Pictured (from left to right): Alfie Treleven, Sprague Pest Solutions; Ben Walker, Gregory Pest Solutions; Eric Van Houten, Copesan; Vern Toblan, Pi Chi Omega, Clarke Keenan, Waltham Services; Deni Naumann, Copesan; Russ Ives, Rose Pest Solutions; and Bery Cothern, Syngenta.

LAS VEGAS — During its recent National Conference in Las Vegas, Nev., Copesan held a raffle to benefit two programs that contribute to the future of the pest management industry.

In total, conference attendees raised $5,525, which Copesan matched, bringing the total to over $11,000. Two organizations will receive the monies:  Pi Chi Omega and National Pest Management (NPMA) Foundation. Pi Chi Omega will also receive $150, raised by auctioning the “Stored Product Pest Identification Guide,” which was donated by Gerry Wegner, technical director and staff entomologist of ProGuard Commercial Pest Solutions of Columbus, Ohio. Another $150 was raised by auctioning the Mallis Handbook of Pest Control, donated by Dr. Eric Smith, director of Technical Services at Dodson Bros. Exterminating Co., Lynchburg, VA.

Pi Chi Omega, a pest management industry fraternity, provides scholarships to entomology students. Several $1,000 scholarships are given each year to entomology students at universities across the country and around the world. The NPMA Foundation, which has been in existence for more than 30 years, provides grants for the research, development and refinement of pest management tools and techniques.

“Copesan is proud to support both the Pi Chi Omega scholarship fund and the NPMA Foundation for research” said Deni Naumann, president of Copesan. “Raising a record amount of money created a lot of excitement among our Partners and staff attending this event.”

The raffle, sponsored by Syngenta, awarded prizes as follows:
Grand Prize - $1,000 Target Gift Card – Jim Schmitt, Wil-Kil Pest Control, Appleton, WI
First Runner-Up - $500 Northwest / Delta Airlines Voucher - Ray Kidwell, McCall Service, Jacksonville, FL
Second Runner-Up - $300 Wal-Mart Gift Card– Mike Rodgers, American Pest, Takoma Park, MD 
Third Runner-Up - $100 Starbucks Gift Card – Alfie Treleven, Sprague Pest Solutions, Tacoma, WA
Fourth Runner –Up - $100 Home Depot Gift Card – Michele Vance, Schendel Pest Services, Topeka, KS