J.T. Eaton Announces Personnel Changes

TWINSBURG, Ohio — J.T. Eaton has announced three personnel changes, including a new national sales manager for its pest control division.

After nearly 14 years in the industry, Gary Schlosberg has announced his retirement as national sales manager for J.T. Eaton & Co.’s pest control division. He will continue on with the company in a consultant position.

Craig Velte, a 25-year sales industry veteran who joined the company in August as the pest control division’s assistant sales manager, has been promoted to national sales manager of the division.

“We thank Gary for his many years of dedication and service to our company, and we’ll miss him a lot around the office,” said Dale Baker, vice president of J.T. Eaton. “But we feel very lucky to have Craig be able to step up to the plate for our sales plans.”

With his wife, Liz Velte as a longtime executive sales coordinator for J.T. Eaton, Velte knew the company had a lot to offer.

“Liz has really enjoyed working for J.T. Eaton over the years, and when the opportunity came up to join her, I knew it was the right move,” Velte said. “I’m enjoying learning about the pest management industry — and helping professionals serve their customers with our products.”

The company also expanded the responsibilities of Doug Frano, who since 2006 has served as national sales manager for its sanitary supply division. His duties now include overseeing its private labeling division. He will also continue to assist the pest control division with products that overlap between the pest control and sanitation industries, such as J.T. Eaton’s extensive fly light line.

Frano’s degree in chemistry has helped him explain the technical benefits of J.T. Eaton's line of chemical solutions to customers. Likewise, he will work with companies to realize the value of branding products with their company name and logo.

“2008 is going to be a year of several new sales initiatives for J.T. Eaton, and I’m glad to be a part of that,” Frano said.

And, James Rodriguez joins the company as its new Southwest sales manager

Rodriguez’s industry experience includes 23 years with Holden Pest Control. He later purchased the 50-year-old company to start Custom Pest Control in Sylmar, Calif. He’s actively worked in all branches of pest management, and continues to hold a California state license in pest control, fumigation and termite control. Rodriguez lives in Valencia, Calif., with his wife, Britt.

“With James on board, we’re looking forward to implementing a lot of new initiatives in the growing Southwestern market in 2008,” Baker said. “We service all of the United States and internationally, but James will be able to focus his sales efforts on the specific needs of the various rodent control techniques only faced by the Southwest states.”

Rodriguez will be attending Target Specialty Products, Univar and B&G events this winter, as well as several other industry events throughout the year to meet as many companies as possible.

“I’m looking forward to meeting a variety of pest management professionals at these events,” said Rodriguez. “So far, everyone I’ve met in this industry has been very welcoming, which has helped to make this a smooth transition.”