About Us
Pest Management Industry’s Most Trusted Resource
Pest Management Professional (PMP) has served as pest control’s most trusted resource since 1933, providing print and digital media offerings as well as live events. PMP‘s staff and technical contributors consistently a provide wide range of industry news and resources to pest management professionals; through species identification and control tips, updates on emerging business obstacles, market trends, opportunities, tools, applications, and news regarding control technologies, techniques and regulations. PMP arms pest control pros with the industry intel needed to make critical decisions on the job, better compete with industry competitors and do-it-yourself alternatives, and better control all manner of structural pests, landscape pests, public health and nuisance pests.
Covering the Rich History of the Pest Management Industry
Pest Management Professional has been at the frontline of of coverage for countless major milestones in and around the pest management industry; the first patented termiticide (1932), the launch of the National Association of Exterminators and Fumigators (1933), the invention of aerosol insecticide (1941), the evolution of structural and tent fumigation, the founding of the Environmental Protection Agency (1970), the implementation of OSHA’s Federal Hazard Communication Standard (1983), the advent of integrated pest management, and the emergent popularity of pheromones in pest management — among countless other developments.
Accessible Across Mediums, Platforms and Devices
Pest Management Professional provides the market intel pest management professionals need via the mediums they prefer. Get your news delivered to your door, keep it on-hand and enjoy your reading the traditional way with PMP‘s long-running monthly print publication. Digital Editions of the print magazine provide readers with online access while on the go or on the job. For even greatest convenience and variety, bookmark the mypmp.net website for unique content, breaking news, on-demand webinars, the latest new product information and exclusive pest management resources. Email newsletters regular supply all the latest news, professional tips, expert insights and more directly to your inbox. Last but not least, PMP regularly connects and engages with readers on all the major social media platforms.
Editorial Team
North Coast Media | ATTN: PMP Magazine
1360 E. 9th St., 10th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 706-3700 | Fax (216) 706-3710
Marty Whitford, VP of Content & Publisher
(216) 706-3766 | Fax (216) 706-3712
mwhitford@northcoastmedia.net
Vice President of Content and Publisher Marty Whitford came aboard PMP in 2005. Whitford graduated from Kent State University’s School of Journalism & Mass Communication in 1993. Prior to that, he served a four-year stint in the U.S. Navy: “It was an experience of a lifetime, something that prepared me for leading at work and listening at home.” Whitford and his new commanding officer, Bridgid, tied the knot Aug. 10, 1991. The Whitfords reside in Bay Village, Ohio, and are the proud parents of Mickey, Jamie and Meg.
Heather Gooch, Editor-in-Chief
(330) 321-9754 | Fax (216) 706-3711
hgooch@northcoastmedia.net
Editor-in-Chief Heather Gooch first joined the PMP team as an assistant editor in 1995. After 10 years with the magazine, she “retired” to become a freelance writer and full-time mom. In 2015, however, she heeded the call to come back as managing editor. Gooch never really left the industry, however — having worked behind-the-scenes for PMP during her freelance years. These days, she lives in Medina, Ohio, with her husband (fellow journalist Jamie Gooch), their two daughters and two rescue dogs.
Diane Sofranec, Senior Editor
(216) 706-3793 | Fax (216) 706-3710
dsofranec@northcoastmedia.net
Senior Editor Diane Sofranec has worked for PMP since 2014. She’s an award-winning journalist whose professional writing and editing career spans more than 30 years. In addition, she was responsible for PMP‘s website, electronic newsletters, webinars and social media platforms. Sofranec knows for a fact that Cleveland Rocks, which is why she lives in the nearby suburb of Bay Village, Ohio, with husband (and music writer) Michael Gallucci and son (and budding musician) Ennio.
RJ Simon, Digital Media Specialist
(216) 675-6001
rsimon@northcoastmedia.net
Digital Media Specialist RJ earned his Bachelor’s in Digital Marketing, with a minor in Entrepreneurship, in 2025 from Baldwin Wallace University. He brings four years of professional experience in digital marketing and media management, primarily homed in an agency environment serving a diverse portfolio of industries, as well as serving a year with a Cleveland Fortune 200 company. As a Digital Media Specialist his role encompasses strategic management of social media, website content, and email for PMP.
Regular Contributors
Dan Baldwin, BCE, REHS/RS, CCFS, CP-FS
Hawx Pest Control
Dr. Michael Bentley, BCE
National Pest Management Association
Judy Black, BCE
Rollins Inc.
Dan Gordon
PCO Bookkeepers
Bobby Jenkins
ABC Home & Commercial Services
Dennis Jenkins
ABC Home & Commercial Services of DFW
Raleigh Jenkins
ABC Home & Commercial Services
Jerry Schappert, ACE
The Bug Doctor
Pete Schopen
Schopen Pest Solutions
Sheri Spencer Bachman, ACE
Pest Control Business Coach
Editorial Advisory Board
Dr. Hamilton Allen, BCE
HomeTeam Pest Defense
Greg Baumann
Nisus
Michael Broder
BHB Pest Elimination
Foster Brusca
The Pest Posse
Doug Foster
Burt’s Pest Control
Paul Hardy
JP Hardy Consulting
Dr. Faith Oi
University of Florida
Eric Scherzinger
Scherzinger Pest Control
Kurt Scherzinger, ACE
Scherzinger Pest Control
Mark Sheperdigian, BCE
Rose Pest Solutions
Desiree Straubinger, BCE
BASF
Sales Team
To learn more about the Pest Management Professional sales team, click here.