Our Working Committees and Liaisons
Working Committees
The Planning Committee is responsible for all of the planning that goes into the meetings it holds biannually: the Midyear BOD meeting and the Annual Conference. Planning these meetings encompasses identifying current and relevant agenda topics and notable speakers with expertise in the topic areas; identifying a host state and location for the meeting; entering into a contract with a suitable hotel that has appropriate space for the plenary sessions and committee meetings; and arranging site tours and receptions locations if not held in the hotel. The committee comprised of the Past President, President, Vice President (Chair), Treasurer, Executive Secretary, Host State, and Industry Representatives.
Members:
• Ryan Okey, Chair
• Kelly Friend, Vice President
• Allison Cuellar, Secretary
• Grant Bishop, Treasurer
• Michael Page, Executive Secretary
• Liza Fleeson Trossbach, Past President
• Jim Fredericks, NPMA
• Jim Wright, BASF
• Bret Allen, Host State, Minnesota
• Christine Wicks, Host State, Minnesota
Green building standards, a new type of certification program promulgated internationally and in the U.S., were being developed utilizing materials and construction practices that would enhance energy efficiency and reduce exposure to chemicals and pesticides to building occupants. However, some of these requirements being developed would have complicated and hindered pest management professionals from performing optimally and placed limits on the use of pesticide tools that could be used to control pests in structures certified under the developing standards.
The Building Code Committee was established to offer expertise in the areas where green construction practices and limitations on pesticide tools may impede pest management professionals from solving structural pest problems. The committee has advised this group on issues such as structural integrated pest management (IPM), termite control construction practices and fumigation pest control.
The committee also responds to proposed changes to the international building codes and green building standards that could affect the effectiveness of pest control or pest control regulation. Proposed revisions to building codes are reviewed for impact on state pest control regulatory programs and the effectiveness of pest control, and revisions are proposed, as appropriate, that help facilitate and promote good structural pest management. The committee develops and provides resources and guidance to state lead agencies on building construction practices and state and local building codes.
Recent activities:
- Polyurethane Spray Foam Insulation Survey of State Lead Agencies.
- Polyurethane Spray Foam Insulation white paper.
- Maintain contact with International Code Council (ICC) through membership and monitor proposed changes as part of code cycle to review any modifications that impact practice of or regulation of structural pest control. The ICC develops the International Codes, a coordinated, modern set of building codes used in all 50 states.
- Monitor the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) green certification program and provide guidance where green policy may impact pest management.
- Track resources in state programs for building code activity (e.g. in Florida, FDACS provides CEUS to builders and building code officials on termite prevention measures).
Members:
- Grant Bishop, Chair (WV)
- Rick Bell (Arrow Exterminators)
- Cindy Fulton (WY)
- Jim Fredericks (NPMA)
- Allen Fugler (HIIG Xterminator Pro)
- Faye Golden (Cook’s Pest Control)
- Chris Gorecki (Rollins)
- Susanne Graham (Massey Services)
- Marie Horner (Arrow Exterminators)
- Staci Johnston (Ecolab)
- Robert Kunst (Fisher Env Cons)
- Derrick Lastinger (GA)
- Tim McPherson (Douglas Products)
- Roger Miksad (Wiley Rein, LLC)
- Ryan Okey (SC)
- Bonnie Rabe (Rollins)
- Clint Shettle (VA)
- Chuck Tindol (Cook's Pest Control)
During ASPCRO’s Board of Director’s meeting, held August 18, 2020 (via Zoom), a brief presentation was provided on the Association’s new website design. As part of the presentation, a request was made to have the Communications committee reinstated to assist with the revised website’s cosmetic, organizational structure and functionality.
HISTORY: Effective on April 19, 2016, the Communications Committee was inactivated and combined into the Annual Meeting Planning Committee. A cursory review of the committee’s reports indicate that the primary function of the Communications Committee was the creation and management of the Association’s website, which began circa 2010. At that time, there was a need to take over the responsibility from Purdue University which previously maintained the website. The University’s decision to recoup the costs of managing the website prompted the decision to move the website and its contents from Purdue’s server to a commercially available web host server. In doing this, ASPCRO assumed responsibility for the costs and management of the website. Network Solutions was the web host chosen and it is where the website is currently housed.
Historical records indicate that the committee chose to utilize Drupal as the Content Management Software (CMS). Drupal is an open-source (i.e., “free”) web software program that provides for HTML and other forms of website content in easy-to-use File Transfer Protocol (FTP) format. To accommodate the learning curve of ASPCRO’s committee members the website design consisted of a series of Word documents and .pdf files organized around 7 menu headings. Since the website’s transfer and management to ASPCRO in November 2014, the website has accumulated a vast amount of records from its annual and midyear meetings, committee meetings, numerous surveys, and model regulations, guiding documents and historical documents. The websites organizational framework, although simple, has made it difficult to locate documents or research topics of interest. ASPCRO has essentially outgrown its current website. The website’s utility and functionality became an issue for the ASPCRO BOD’s in 2019. The Association therefore sought to make improvements, expand its utility and functionality for use by the membership and its industry and association partners.
