Bobby Andrews retires from Sprague, 2 employees receive ACE

Bobby Andrews, BCE

Tacoma, Wash.-based Sprague Pest Solutions announces the retirement of Bobby Andrews, BCE, after a 44-year career.

Andrews started his career as a service technician looking after the pest management needs of commercial clients in the Olympia and Centralia, Wash., markets. His extensive knowledge of pest control practices and service skills led Andrews to join retired Sprague technical director Jeff Weier as a member of the training and technical services team.

During his 20-plus years as a trainer for Sprague, Andrews was the person who delivered the first “real look” into the world of pest control for hundreds of new hires through his “Bobby Intro Training Show.” According to the news release, Andrews was widely recognized as a gifted teacher helping technicians solve complicated pest control problems, expanding both their personal and professional career development.

Andrews also worked with Leila Starwich, director of people operations, and Jeff Miller, retired COO, as a corporate trainer and was viewed as Sprague’s cultural ambassador. Most recently, Andrews served as a technical specialist in the Tacoma service center.

“Bobby loved teaching and helping technicians in the field.  They knew he would help at all hours of the day or night, any day of the week,” said Shane Harnett, regional manager for Sprague. “His biggest impact was how much he encouraged curiosity throughout the organization. It was always, ‘I wonder what is behind this door? Where does this lead us to?’ Not everyone was blessed/cursed with this level of curiosity, but our best problem-solving technicians and their clients benefited from Bobby’s knowledge.”

2 Sprague employees earn ACE

Chris Morris, ACE, and Rico Walton, ACE

Sprague Pest Solutions also announced its latest team members that have received the Associate Certification Entomologist (ACE) from the Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation.

The two team members are Chris Morris from Sprague’s Sacramento, Calif., service center and Rico Walton from Sprague’s Spokane, Wash., service center.

With Morris and Walton joining the ACE ranks, Sprague Pest Solutions now has 28 employees – 10 percent of the company’s total workforce – holding this prestigious designation. The Portland, Ore., service center has the most ACE credentialed employees with seven. Sprague Pest Solutions also has five Board Certified Entomologists (BCE) on staff to assist clients design, implement customized pest prevention, and control programs.

“Having Chris and Rico join the ranks of Sprague’s already deep bench of Board Certified and Associate Certified Entomologists reflects our continuing commitment to invest in both our people and clients,” said AJ Treleven, Sprague Pest Solutions’ director of operations. “The hard work our team members have put in to earn these designations is a credit to them individually and Sprague’s people-first culture.”