IPMA hosts annual summer meeting

Dr. Ameya Gondhalekar, associate Professor at Purdue University, presents at the meeting. PHOTO: IPMA

Pest management professionals (PMPs) from across Indiana met for the annual Indiana Pest Management Association’s (IPMA’s) annual summer meeting on July 21-22 in Monticello, Ind.

Events on Friday included going to the waterpark and paddle boating. Saturday’s events including morning training sessions and evening dinner followed by a live and silent auction to raise money for scholarship funds.

Presenters included consultant Pete Schopen, Pest Management Professional’s “Start-up Stories” columnist; Dr. Ameya Gondhalekar, associate professor at Purdue University; Dr. Fred Whitford, director of Purdue Pesticide Programs; and Joe Becovitz, pesticide program specialist for the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC). During the IPMA business meeting, Hatfield Pest Control Owner Carrie Campbell was voted as the new IPMA president and Shane Westerman, of Frontline Pest Management, was appointed to the Board of Directors.

Saturday evening concluded with a hospitality hour and dinner. IPMA members and their families raised $10,50 to benefit student scholarship funds at the live and silent auction.

The IPMA event included a live and silent auction to raise money for student scholarships. PHOTO: IPMA

“All you guys feel like an extended family, never missing an opportunity to give back,” Kevin Puetz, event auctioneer and Fowler Pest Control owner, said about the event.

Corporate sponsors for the meeting included BASF, Envu, Bell Labs, R-Pro Partners & Solutions, Neogen, Catchmaster Pro, Target Specialty Products and Zoecon.

About IPMA

The Indiana Pest Management Association is a not-for-profit organization that promotes education and training for those in the pest control industry. Each year, the IPMA provides scholarships to students in an institute of higher learning. The scholarships include: The Steve Durnil Indiana Pest Management Association Family Scholarship, The Indiana Pest Management Association Memorial Scholarship and The Duane Edwards/Arab Pest Control Scholarship.

Pete Schopen presents at the IPMA meeting. PHOTO: IPMA

Dr. Fred Whitford, director of Purdue Pesticide Programs, presents at the IPMA meeting. PHOTO: IPMA

OISC Pesticide Program Specialist Joe Becovitz presents at the meeting. PHOTO: IPMA

Editor’s Note: The PMP staff thanks editorial advisory board member Doug Foster for contributing to this report.