Pest Management Foundation Appoints Bentley as Executive Director

FAIRFAX, Va. – The Pest Management Foundation named Dr. Michael Bentley executive director of the organization. Bentley succeeds Jim Fredericks, who was recently named executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA).

Bentley also serves as the director of education and training for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

Bentley earned a master of science in medical and veterinary entomology from the University of Florida where he studied the host-seeking behavior of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes. He is a board-certified entomologist who holds a doctorate in urban entomology from the University of Florida.

Bentley’s doctorate research focused on understanding environmental factors that influence the success of invasive ants in the southeastern U.S. He also spent five years working in the pest management industry where he held multiple technical and operations roles for a nationwide pest control company.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Bentley join the Pest Management Foundation as our new executive director. His unique background combining years working with NPMA, leading his own scholarly research, as well as his direct experience in the pest management industry make him an ideal executive leader for the Foundation,” said Alfred Treleven, chair of the foundation’s board of trustees and CEO of Sprague Pest Control, Inc. in Tacoma, Wash.

The mission of the foundation is to support education, research and outreach in urban entomology and structural pest management across North America and foster collaboration between industry and the research community.