Initially, an in-house review of the website was conducted by the BOD where it was recognized that cosmetic and functional enhancements were highly desired. Although Drupal provided an easy-to-use format for maintaining its content, the CMS was quite limited in its ability to provide flexibility to enhance its organizational structure and upgrade its functionality. In addition to hosting the website content, email services are typically bundled with website host providers. After a review of the current web host’s services, it was learned that there are several limitations to Network Solutions email services and the search for another website host with technical support capabilities, and with more advanced and secure email capabilities began in late November 2019.
After a search for a modern and up-to-date CMS that could provide the enhancements was undertaken, WordPress was chosen as the CMS for several reasons; most notably because it is also an open-source software, it is easy to learn and use and provides a myriad number of tools (modules) that provide a wide array of possibilities for website designers. WordPress also serves over 60% of the website CMS market and is updated by a user community that is dedicated to its continuous improvement. It is a web designer’s dream software. Theoretically, if you can dream of a function you want to put into your website, you can build it in WordPress! Along with a new CMS language a new web host provider was chosen to assist with the building of the new website and act as a source for technical assistance in the development of new functionalities. After reviewing several companies, GoDaddy was subsequently chosen as that new web host.
COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES: There are four primary tasks that are needed to support and maintain the new website. Identified below are those tasks with a brief explanation of each item.
- Improve Organizational Structure – Most of the organizational structure of the current website has been conserved in the new website. There is a large amount of information that has accumulated on the website and reorganizing the information into distinct categories is necessary for improved data utility. For example, ASPCRO has conducted many surveys over the years, some of which still have relevance to today’s needs. Reorganizing such information so that a visitor can readily access these surveys in a single area would be an improvement in the search for historic and current information on several topic areas.
- Develop Searchable Functionality – Developing a searchable functionality in the new website will require the development of a document identification system or ‘document naming convention’ and placing these documents into a spreadsheet which will provide for search results. The development of a search function is dependent on an improved organizational structure (discussed above) and represents a completely different phase of the new website’s development. A team effort will greatly simplify this important task.
- Buildout of Special Webpages – The current website contains 7 menu choices, each with information on important topics relevant to our membership. The new website now has added three additional areas including a blog post page, a professional training page and a page concerned with hot topics the Association is undertaking. Collecting website content (information pertinent to a topic) will also require a team effort.
- Strategy for Continued Maintenance – Historically, the website was managed by more than one ASPCRO member. That is not a currently reality. At this time the website is managed by the ASPCRO Executive Secretary. A redundancy in capable individuals is needed to ensure continued management of the new website. This will require secondary web savvy individuals with some operating knowledge of WordPress. Therefore, an important task related to this committee will be to train willing members in how to upload and organize material on the new website.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Communications Committee please RSVP to mpage@aspcro.org at your earliest convenience. Should you have additional questions about your participation, your qualifications for membership or the time investment, please contact Michael Page at the email above to discuss this assignment further.
The committee is responsible for soliciting nominations from the membership for the Association's most prestigious award, the Hall of Fame Award.
Members:
- George Saxton, Chair
The rapid pace of changing federal and state structural pest control regulations and the myriad number of structural pest related problems facing the U.S. results in the need for continuous training of administrators, managers and supervisors, and investigators/inspectors of state pesticide regulatory programs.
The Inspector Training Committee was established to identify the training needs within the State Lead Agency (SLA) responsible for administering structural pest control laws and regulations. The Committee solicits input from SLA's on special needs and topics areas, such as training on termite inspections, and developing specific skills and abilities related to structural pest control enforcement inspections are identified for the benefit of SLA structural programs. Those needs are communicated to the U.S. EPA and the Regions for the development of specialized training opportunities such as the Pesticide Regulatory Education Program (PREP) and Pesticide Inspector Residential Training (PIRT). Every opportunity is made to enhance the regulatory experience of managers and staff and to advance their understanding of complex and relevant regulatory issues and the use of new pest management technologies through the use of state and private training facilities.
Members:
• George Saxton, Chair, (IN)
• Stephen Baca, (NM)
• Brian Kennedy, (AZ)
• Kevin Gibson, (IN)
• Faye Golden, (Cook’s Pest Control)
• Jay Kelley, (IN)
• Matthew Lopez, (NM)
The committee was established to identify and develop strategies which decrease pesticide misuse through clear, concise, consistent, and enforceable language on structural pesticide labels.
