Wisconsin PWIPM chapter hosts kickoff party

Sara Knilans and Breanna Neerland, ACE, from at the Professional Women in Pest Management of Wisconsin booth at Midwest Pest Con this year. PHOTO: WI PWIPM

The newly formed Wisconsin chapter of the Professional Women in Pest Management (WI PWIPM) held a “kickoff party” at the Midwest Pest Con event put on by the Wisconsin Pest Control Association.

The chapter has a Facebook group and at press time is planning a virtual event for April. Currently, its two officers include:

• Co-chair Breanna Neerland, ACE, operations manager of Kwik Kill Pest Control. Neerland’s father, Bob, founded the Madison, Wis.-based company in 1979. After going to school for biotechnology, she work in pharmaceuticals for five years before joining her family’s business. She has been with Kwik Kill Pest Control for over seven years and has worked her way from technician to her current role. She obtained her Associate Certified Entomologist certification in spring 2021.
• Co-chair Sara Knilans, Midwest regional manager for Madison, Wis.-based Bell Labs. She joined the pest management industry shortly after completing college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998. She started as a sales representative with Bell Laboratories covering the Canadian market. Over the years, she has been part of many projects, including being the project manager for the development of Talpirid mole bait.

Members of the Professional Women in Pest Management at the “kickoff event” at Midwest Pest Con. PHOTO: WI PWIPM

About Professional Women in Pest Management

The Professional Women in Pest Management is an affiliate group of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Its mission is to attract, develop and support women in the pest management industry through educational programs, resources and peer networking.