Speakers
Dr. Dieudonné Baributsa
Purdue University Department of Entomology
Dr. Dieudonné Baributsa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at Purdue University. He obtained his masters and PhD from Michigan State University. Dieudonné worked at Michigan State University as a Visiting Assistant Professor and the Program Associate for the USAID project in in Central Asia. Before joining MSU, Dieudonné worked as the researcher and Director of an Agricultural Research Station in Northern Rwanda. He joined the Purdue's Department of Entomology as a Research Assistant Professor in 2012. He currently leads the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) Program aimed at reducing postharvest storage losses among smallholder farmers. Dieudonné focuses on applied research and innovative extension approaches to address post-harvest storage pest losses in developing countries. Dieudonné broad areas of interest include agricultural technology development/dissemination; supply chain and market development for agricultural technologies; and ICT innovations in agriculture. He has received the following awards: Purdue Agriculture TEAM Award, Purdue Improved Crop Storage Team; Purdue University Corps of Engagement Award, Purdue Improved Crop Storage Team; Seed Award, Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS3) Project, Purdue University; Seed Award, Purdue Afghan Agricultural Extension Project (AEEP), Purdue University; International IPM Excellence Award, Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (team award); Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage Project (PICS) named "Best Practice" by Interaction, a consortium of NGOs, Washington, DC; International IPM Excellence Award, IPM CRSP Project.
Dr. Mike Bentley
National Pest Management Association
Dr. Mike Bentley is the Director of Training and Education for the National Pest Management Association. He is a board certified entomologist who holds a Ph.D. in urban entomology from the University of Florida. His doctorate research focused on understanding environmental factors that influence the success of invasive ants in the southeastern US. Prior to earning his doctorate, Mike spent 5 years working in the pest management industry where he held multiple technical and operations roles for a nationwide pest control company. Mike also has a Master of Science degree in medical and veterinary entomology from the University of Florida where he studied the host-seeking behavior of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.
Sean Brantley
Emory, Brantley & Sons Termite & Pest Control Inc.
Sean Brantley is Vice President at Emory, Brantley & Sons Termite & Pest Control Inc. in Pinellas, Florida. He is a 3rd generation PCO and native Floridian. He is a regular instructor at the University of Florida’s School of Structural Fumigation, a Florida CEU provider, a Director for the FPMA, the Florida Pest Management Association's Fumigation Advisory Committee Chairperson, FPMA Government Affairs Committee Chairperson, member of the NPMA Fumigation Committee, the Florida NPMA SPAR, expert witness for fumigation related cases and consultant for industry. He holds a degree from St. Petersburg College, University of Florida's Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Dr. Grzegorz Buczkowski
Purdue University Department of Entomology
Dr. Grzegorz Buczkowski is an Associate Professor and Director of the Industrial Affiliates Program, Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management at Purdue University. Grzesiek has over 20 years’ experience working with and researching ants and cockroaches. He received his BS, MS, and Ph.D. degrees from North Carolina State University.
Dr. Bobby Corrigan
RMC Pest Management
Dr. Bobby Corrigan has been active in urban and industrial pest management for over 35 years and is owner of RMC Pest Management in Richmond, Indiana. He provides training and consulting services to the pest management and food industries. Prior to forming his company, Bobby was a teacher and researcher in urban and industrial pest management with the Department of Entomology at Purdue University. Bobby’s experience ranges from technician to author. Bobby holds an AAS degree in pest control from State University of New York, a B.S. degree in Urban and Industrial Entomology from Purdue, and Masters and Ph.D. also from Purdue. He is easily one of the most requested speakers to appear on the Purdue conference program.
Dr. Bob Davis
BASF Professional & Specialty Solutions
Dr. Bob Davis has a varied employment background. Positions have included; Fisheries Biologist, Pest Control Operator, Pest Control Technician, Extension Research Specialist, Graduate Research Assistant, Technical Director for ABC Pest & Lawn Services of Austin, TX and Technical Field Representative for Aventis and Bayer Environmental Sciences. Bob is presently employed as a Technical Services Representative for BASF Professional & Specialty Solutions. Bob received his educational degrees from the University of Nebraska (UNL). At UNL he received a BS degree in Natural Resources and his MS and Ph.D. from UNL. He is a Board Certified Entomologist and is active in the Entomological Society of America. His graduate work was focused on testing and evaluating termite control materials and techniques. Bob has multiple publications in peer reviewed journals and has provided educational materials and articles through extension and professional magazine venues. He has provided many and varied educational and research presentations in our industry for over twenty-five years.
