Pest Management Professional, December 2009

The Last Word WHAT REALLY MATTERS Tough Times Engender Heartfelt Thank Yous B y almost any measure 2009 was a tough year But even in these tough times Ive been heartened by the stories around the country of pest management professionals PMPs helping each other and others Stories like that always renew my faith in the human spirit and I hope they renew yours as well As you think back on the year remember those people who made it possible for you to survive and take a moment out of your day to say thank you I know that as I look back I want to take a moment to thank My wife and soulmate Beth my son Ryan and my daughter Maggie Without their constant love and support I couldnt do what I do here each and every day I love them all more than I can ever adequately express My parents Frank Sr and Jean They taught how to love laugh and face tough times with resolve I dont thank them enough and this thank you is long overdue My sister Claire her husband Jake and their children Hank and Lily My extended family on the other side in laws Bill and Rosmarie Greg Sally Chris Sarah and Sue Martin Bill Martin and his three sons Alex Nick and Eric The impressive team I work with here at Pest Management Professional George Casey Pete Grasso RJ Pooch Brian Olesinski Kelli Valasquez Jill Hood Kathy Kuehling Chris Anderson Joe Winans Heidi Spangler Antoinette Sanchez Perkins and Michelle Mitchell Though somewhat smaller than in previous years this team continued to perform at an impressively high level Its a tribute to their hard work that we have the best trade publication in the industry I am so fortunate and lucky to work with such an amazing team of people and Im so grateful for their support and friendship Our editorial advisory board past and present my kitchen cabinet and the rest of our readers We cant do this without all of your help support and input to keep us cutting edge both in the information we bring to you and the way we deliver it to you Our marketing partners In a year where everyone was cutting back marketing budgets we are particularly thankful for those who continued to support us and in some cases even increased their business with us 2010 is looking even better and I thank them for their continued support Marty Whitford Andy Linares For everything Michael Weisburger Welcome back Matt Nixon Genma Holmes Justin and Jen McCauley and the rest of their wonderful families Richard Diggs Tim and Sarah Baietto The entire Rupkey clan Chick DeMoss Molly Patton Adam Witt Linden Griffin Gary Tank Ray and Tammy Johnson Russ Ives Mark Sheperdigian and the rest of the Rose Pest Solutions of Troy team Ned and Dauphin Ewart Joe and Nellie Cantu and Joe Garcia Norm Cooper Harvey Goldglantz Greg Baumann Maegen Hurtado Kathryn Tawney Ali Askari Vita Musonis Lose It the I Pod Touch app that aided me in losing my last 10 pounds out of 31 I lost this year Im now as light as Ive been in a decade Im a lousy prognosticator so I am making no guesses as to how 2010 will be for the industry The signs are hopeful housing starts were up 62 percent in late November but weve seen such hopeful signs before end badly So I will just leave you with this Merry Christmas Happy Hannukah and Happy New Year to all peace always to you and yours and Ill see you in 2010 PMP You can reach Andorka at fandorka@ questex com Be sure to check out his blog One More Thing at www mypmp net franksblog By Frank H Andorka Jr Editorial Director 68 PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL DECEMBER 2009 www mypmp net