FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — The Virginia Pest Management Association (VPMA) announced that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam appointed Charles T. Church, president of Getem Services, and a member of the VPMA Board of Directors to the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VBACS). Church moves into the Commercial Structural Pesticide Applicator seat vacated by Kevin Kordek, who served the maximum allowable time of 8 years on this Board.
“As an outgoing Board member, I am proud to say that the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services is composed of great people who feed, clothe and deliver forestry products to Virginia and the world. Over the past eight years, the VPMA has established trust and value with this group as the first non-Agricultural Board Member. We brought experience and enlightenment regarding the importance of the pest management industry’s contribution to protecting health and property and relevance to their daily lives,” says Kevin Kordek. “I have every confidence that Charlie Church will continue with this tradition as a strong and balanced voice of the VPMA and its members. Charlie brings a great deal of knowledge, experience and leadership to the Board and he will be welcomed with open arms.”
The VBACS is a policy board in the executive branch of state government that may promulgate public policies or regulations, promote the agricultural interests of the Commonwealth, and advise the Governor on the state of the agricultural industry. Policies and regulations enforced by the Office of Pesticide Services within VDACS are under the authority of this Board. The VBACS is also charged with adjudicating violations of the regulations.
VPMA President Rhonda Elmore says “I would like to personally congratulate Charlie on his appointment by Governor Northam to the VBACS. This seat is incredibly important to our industry and I know Charlie will thrive in his new role with pride and integrity and will be an amazing advocate for Virginia pest management professionals.”
Prior to 2012, the authority over pesticide regulation was held by the Pesticide Control Board (PCB). VPMA Past-President, Joe R. Wilson sat on this Board from its inception in 1989, protecting the interests of the pest management industry, until June 30, 2012 when the PCB was abolished, and its duties were transferred to the VBACS.
Church steps into this seat previously held by past VPMA leaders with a great background in leadership. He is a 3-term past president of VPMA. He is currently serving his 20th year on the VPMA Board as a Director. He also chairs the Safety Committee, and serves on the Finance and Legal, Legislative and Regulatory committees. In the Industry for 45 years, Church is president of Getem Services, a company started by his grandfather in 1922. Charlie says of this appointment, “I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve my industry and the whole Commonwealth as a member of the VBACS. I hope to serve in the tradition of Joe Wilson and Kevin Kordek, with the best interests of the pest management industry – protectors of health, property and the environment – and the citizens of Virginia.”