Ed Freytag
New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board
Ed Freytag currently works for the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board. His experience includes: Supervisor of City Facilities pest control, photography and videography, assists in mosquito, termite and rodent control activities, presents PowerPoint talks at recertification classes in-state and out of state, conducts termite inspections in City buildings and for the pest control industry. He holds an MS degree in Entomology from the University of Wyoming. He was won several photography awards, including first-place twice for the Pest Control Technology magazine contest. He also photographed and filmed the construction and deconstruction of the Tiny Termite House project for the National Pest Management Association. He was born in Honduras, attended high school in Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. He was infected with Dengue in his sophomore year of high school.
Dr. Ameya Gondhalekar
Purdue University Department of Entomology
Dr. Ameya Gondhalekar is a research assistant professor and sponsored product research manager in the Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management at Purdue University. He is originally from Mumbai, India where he received his bachelors and masters degrees in Agricultural Sciences and Entomology, respectively. His training in Urban Entomology began at the University of Florida, where he completed his PhD working with German cockroach toxicology and resistance management. After a brief 1 year post-doctoral training at Purdue he was hired as a research faculty at Purdue's Urban Entomology center. His research program focuses on basic biology and integrated management of urban insect pests. Although Dr. Gondhalekar has experience in working with biology and management of all major urban insect pests, he is currently working with cockroaches and bed bugs. The ultimate goal of his basic biology research is to identify physiological weak links in insect development that can be targeted to improve current control strategies or devise novel control methods. And the long-term goal of the applied/ management aspects of his research are to find new ways to overcome insecticide resistance in urban pests, develop non-chemical technologies for use in urban IPM and improve current IPM techniques. Ameya has been actively working in the field of urban entomology research and/or pest management for just over 10 years. He has been invited to present the Urban and Structural Entomology research highlights in the Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology (MUVE) section business meeting at the Entomological Society of America (ESA) annual meeting in Vancouver, BC, Canada. He has served as a speaker at several NPMA and Industry sponsored conferences and webinars. He also provides consultation to various pest control companies on bed bug and cockroach control and insecticide resistance management.
Dr. Kathy Heinsohn
American Pest
Dr. Kathy Heinsohn has over 27 years of experience in the Pest Control Industry. She is a Training and Technical Entomologist for American Pest (AP) in the Washington DC metro area (Fulton, M.D). She has worked at American Pest since April, 2010. Prior to coming to A.P., she was the Senior Staff Entomologist with the National Pest Management Association (N.P.M.A.) in Fairfax, V.A. from January, 2006 until March, 2010. Before working at N.P.M.A., she was a Regional Entomologist also in the DC metro area with Western Pest Services for almost 8 years. In all of her positions, she has been responsible for developing and delivering training and technical programs for Industry P.M.P.s (technicians, their supervisors, and salespeople) and also for their customers; she has worked in all areas of pest management: residential, termite and commercial divisions, including sensitive accounts. She is currently affiliated with A.P.’s Government Division and is the Contract Entomologist for the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) Animal Care account. She conducts Quality Control inspections and consulting on pest issues for all areas at NIH, including Animal Care, Patient Care, Support, and Food Service. She also participates in the State Department Embassy program for solving pest problems and has helped put together an IPM online class for embassy staff, as well as travelled to the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia to deliver an IPM program. She is currently a member of N.P.M.A.’s Technical Committee. She formerly sat on the Copesan Technical Committee, as well. She is a past Secretary, Director, and 3-time student scholarship recipient of Pi Chi Omega, the pest control fraternity. She was a member of the Editorial Board for Pest Management Professional Magazine for 5 years. Kathy has also authored two book chapters in PCT’s Guide to Commercial Pest Management. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Zoology from Clemson University and a Ph.D. in Urban Entomology (Dr. Gary Bennett’s lab) from Purdue University. She was a Fulbright scholar to Germany in 1985 and a PEO scholar in 1994. She is a Board Certified Entomologist (B.C.E.) in two areas of entomology (Urban and Structural Pest Management since 2001) and (Medical and Veterinary since 2018). She is also an ACE exam development committee member for the Entomological Society of America (ESA). She was awarded the Distinguished Service Award to the ESA’s Certification Program in 2014.
Patrick Kelley
Insects Limited, Inc.
