Pi Chi Omega hosts membership meeting at PestWorld

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October 12, 2022

Drs. Nancy Troyano, left, and Brittany Campbell are the newest additions to the Pi Chi Omega Board. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Drs. Nancy Troyano, left, and Brittany Campbell are the newest additions to the Pi Chi Omega Board. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Pest management industry fraternity Pi Chi Omega was ready for a busy week at the National Pest Management Association’s PestWorld 2022 event in Boston, Mass., this week. On Monday, not only did its board of directors meet, but the group hosted a Spotlight Reception that evening to celebrate the newest class of Pest Management Professional’s (PMP’s) Hall of Fame (more coverage here), as well as Pest Control Technology and Syngenta’s Crown Leadership award winners.

On Tuesday morning, the membership meeting took place. Highlights included:

  • An extremely full house. Dr. Cassie Krejci, BCE, president of Pi Chi Omega and technical director of Terminix, remarked on how wonderful it was to see more than 70 members and candidates in attendance. Later, Membership Chair Dr. Hamilton Allen of HomeTeam Pest Control (and a PMP Editorial Advisory Board member) reported that membership currently stands at 429, with 45 new members thus far in 2022.
  • The Pi Chi Omega Generosity Award. This award was given to Dr. Allison Johnson, formerly Pi Chi Omega’s student representative. She has done many things to further the goals of Pi Chi Omega, not the least of which was creating an informative video that could be easily implemented in the fraternity’s “Junior Entomologist” student education program.
  • The Ad-Hoc Industry Grant Program. With $2,500 in seed money from Trécé Inc., and chaired by that company’s pest control sales and marketing manager, James Miller, ACE, this new initiative by Pi Chi Omega could debut as soon as January 2023. It is designed for pest management professionals wanting to expand their industry skills, to offset costs of classes, travel, etc.
  • Board updates. Two new directors were unanimously added to the Pi Chi Omega board: Dr. Nancy Troyano, BCE, director of operations, education and training at Rentokil North America; and Dr. Brittany Campbell, BCE, technical service manager of Control Solutions Inc. They succeed Rollins Inc.’s Glen Ramsey, who is now president of the Georgia Pest Control Association, and Insect Limited’s Tom Mueller, who volunteered to finish out the secretarial term of the late Gene White, BCE. A slate of candidates were also unanimously added to the membership rolls.

Two other events remain for the organization during PestWorld: Attendees can have fun “collecting” and “creating” baseball cards at the Pi Chi Omega booth, located on the third floor of Education Hall on Wednesday and Thursday during show hours. There is also the latest installment of Pi Chi Omega’s “famous” “Raise the Bar” event series at the YardHouse Restaurant, 110 Huntington Ave., from 8 to 10 p.m. on Thursday.

Gene White

Gene White

After the official meeting was adjourned, Dr. Krejci introduced a touching memorial video for the beloved Gene White, who died unexpectedly Sept. 20. His widow, Janet, was in attendance.

Gene was my friend. That is how I have started the conversation any time Gene has come up over the last couple of weeks, and I believe that statement was one everyone who knew him could say,” Dr. Krejci said in her introduction to the 15-minute video, which interspersed photos of White with stories fondly told by various Pi Chi Omega members. “Gene’s role as our friend was one he extended to his position as a longtime member of Pi Chi Omega and our board of directors, most recently serving as Pi Chi Omega secretary. Gene honestly loved this industry, and it was evident in the way he taught others, the way he communicated, and the way he supported his fellow pest management colleague.  I think I speak for everyone when I say that Gene’s presence, his passion for this industry, and his love for people will be missed deeply.”

 

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About the Author

Heather Gooch

Heather Gooch is the editor-in-chief for PMP magazine. She can be reached at hgooch@northcoastmedia.net or 330-321-9754.

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