Members:
- Micah Raub, Chair (VA)
- Andrew Architect, (NPMA)
- Greg Baumann, (Nisus Corporation)
- Jonathan Berger, (BASF)
- Jan Brill, (Bayer CropScience, LP)
- Meshea Brodie, (BASF)
- Allison Cuellar (TX)
- Judy Fersch, (BASF)
- Shannon Fitzgerald, (GA)
- Jim Fredericks (NPMA)
- Alvin Harris, (D.C. Department of Environment)
- Ken Kendall, (Ensystex, Inc.)
- Mel Kyle, (Consultant)
- Tim McPherson, (Douglas Products)
- Bonnie Rabe, (Rollins)
- Nina Rao, (BASF)
- John Scott, (CO)
- Julie Spagnoli, (JM Specialty Consulting)
- Buzz Vance, (NE)
- Mike Weyman (SC)
- Jim Wright, (Jim Wright Consulting, LLC)
- Thomas Wright, (Pest Pro Academy)
The nominations committee is responsible for soliciting nominations from the membership for individuals interested in placement on the ASPCRO Board of Directors.
Members:
- George Saxton, Chair
The Pest Management in Schools Committee’s mission is to assist member states with the improvement and implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and concepts in their respective states with the goal of promoting and protecting Children’s Environmental Safety.
Members:
- Allison Cuellar, Chair (TX)
- Jim Burnette (NC)
- Beth Carter (IN)
- Africa Dórame-Avalos ( )
- Seth Dunlap (AR)
- Carl Falco (Consultant)
- Brian Forschler (UGA)
- Janet Hurley (TAMU)
- Derrick Lastinger (GA)
- Faith Oi (UFL)
- Lee Tanner (EPA)
The committee was established as a liaison to assist State/Tribal/Territorial Lead Agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency and other stakeholders with emerging pest concerns which threaten public health. Chief among these concerns are the use of pesticide tools in improving and protecting communities through the development of pest prevention and vector control strategies; facilitating dialogue among stakeholders and leveraging resources that can be utilized to aid stakeholders and affiliates; and actively monitoring federal and state activities related to pests of public health concern. In addition, the committee serves as a source of information on pest management treatments and strategies on a broad range of public health pests including mosquitoes, ticks, bed bugs, cockroaches, birds and rodents.
Note: At the March 27, 2017 ASPCRO Midyear Meeting, the Board of Directors unanimously agreed that is was appropriate to transition the Bed Bug Committee into a “Public Health Committee” and to focus on a broader range of public health issues and pests.
Members:
• Mary Begin, Chair (D.C. Department of Environment)
• Donald Baumgartner (US EPA)
• Stan Cope (Atlantic Paste and Glue)
• Tim Drake (SC)
• Jim Fredericks (NPMA)
• Kelly Friend (FL)
• Norman Goldenberg (Consultant)
• Susan Jennings (US EPA)
• Michael Kelly (TX)
• Julie Spagnoli (JM Consulting Specialties)
• Jim Warneke (NC)
• Jenny Wren (GA)
• Tom Wright (Pest Pro Academy)
Rodenticides are an important tool that commercial applicators, agricultural businesses and homeowners use to ensure rodents do not impact the health and safety of the general public or domestic animals. ASPCRO, as a collection of state regulators, has an important roll in providing guidance to state lead agencies that must educate and regulate the use and application of rodenticides by applicators in their respective states.
The Rodenticide Committee’s mission is primarily to address application issues related to residential structures and landscapes. In addition, the committee has proven invaluable in addressing the overlapping concerns commonly seen with agricultural applications related to rodent pest management and the intersection between rodent control and impacts to wildlife. The committee is primarily concerned with the loss of these important control tools that may result from the misuse of commercial and over-the-counter rodenticides and provides position papers and comments to the U.S. EPA during its registration and re-evaluation processes. The committee is also active in promoting the implementation of protective risk mitigation measures and other use restrictions for rodenticide active ingredients.
Members:
• Alvin Harris, Chair, (DC Department of Environment)
• Stephen Baca, (NM)
• Jonathon Berger, (BASF)
• Katherine Fedder, (Neogen Corporation)
• Jack Peterson, (AZ)
• John Scott, (CO)
• Katie Swift, (Liphatech)
The Structural Fumigation Committee was established in 2014 to be an advisory resource for U.S. EPA when non-soil (structural) fumigants are being reviewed through the Agency's registration review process. The committee will maintain open communication and dialogue with other associations and stakeholders to most efficiently and effectively coordinate and collaborate technical application concerns related to the special niche occupied by this class of fumigants.
