Sprague recognizes employees, scholars

Ben Grady

Tacoma, Wash.-based Sprague Pest Solutions awarded the inaugural Pest Management Foundation Sprague Pest Solutions Endowment Scholarship for the academic year 2023-2024.

Dr. Ben Grady, a graduate student in the DeVries Urban Entomology Lab at the University of Kentucky, was selected for his focus on urban entomology, rodentology and biological sciences. Grady will receive a scholarship award of $1,000 to support his educational pursuits.

Established in 2022, the Endowed Scholarship Program is part of the Pest Management Foundation’s commitment to fostering the next generation of professionals in the field. This scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding undergraduate or graduate students who demonstrate a passion for disciplines such as urban entomology, rodentology or biological sciences.

In addition to the endowed scholarship, Sprague hosts a company scholarship program that enables team members and their families to apply for educational support.

Sprague awards team members

PHOTO: SPRAGUE PEST SOLUTIONS

Sprague Pest Solutions held its Super Meeting & 9th Annual Awards Gala on Feb. 14-15 at the Silver Cloud Point Ruston hotel in Tacoma.

This annual event convened nearly 200 team members from all levels of the organization to celebrate the previous year’s achievements and strategize for the year ahead.

This year’s keynote speaker was TEDx presenter Corrine Hancock, who shared strategies for thriving in chaotic environments, emphasizing resilience and adaptability. Also in attendance were Sprague’s partners, who donated over $100,000 to the event’s success.

In alignment with the spirit of Valentine’s Day, the Awards Gala dinner theme, #INFESTEDWITHGRATITUDE, encouraged attendees to don pink or red attire. Sprague pledged donations to select charities for each guest participating, including United Way, Intermountain Foundation, Feeding America, and the Pest Management Foundation.

Highlighting the evening was the award ceremony, celebrating the individuals and teams who have exemplified leadership, innovation and dedication to excellence:

• Branch of the Year: Pasco, Wash.
• Bob Treleven Technician of the Year: Jeremy Hundley, BCE, Portland, Ore.
• Jeffrey Miller Operations Champion: Mike Wilding, Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Bernadette Treleven Top Administrator of the Year: Mary Whitman, Denver, Colo.
• Alfred H. Treleven Home Office Champion: Martha Branch, home office
• Lawrence R. Treleven Salesperson of the Year: Gary Jennings, Marysville, Wash.
• Sales Executive’s Club: Mike Wall, Tacoma, Wash.
• Sales President’s Club: Chris Olson, Phoenix, Ariz.
• Sales President’s Club: Marcus Munoz, Portland, Ore.
• Sales Chairman’s Club: Dave Nettles, Sacramento, Calif.
• Sales Chairman’s Club: Gary Jennings, Maryville, Wash.
• Sales Chairman’s Club: Geoff Wiebe, national accounts
• Sales Chairman’s Club: Riley Dodson, Pasco, Wash.
• Sales Chairman’s Club: Stephen Lipp, Tacoma, Wash.

Sprague employee earns BCE

Edna Alfaro Inocente

Sprague Regional Entomologist Edna Alfro Inocente achieved her Board-Certified Entomologist (BCE) certification from the Entomological Society of America.

Alfro Inocente is originally from El Salvador and a first-generation college graduate. She holds a master of science in entomology from The Ohio State University and a bachelor of sciences in food science and rechnology from Escuela Agricola Panamericana, Zamorano in Honduras. Before joining Sprague, she contributed her skills as a visiting scientific specialist at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Her research has primarily focused on mosquitoes, making significant strides in pest and pest management. In May 2023, Edna was honored with an NPMA Impact Award for Women in Pest Management, highlighting her contributions and leadership in the field. She is the fifth team member at Sprague to hold a BCE certification.