[View Point] Well deserved 'Thank Yous'

To me, one of the highlights of National Pest Management Association’s annual convention is walking the exhibit hall and visiting with the various manufacturers. It’s great hearing each exhibitor speak so passionately about their offerings which, in some cases, they personally spent time developing (see "Why didn’t I think of that?" October 2006 PCT, page 87).

At some point during these conversations exhibitors inevitably will make a statement like: "We made this improvement to our product after receiving feedback from service technicians."

These types of comments always remind me just how many different ways the men and women working in the field contribute to the industry’s success. It’s for these and other reasons that PCT and Syngenta Professional Products have, for the past 11 years, honored a trio of service professionals in the residential, commercial and termite categories with the Crown Technician of the Year Awards.

This year’s winners are: Luther Mosley, Arrow Exterminators (residential); Paul Morton, The Steritech Group (commercial); and Allen Hulstine, Terminix (termite). Each honoree displays the technical know-how and customer relations skills that have made them leaders in their companies and communities. Undoubtedly, all successful pest control companies have "go-to" service technicians like Luther, Paul and Allen. Be sure to check out the special Technician of the Year Awards supplement accompanying this issue, and feel free at any time to send PCT newsworthy announcements about your company’s standout technicians.

Another group of individuals playing a critical role in the success of the industry are pest management professionals who work diligently to make sure the industry’s position is heard on important regulatory issues. PCT is proud to honor Western Exterminator President Michael Katz — a PCO whose career has been devoted to working on industry-impacting regulatory issues — as its 24th Professional of the Year (see cover story, page 26).

Many of our past Professionals of the Year were chosen based on contributions they made to the pest control industry during the previous year. Others, however, have been recognized with this award for having quietly and consistently worked for the betterment of the industry during a long period of time. It’s for the latter reason that PCT is pleased to honor Katz.

In addition to running the sixth largest pest control company in the U.S., Katz long has been a leading industry advocate. He has served in countless capacities on legislative committees for both the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) and National Pest Management Association (NPMA). "There’s not any time of the day, month or year that Mike’s not available to work through an issue. That’s just how he is," said NPMA Senior Vice President Bob Rosenberg, who has worked closely with Katz on NPMA’s Government Affairs Committee. "Mike will only agree to do things that he feels he can do well and completely. I don’t know a more competent or diligent person. Period."

Katz has become highly regarded for his ability to achieve compromise between factions. This skill has served him well in California, where his legislative accomplishments are significant because the state often is trend-setting regarding pesticide regulations. As Katz explained, "If it happened in California, it could eventually happen elsewhere."

Thanks to dedicated professionals like Katz, the pest control industry does have voices when impactful regulations arise at the local, state and national levels.

The author is Internet editor of www.pctonline.com.