BOM hosts leadership summit, announces PestWorld package program

From left are Dr. Hamilton Allen, Faye Golden, Jim Steed, Jason Payne, Dr. Sonja Thomas, Sterling Barbour, Wayne Golden and Ashley Clark. IMAGE: BOM

In late June, Black Ownership Matters (BOM) held its first-ever Executive Board Leadership Summit. The event took place in Washington, D.C., and in addition to strategic planning and program development, BOM leaders met with several local companies and individuals interested in growing their businesses, or searching for guidance in starting their own pest control companies.

The meeting was attended by several BOM board members, including:

• Jason Payne, CEO of Payne Pest Management
• Wayne Golden, Owner of GSquared Consulting
• Dr. Hamilton Allen, BCE, Florida Regional Technical Director for HomeTeam Pest Defense (and a member of the Pest Management Professional Editorial Advisory Board)
• Faye Golden, Director of Government Affairs for Cook’s Pest Control
• Sterling Barbour, President of Revolution National Pest Council
• Dr. Sonja Thomas, Extension Specialist of Pesticide Safety Education for Alabama Cooperative Extension
• Ashley Clark, VP of Allenstrategic Communications
• Jim Steed, Owner of Neighborly Pest Management

“I was inspired by the work our team was able to accomplish in Washington D.C. and look forward to the year ahead,” Payne, who is president of BOM, said in a news release. “Momentum is building for our organization and the populations we are striving to serve. We’re looking forward to carrying that momentum through to PestWorld this year.”

To that end, BOM will host its first membership meeting during the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA’s) PestWorld 2021 event. It will take place on Thursday, Nov. 4, in Las Vegas, Nev. To RSVP or learn more, please visit BlackOwnershipMatters.org/contact-us.

BOM has also partnered with the NPMA to offer a select number of complimentary full registration packages for PestWorld, which is taking place Nov. 2-5, 2021. BOM encourages interested parties to apply online at BlackOwnershipMatters.org/pestworld2021 by Aug. 1, 2021.

“Whether you are interested in starting your own business, or looking to move up in your field, we’re here to help,” said Payne. “We encourage individuals to reach out to us for guidance and support, and we welcome all Black-owned companies to join our cause.”

BOM is currently working on several projects that promote Black ownership of pest control companies and advancement in the industry. The organization, founded in 2020, has benefited from the support of contributing companies and industry partners who have pitched in to provide both financial and in-kind support.

“We need all hands on deck to advance equity in our industry,” said Payne. “We invite everyone to visit our website and contact us if you are interested in getting involved. We’re looking for dedicated individuals that are interested in serving as mentors in their areas of expertise, as well as companies interested in sharing their resources and knowledge.”