Maui Relief Funds, Swearing in of Missiti Highlight PestWorld Day Two

HONOLULU — Day two NPMA PestWorld began Tuesday morning with NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf presenting a $7,500 check to the Maui Relief fund, alongside Hawaii Pest Control Association (HPCA) President Ryan Teramoto.

HPCA held a sold-out golf tournament fundraiser on Monday, to raise money for Maui. Teramoto said between the fundraiser, and money donated from NPMA and the Japan Pest Control Association (contributing $2,500) the association was able to raise between $12,000 to $15,000 in total.        

The NPMA 2023-2024 board members were called to the stage to be recognized, along with the passing over the gavel from past president Justin McCauley to this year’s president Marillian Missiti.

Missiti shared her humble beginnings as second-generation owner of Buono Pest Control, Belmont, Mass. Her father, Ben Buono, a Vietnam veteran, founded Buono Pest Control in 1978 as a one-man operation. He brought on his three brothers (Michael, Jim and Steve Buono) and the company began to gain a reputation as a dependable family-owned and -operated service provider.

Missiti reminisced on her first NPMA event, NPMA Academy, in Arizona, and the relationships she made and has sustained for years. Through an emotional tribute, she credited the New England Pest Management Association, as well as continued support from her family and colleagues, on her success as a woman in pest control.

“It’s about the people,” Missiti said. “I do not fit the label of a pest management professional and there were many obstacles along the way. My uncle, and business partner, we have always said we have a good balance, but I think we have a great balance. Thank you for your work ethic and support.”

Tuesday’s keynote speaker and opening session, sponsored by Corteva, featured Sebastian Terry, a best-selling author and thought leader. Coining the phrase, The Passion Effect, Terry’s passion to see others achieve has seen him use his one-of-a-kind story and custom models to create a positive ripple for peak performance, wellbeing and thriving workplace culture.

Terry received a phone call when he was 25 years old that changed his life. “One of my closest friends growing up, Chris, tragically died overnight,” he said. “I remember sitting on the floor next to the phone and began asking myself, ‘Why am I here? What am I doing [with my life]?’ I thought if Chris knew he only had 24 years on earth, would he have loved the same way or would he have changed anything?”

 From that moment on, he was determined to live life to the fullest. He grabbed a pen and paper and wrote 100 things that made him happy, realizing his goals and ambitions were in front of him.

Terry said people are stronger together than as individuals “while learning and sharing with each other. Community is such an important part of growth.”

Later, attendees earned CEUs through education sessions and walked the exhibit hall floor to learn about the latest pest control products and technology.

PestWorld continues through Friday. Check back on PCT for continuing coverage.