FPMA Executive VP Karen Barnett to Resign at Year’s End

Karen Weber, shown here with Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles H. Bronson, will be stepping down as FPMA Executive Vice President at year's end.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Pest Management Association announced that Executive Vice President Karen Barnett will be resigning at year’s end as she and husband Marc relocate to the Washington, D.C., area.

Barnett, who replaced Toni Caithness in 2005, was FPMA Communications/Executive Director prior to becoming EVP.

“We’re sorry to lose Karen, though we’re thankful she helped us smoothly transition from long-time management to new, and grow by leaps and bounds in the process,” said FPMA President Jennifer Leggett. “My theme this year is about dreams—and Karen and Marc are following theirs. We wish them well and look forward to hearing about their new adventures.”

Barnett’s departure hasn’t slowed the association’s momentum, according to Leggett. “We’re a member-led and member-driven group, focused and able to adapt easily to change. As our Search Committee goes through the process of selecting a new executive vice president, we have an interim management team in place and a strong support staff to help us continue to serve members with top-of-the-line programs and services—such as our upcoming Power Forum in January.”

The interim team will be managed by the association’s Government Affairs Director Matt Dempsey and led by FPMA’s Executive Committee. Dempsey, who recently passed Florida’s Bar Exam, heads a successful lobbying firm Matthew B. Dempsey Consulting out of Tallahassee. A nationwide search is underway for the executive vice president position.