NPMA renames PestVet award to honor David Cooksey

Col. David R. Cooksey

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) PestVets Council unanimously voted to rename the PestVet of the Year Award to “The David Cooksey PestVet of the Year Award.” The change took effect, fittingly, on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Per the NPMA news release:

Discipline and accountability. Service before self. These are the traits that defined David Cooksey, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, and former member of the NPMA PestVets Council, and CFO of McCall Service operating in Northern Florida and Southern Georgia. The sudden and unexpected passing of David Cooksey was shocking to the PestVets Council, as David was a key member of the Council who never missed an in-person meeting or event.

“The PestVets Council is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of David Cooksey. He was an incredible member of the PestVets Council, family man, and human being. He will be greatly missed,” Jake Plevelich, the NPMA PestVets Council’s Staff Liaison, said in the news release. “Every member of the Council unanimously supported re-naming the award after David because he embodied the values of military service, the PestVets Council, and the criteria to win the Award itself. He was an amazing person that stood for values that we should all strive to embody.”

“I was saddened to hear of David’s untimely passing. His contribution to the U.S. military, and the pest control industry on both the state and national level, was immeasurable. He will be dearly missed by us all,” Joe Campbell, PestVets Council Chairman and Senior VP of the Residential Department at ABC Home & Commercial Services DFW, said in the news release.

“I’m not much for words and emotions, but I was very saddened to hear about David’s passing. I know he was selfless, and his contributions to the military and pest control industry were both great. I know all will miss him a lot.” Jeff Keller, PestVets Council Vice-Chairman and Technical Director of Burns Pest Elimination, said in the news release.

“I stand and salute him for his service to this country, and his unbridled dedication to veterans. I am certain that he will be so sorely missed by so many,” Dr. Stan Cope, PestVets Council Member, 2021 PestVet of the Year Award recipient and AP&G Co. VP of Technical Products and Services, said in the news release.

FMC, the sponsor of PestVets, will deliver the first David Cooksey PestVet of the Year Award at the NPMA Legislative Day 2022 event in Washington, D.C.