Patrick Kelley is president of Insects Limited, Inc. in Westfield, Indiana. He has 32 years’ experience with Insects Limited and was the former General Manager of Fumigation Service and Supply. He holds a BS from Purdue University and a MS in Entomology from the University of Nebraska. Pat is a board certified entomologist. He co-authored the chapter on Stored Product Insects in the 10th Edition of the Mallis Handbook of Pest Control. Pat is a consultant to the food and grain industries on issues related to stored product insects.
Dr. Dini M. Miller
Virginia Tech University
Dr. Dini M. Miller is a Professor at the Virginia Tech University, and the Urban Pest Management Specialist for the state of Virginia. Dr. Miller is an internationally recognized expert in the area of urban pest management, particularly bed bug biology, behavior and control. She has produced a number of bed bug action plans for the management of infestations in different environments, and published one of the first scientific papers evaluating modern bed bug response to insecticide treatments in the field. Dr. Miller’s extension program is designed to train pest management professionals, public health officials, apartment and hotel managers, and homeowners to control indoor pests while reducing their pesticide exposure risk. Likewise, her research program focuses on the evaluation and enhancement of reduced toxicity methods for structural pest control. Dini received her undergraduate degree from UCLA in 1991 where she majored in Geography/Ecosystems. She completed her Masters (1994) and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Florida (1998) where she studied Urban Entomology, specifically German cockroach biology and aggregation behavior. Dr. Miller has won numerous awards for her work in urban entomology including the pest control industry’s Crown Leadership Award, the Entomological Society of America’s (Eastern Branch) Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension, and the Gamma Sigma Delta Award of Merit in Extension, the 2012 Virginia Tech University Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension and most recently the Virginia Pest Management Industry Stewardship Award in 2014.
Dr. Miller and her graduate students have been spending numerous hours in the field and the laboratory evaluating the efficacy of our current bed bug, cockroach and subterranean termite control tools. In 2014, Dr. Miller and Molly Stedfast developed the Virginia Tech Bed Bug and Urban Pest Information Center (funded by the Virginia Pesticide Control Act). The purpose of the center is to prepare the pest management industry, apartment managers, schools, shelters, and hotel personnel for the challenges inherent in managing pest infestations (particularly bed bugs) throughout the next decade.
Jared Miller
Varment Guard
Jared Miller is a wildlife and bird manager at Varment Guard. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Wildlife and Fish Management from Hocking Collage and a BS from the University of Idaho in Wildlife Resources. He has 5 years’ experience as a Wildlife Technician and 6 years as a manager both at Varment Guard.
Jeff McGovern
Professional Speaker
Jeff McGovern is nationally recognized in the pest control industry. In 1973, Jeff began working in the pest control industry and held various positions within several companies that allowed him travel throughout the US and SE Asia. Jeff developed a unique perspective with extraordinary examples of pest control options and a mission. Through his mission to improve conventional methods of IPM programs, he created an effective and comprehensive program that not only addresses the pests, but also the conditions of the site that lead to the problem. His “12 Key Factors” program is currently in use by professional pest control operators and clients around the world. Jeff’s mission continues to drive change in the pest control industry. Jeff, sometimes referred to as the “Pest Coach” for his abundant knowledge of pests, is known for his practical, down to earth style; Jeff’s engaging and humorous personality enable him to connect with his audience immediately and deliver content that they can utilize immediately in their daily working environment. He also understands the demands and expectations of government agencies and works to create a program that not only meets the needs and protects the brand of the client but assures the health, safety and property of the public as well. As a leading consultant and pest control expert, Jeff is a speaker at the annual Purdue University Pest Management and Interstate Pest Management (Baltimore, MD) conferences. His active relationships with professionals at the USDA and numerous others in the field keep his recommendations current and dynamic. He teaches recertification classes for pest control firms and state associations across the country. His articles regularly appear in Pest Management Professional (PMP) and Pest Control Technology (PCT) magazines and he was published in The Journal of Economic Entomology in 2000. He appears in several training videos and has been the voice over talent as well.
