Faye Golden’s journey to the NPMA presidency

“By focusing on strategic growth and professional development, we’re laying the groundwork to become stronger and more unified.” says Faye Golden. (Photo: DiAnna Paulk)

On July 1, 2024, history was made in our industry. That was the day Faye Golden officially assumed the presidency of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) — making her the first Black president, the first president from Alabama in more than five decades, and only the fifth woman president in the association’s 91 years of existence.

Golden was formally installed as president in October during the NPMA’s PestWorld 2024 conference and trade show in Denver, Colo. But even in her first three months, she had already made progress toward her goals for the association.

Career-shaping events

Golden points to two people in her life who were particularly influential in guiding her toward her eventual career in professional pest management. One was her maternal grandfather, Alfred Joiner Sr. (1894-1975), who was able to feed his family from what he grew on his farm in Wetumpka, Ala.

“He had a pond stocked with brim and catfish that was located just down from the vegetable garden,” Golden recalls. “One summer morning, we walked to the pond to catch some fish for dinner and discovered dead fish along the pond’s bank.”

Just a little girl at the time, Golden still remembers Joiner’s panic: How could fish be healthy one day and dead the next? Had someone poisoned them? Were garden pesticides getting into the pond? They went home, and Joiner called his local county extension agent to help him solve the mystery. After getting Joiner’s responses to a few probing questions about the pond’s condition and other factors, the agent recognized the problem likely stemmed from oxygen depletion in the water. He made recommendations to prevent it from happening again, and Joiner drew a breath of relief.

The event made a big impression on Golden. “It sparked not only my interest in science but a desire to help people in my community,” she explains. She immediately knew she wanted to help people in a similar way. It was reinforced by Golden attending the Alabama State Fair each fall in Montgomery, Ala., with her family. The fairgrounds were next to the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) building. Its imposing Georgian columns and many windows fascinated her: “Each time I saw that building, I would say, ‘One day, I’m going to work there.’”

Mrs. Crum, left, and Golden still stay in touch today. (Photo: Faye Golden)

A few years later, Golden was a 10th-grade biology student of Faye Crum. Not only did Mrs. Crum make science interesting, Golden says, but that summer, she selected four students to attend a science camp on the campus of Alabama’s Tuskegee University, a historically Black college or university (HBCU).

“I was honored to be selected to attend the camp with students from across the country with a focus on science, and biology in particular,” Golden says. “The camp allowed me to participate in scientific experiments, to meet other girls interested in science, and to meet women who became role models to me as biologists, physicists, ecologists and engineers.”

Making good on a promise

Golden graduated with a degree in environmental biology from Auburn University and a master of education degree in secondary education and teaching from Alabama State University. In 1998, on a whim, Golden applied for a position inspecting plant nurseries for the ADAI. She got the job, but it was in Mobile, Ala., three hours away from her family and friends. Still, she was determined to give it a try.

Although Golden may not have been in the impressive building with many windows — yet, although she would eventually move to an office there — she was part of its organization, using science and helping people.

“The nurseries ranged in size from small backyard mom-and-pop operations to large companies with hundreds of acres employing hundreds of people and producing millions of plants,” Golden explains. “A huge part of my job responsibilities was to ensure steps were taken to protect and reduce pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers.”

Over the next 14 years, Golden worked her way up from inspector to program director. In 2013, however, a job opening caught her eye.

“Cook’s Pest Control announced a new position, governmental affairs manager, and I knew I would be a perfect fit,” she says. “Accepting a newly created position gave me unique advantages that might not have been available in more established roles.

“I had an opportunity to shape the role,” she adds. “There was room to define the responsibilities and processes, and establish priorities. Additionally, this new role involved wearing multiple hats, allowing me to develop a broader skill set.”

At the 2024 conference of the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators (AAPSE) in Laramie, Wyo., Golden was honored with the Fellow Award — the highest recognition bestowed by the association. AAPSE President Amanda Bachmann presented the award to her. (Photo: Faye Golden)

Golden quickly fell in love with the professional pest control industry, and the feeling was mutual for Cook’s Pest Control, founded in Decatur, Ala., in 1928 and employing more than 1,700. In 2020, she was named Cook’s director of government affairs.

“Faye is a wonderful extension of our ‘Cook’s Culture,’” says Brian Cook, fourth-generation president of the company and grandson of Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer John R. Cook Sr. (Class of 2015), who was the first NPMA president from Alabama back in 1973. “She genuinely cares about people and serves with excellence. I believe she has been so successful because her personal values resonate with our ‘Cook’s Values’ and our vision, which is to increasingly make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through pest control.”

NPMA duties begin

Golden became an NPMA officer in 2020 when she was elected secretary. The officer commitment totals five years, with a 12-month stint each as secretary, treasurer, president-elect, president and immediate past president. Thanks to the COVID pandemic, however, members of NPMA’s Executive Committee stayed in place for an additional year rather than advancing to the next position — making it a six-year commitment for Golden.

Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries Director Tony Cofer worked alongside Golden early in her career. (Photo: Faye Golden)

Golden says her work in government affairs melds well with her leadership duties. “Like many in this industry, I was already working well beyond the typical 8-to-5 schedule,” she explains. “By focusing on overlapping goals such as regulatory advocacy, pesticide safety education and member engagement, my efforts in one role can complement the other.”

NPMA Executive Director Dominique Stumpf, CAE, says that as president, Golden already has helped advance the association’s relationships with joint partners, and grow first-time attendees at conferences with her welcoming, inclusive demeanor and efforts.

“Working alongside Faye has been a testament to the power of aligned leadership,” Stumpf adds. “Her deep industry expertise and collaborative approach have been instrumental in advancing the NPMA’s key initiatives, particularly in strengthening our public policy positions and industry advocacy efforts. I’ve especially appreciated her thoughtful, strategic approach to industry challenges and her dedication to serving our membership. Under her volunteer leadership, we’ve made meaningful progress on our strategic goals while strengthening the NPMA’s foundation for the future.”

Work/life balance

Golden says she is glad her son, Kerry, is now 27 and not affected by her frequent travel. “When Kerry was younger, and I was working with the ADAI, it was challenging to find a work/life balance,” she says. “At least when I had work trips during the summer months, he could travel with me.” Now that her son is grown, she adds, he has been a great traveling companion to NPMA events such as Legislative Day and PestWorld.

Despite her busy schedule, Golden makes time for self-care and helping others. For the former, she unwinds by “spending time outside, walking in the park or an outdoor shopping center, going for a hike, or simply sitting outside and soaking up the sun.”

Exercise is a must, Golden says, noting it boosts her mood and helps clear her mind. Her secret to keeping exercise a priority is to build and rotate music playlists. “The right playlist can make a grueling workout feel manageable, and it helps me maintain a steady pace,” she explains.

Golden’s desire to help others goes beyond her Cook’s and NPMA responsibilities. She regularly volunteers at domestic violence shelters and food banks. With her family, she helps prepare care package bags filled with essential items such as non-perishable food, hygiene products, and clothing for people experiencing homelessness, handing the bags out directly on the streets.

“I enjoy volunteering,” she says. “Serving my community has made a huge difference in my life.”

As Golden continues her tenure as NPMA president and Cook’s regulatory affairs director, she says she looks forward to working with others to achieve many industry goals. Her NPMA initiatives, as listed on p. 18, are positioned specifically to help pest management professionals meet future challenges and opportunities.

“By focusing on strategic growth and professional development, we’re laying the groundwork to become stronger and more unified,” she says. “I want to thank the members of the NPMA for allowing me to represent them in this incredible industry.”