Pest Management Professional, February 2013

Norman Goldenberg Title Senior Vice President Organization Terminix International and TruGreen Years in pest management 52 Industry mentors Charlie Hromada Terminix Carlos Cantu Terminix Bob Russell Orkin Truly Nolen Earl Geiger Orkin and Taft Pierce Orkin Top three industry achievements to date Service to NPCA now NPMA as its president serving as president of PLANET Professional Landcare Network and the culmination of efforts to illustrate the public health and environmental benefits of the services we provide Opportunities continue to exist in the relationship building and advocacy positions we make with policymakers both elected and appointed AT A GLANCE Are there any legislative regulatory issues on the table that might affect professionals who work in both industries There continue to be threats in voiding the state preemption for pesticide use in some states There are several states that dont have state primacy with regard to the regulation of pesticide application licensing and notification This could become serious if local governments in those states develop greater standards for licensed pest management and lawn care companies A few states that have preemption seem to make attempts each year by having activist groups overturn state preemption and allow local municipalities the option to regulate our industry Weve seen this in the management of nutrients fertilizers where local governments have intruded by creating a patchwork of regulations that make it more difficult to perform our services 1Preemption What are three primary obstacles facing the pest management industry today as indicated above is always a serious threat Also tighter application restrictions on some of the family of pesticides we use are always present A good example is the recent label change in the application of 2The pyrethroids which might require a different product to be used in its place recent change in the use and placement of rodenticides which has necessitated label changes that make it more difficult to control rodents on the exterior of buildings has not been beneficial to the detriment of our customers Although a moderate change has been recently negotiated with the EPA there are still restrictions on the placement of these products on the exterior of 3Water buildings shortages are resulting in greater restrictive requirements for nutrient application with some local governments providing bans on the timing of application content and ingredients of the products and varying distances from bodies of water that vary from city to city in some geographical settings What are three opportunities for the pest management industry The opportunities continue to exist in the relationship building and advocacy positions we make with policymakers both elected and appointed Building proactive programs and using science based facts are essential though unfortunately not looked at favorably by our adversaries who would rather rule on perception and anecdotal hyperbole Continuity in forming coalitions with activist groups will be important as we move forward to strengthen our industry PMP Jerry Mix was editor publisher of PMP until his retirement in 2004 Contact Mix a member of the PMP Hall of Fame Class of 2005 at jnmix@ aol com www mypmp net Pest Management Professional February 2013 87