[Crown Leadership Awards] Amazing 8

PCT magazine and Syngenta Professional Products honored this year’s Crown Leadership winners during a special ceremony at PestWorld 2007 in October. The class of 2007 includes pest management professionals, university educators and association officials who have contributed positively to the growth and development of the structural pest control industry, as well as established strong ties with fellow business leaders and customers in their communities.

“It’s a privilege for Syngenta to sponsor the Crown Leadership Awards with the PCT Media Group, and a privilege to be able to spend time with you honoring the Class of 2007,” Ashish Malik, head, home care commercial operations, Syngenta, said during the awards presentation. “Our industry needs leaders — leaders like those being honored tonight who serve our industry by representing us both in the field and in our evolving business environment.”

Crown Leadership winners are selected every year by Syngenta and PCT. Nominations are solicited by PCT throughout the year and winners are chosen from the candidate pool. Each of this year’s winners was profiled in a special issue that was mailed with the October issue of PCT.

“It’s been highly rewarding to be able to shine the spotlight on such deserving professionals,” said PCT Publisher Dan Moreland.

The Class of 2007 includes:

• Ron Belknap, Capital City Exterminating Company, Worthington, Ohio
• Charles Dixon, Dixon Exterminating Co., Thomasville, Ga.
• Greg Rice, Hulett Environmental Services, West Palm Beach, Fla.
• Jamie Ogle, Lloyd Pest Control, San Diego, Calif.
• Gene Harrington, National Pest Management Association, Fairfax, Va.
• Jack Broome, PermaTreat Pest Control, Fredericksburg, Va.
• Harden Blackwell, Terminix Co., Greensboro, N.C.
• Dan Suiter, University of Georgia, Department of Entomology, Griffin, Ga.

In addition to honoring the Crown Leadership winners, PCT used the occasion to recognize its 2006 Professional of the Year, Michael Katz, president of Western Exterminator Co. Katz was chosen for this award for his many contributions to the industry, including his work on NPMA’s government affairs committee.