. “Nothing brings me greater pleasure than to give back to those who serve. I am proud to be a part of this industry, and AP&G for their great support in helping to introduce veterans to a career in pest management.”