Cleveland Association Names New Leadership

CLEVELAND — The Greater Cleveland Pest Control Association Monday announced its executive leadership for 2007 at the group’s annual spring banquet.

“This is a great industry. There’s a very special place for the folks in Ohio. There’s a passion for what you do in Ohio,” said Bob Rosenberg, senior vice president,  National Pest Management Association. “I congratulate you for all that you do.”

But Rosenberg told the assembled pest control operators that the industry could face challenges with the new Democratic-controlled Congress, which is pressuring President George Bush’s administration on a wide range of issues, including the environment. While Rosenberg acknowledged that many Democrats in Congress have been friendly to pest control industry issues, several of the Democrats now chairing committees have not. For example, Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), the new chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has tried to attach “non-industry friendly” school pest control legislation as amendments to existing bills. “Having Democrats in charge of the House is a very dangerous thing for us. The people who control the floor don’t like us,” Rosenberg said. “Who’s going to vote no for protecting children from pesticides?”

The Cleveland association Monday awarded its coveted Tom Evans Award to Steve Scherzinger, a former NMPA president and head of the Cincinnati-based Scherzinger Pest Control.

“I appreciate the award. … I’m very proud to be the fifth person to represent Ohio as president of NPMA,” Scherzinger said.

GCPCA also announced its new officers:

• Rich Kozlovich, Ohio 2000 Pest Management, president
• Steve Kmetz, Certified Pest Control, vice president
• Billy Kirchner, Jr., Cleveland Chemical Pest, secretary/treasurer
• John Zuchelli, Central Exterminating, chairman of the board
• Dave Bennett, Bugs Bennett Pest Control, board member
• Tim Hughart, Central Exterminating, board member
• Molly Patton, Patton Pest Control, board member
• Gary Caldwell, Acme Pest Control, board member

The author is assistant editor of PCT magazine and can be contacted at cbowen@gie.net.