Members:
- Derrick Lastinger (GA) Chair
- Rick Bell (Arrow Exterminators)
- Jesse Cuevas (CA)
- Dale Dubberly (Ensystex)
- Jim Fredericks (NPMA)
- Kelly Friend (FL)
- Allen Fugler (Capitol Risk)
- Cindy Fulton (WY)
- Norman Goldenberg (Namron)
- Michael Kelly (TX)
- Ken Kendall (Ensystex)
- Tim McPherson (Douglas Products)
- Ryan Okey (SC)
- Bonnie Rabe (Rollins)
- John Scott (CO)
- Chuck Tindol (Rentokil)
The committee is charged with developing guidance and information resources for states when a structural misuse has occurred and to identify what clean-up or remediation efforts may need to be implemented that are protective of those responsible for remediation and cleanup operations. The resources developed may include incident response and remediation procedures and information that should be communicated to the public, regulated community and other state agencies.
Members:
• Clint Shettle, Chair (VA)
• Stephen Baca (NM)
• Mary Begin (D.C.)
• Linda Boccuzzo (VT)
• Roger Bryan (NC)
• Chad Carpenter (WV)
• Seth Dunlap (AR)
• Kelly Friend (FL)
• Cindy Fulton (WY)
• Cary Gigeure (VT)
• Brian Kennedy (AZ)
• Derrick Lastinger (GA)
• Victor Lennon (NC)
• Greg Minor (OH)
• Alan Pugh (AZ)
• Dave Scott (IN)
• Kevin Shelton (OK)
• Kelly Smith (AZ)
• Sara Vose (VT)
The Termiticide Label Review Committee (TLRC) was established to represent ASPCRO and act in an advisory capacity to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and termiticide registrants. The TLRC reviews and provides assessments of new and revised termiticide formulations, directions for use labeling, and reviews supporting efficacy data. The role of the TLRC is delineated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the EPA and ASPCRO, which established this committee.
The TLRC performs reviews on 1) new or novel active ingredients for soil treatments, termite baits, and wood-treatment products, and 2) amendments or revisions to termiticide label rates or methods of application for currently registered termite management products. Although input from the TLRC is not mandatory in the federal registration process, the EPA often recommends that pesticide registrants first seek input from the TLRC prior to finalizing their registration decision at the federal level. As a result, pesticide registrants often work directly with the TLRC prior to submitting a registration request to the EPA to ensure the states’ concerns are considered. This type of registrant/TLRC interaction allows for state regulatory considerations to be included in registration packets prior to federal registration decision-making.
In order to maintain trade secrets, all proceedings with the TLRC are kept confidential between the committee, the product registrant, and the EPA, and any committee reports submitted to the ASPCRO Board or the full ASPCRO membership are made in a manner to protect proprietary information.
Until recently, termiticide performance data were reviewed in accordance with the performance guidelines provided in Pesticide Registration Notice 96-7. In August 2011, the ASPCRO Board approved a performance efficacy guideline that the TLRC will apply to future reviews and label assessments. This guideline was developed in concert with the TLRC and the ASPCRO Termiticides Standard Committee (TSC) (Please see the TSC web-page for a narrative on the role and makeup of that committee).
Membership of the committee is described in the ASPCRO-US EPA MOU and is comprised of 3 to 5 state regulatory officials who are active members of ASPCRO; and a minimum of two representatives that have expertise in termites from the scientific community. Committee members and the chair serve 3-year, renewable terms. The chair of the committee must be one of the state regulatory officials.
Members:
- Ryan Okey, (SC) Chair
- Amy Brown, (FL)
- Allison Cuellar, (TX)
- Brian Forschler, (UGA)
- Brad Kard, (OSU)
- Derrick Lastinger, (GA)
- Dave Scott, (IN)
- Guy Shelton (US Forestry Service)
The committee was established to work with the U.S. EPA to review and comment on proposed efficacy policies and guidelines to update existing product performance standards and acceptable test conditions for all termite control products.
- Michael Weyman, Chair (SC)
- Jonathon Berger (BASF)
- Carl Falco (Consultant)
- Jim Fredericks (NPMA)
- Brad Kard (Oklahoma State University)
- Ryan Okey (SC)
- George Saxton (IN)
- Bobby Simoneaux (Ensystex)
This committee promotes ASPCRO sponsored training programs such as “Structural Compliance Assistance Training”.
Members:
• Vacant, Chair
• Mike Page (ASPCRO Executive Secretary)
• Derrick Lastinger (GA)
• Grant Bishop (WV)
Liaisons
Liza Fleeson Trossbach (VA), Liaison
ASPCRO's Update to SFIREG can be found here, under Meeting Materials.
George Saxton (IN)
Linda Johns (MN), Liaison
Liza Fleeson Trossbach (VA), Liaison