FAIRFAX, Va.  – The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) announced Karie Keown, director of strategic accounts operations for Rentokil North American Pest Control, is this year’s recipient of the Women of Excellence Award, presented by Orkin. NPMA will recognize Keown and her accomplishments at its convention, PestWorld 2010, in Hawaii on October 22.

“We are delighted Karie has been selected for this honor.  She has been a formidable leader within the industry and a true inspiration, trainer and mentor for other professionals,” commented Rob Lederer, NPMA’s Executive Vice President. He further noted that “NPMA is proud to join with Orkin through the Women of Excellence Award to celebrate the contributions of women to the pest management profession.”

The selection process for the award was highly competitive, as the international honor was open to women across the profession. NPMA received numerous nominations for talented professionals who make notable contributions to the development and growth of the profession and other women. 

Keown joined the industry in 2003 when she went to work for her father, starting as a sales and service representative for Presto-X in the Chicago area; one year later she moved into the home office in Omaha, Neb.  In 2005, she was promoted to general manager, responsible for the company’s daily operations.  During her tenure, Presto-X grew by 9-12 percent each year.  She also developed the company’s heralded leadership development program.  In 2009, she was promoted to director of sales training and development, leading this area for Rentokil’s 2,000 North American colleagues at Watch All, Ehrlich, Presto-X and Rentokil Pest Control.  She was appointed to her current position in 2010.

Those who know Keown best say her biggest contribution is her focus on fellow colleagues within her company and within the industry.  An ardent volunteer, she is often found developing programs and activities that support others.  She now serves on the NPMA board of directors, and many within the pest management industry benefitted from her leadership of NPMA’s Business Development Committee, for which she was recognized as the Committee Chair of the Year in 2009.

“Orkin is proud to support this award for the second consecutive year as a way to pay tribute to the extraordinary accomplishments of women in the pest management industry,” said John Wilson, President, Orkin USA. “We are pleased that Karie Keown has been selected as this year’s honoree. She is an excellent representation of the professionalism that exists within the field – and of someone who actively supports the development of our next generation of leaders.”