Arnold Ramsey
FMC Corporation
Arnold Ramsey serves as the Midwest Market Specialist for FMC Corporation where his responsibilities include pesticide sales, field technical essistance and product R&D. He holds a BS in Chemistry from San Diego State University. His FMC career includes Midwest Market Specialist (3) years, Midwest Sales Manager (7) years, Formulations Chemist (2.5) years, Residue (Analytical) Environmental Chemist (4) years, Corporate Technical Representative (4) years. Prior to his FMC career, Mr. Ramsey worked as a Pest Management Professional for the Dept. of Defense (2) yrs. – Total 23.5 (yrs)
Dr. Claudia Riegel
New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board
Dr. Claudia Riegel holds a BS from Purdue University, an MS from the University of Georgia and a PhD from the University of Florida in Entomology and Nematology. She is a senior entomologist for the city of New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board, where she provides technical support for the City of New Orleans and the pest control industry, conducts independent research, collaborates with industry for enhancements of existing products and testing of new products and collaborates with government organizations and universities on research projects.
Scott Robbins
Action Pest Control
Scott Robbins has over nineteen years' experience in the pest management industry. He is an Associate Certified Entomologist as recognized by the Entomological Society of America and holds applicator certifications in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. Scott is also an OSHA General Industry Outreach Trainer. Scott serves as Technical Director for Action Pest Control and is responsible for overseeing all facets of technician training, quality assurance and evaluating emerging pest management technologies.
Dr. Adam Salyer
Purdue University Department of Entomology
Dr. Adam Salyer holds a B.A. in Biology and Music: from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. After completing a Masters degree at Purdue in urban ant ecology and behavior, Adam continued to study ant behavior and phylogeny for a PhD within Urban and Industrial Pest Management under Dr. Mike Scharf and Dr. Gary Bennet at Purdue. His PhD research focused on building a “family tree” of black carpenter ants (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) and determining the relative importance of genetic vs. geographic closeness of carpenter ants in their aggressive interactions. Adam spent 7 years helping organize and plan Purdue’s pest management conferences and appreciates the many opportunities to learn and network throughout knowledgeable industry professionals.
Dominique Sauvage
Copesan
Dominique Sauvage has 34 year’s experience in Pest Control and Food Safety throughout the Food and Pharmaceutical industry in 13 different countries. He has experience in the following fields: Food Defense coordinator Level 2; HACCP trainer, Lead HACCP auditor and Preventative Controls Qualified Individual; food safety audits standards and requirements. He has written and presented 10 papers at International Congresses about pest control and food safety as well as 8 articles for 4 different national magazines on Pest Control and HACCP. He is the owner of a Pest Control and Food Safety training and Audit company in Southern Africa. He has carried out over 2,500 Pest Control and Food Safety Audits to date in all fields of the Food and Pharmaceutical Industry’s. He has trained over 6,000 people from varies types of Food Manufacturing Industries. His current position at Copesan as Director of Field Operations affords him the opportunity to influence over 3,500 people and ensure that they are successful in their careers.
Dr. Mike Scharf
Purdue University Department of Entomology
Dr. Mike Scharf is the O. Wayne Rollins/Orkin Chaired Professor in the Department of Entomology at Purdue University. Dr. Scharf earned all three of his degrees from Purdue – a bachelor’s degree in entomology (1991), a master's in urban entomology (1993) and a doctorate in insect toxicology/urban entomology (1997). In 2010 Mike returned to Purdue from the University of Florida where he was an assistant and associate professor from 2004-2010. As an entomologist, Mike has always been interested in physiological adaptations in insects that drive evolutionary divergence, especially those adaptations with “real-world” significance such as pesticide resistance. Mike teaches a course on incest toxicology at Purdue, as well as other topics related urban entomology and insect physiology. He has developed an internationally recognized program that addresses various aspects of physiology, toxicology, genomics, development, symbiosis and digestion in urban pest insects.
David Scott
Office of the Indiana State Chemist
David Scott is currently in the position of pesticide administrator the Office of the Indiana State Chemist. He has held the past positions of OISC Certification and Licensing Manager, OISC Pesticide Investigator and structural pest control service manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree in general sciences and biology from Purdue University.
Mark Sheperdigian
Rose Pest Solutions
Mark Sheperdigian Is Vice President of Technical Services with Rose Pest Solutions in Troy, Michigan. His responsibilities include solving company-wide technical issues, developing protocols, troubleshooting, insect/pest ID, manufacturing/vendor relationships, future trends, and forecasting/anticipating developing issues. He has over 30 years’ experience in the pest management industry and holds a B.S. in Entomology from Michigan State University. Shep is a Board Certified Entomologist and a member and past chairman of the Copesan Technical Committee. He has served on the NPMA Technical committee, Commercial committee, the Canine Insect Detection Committee, and the Technical Committee. He is a Pi Chi Omega Board Member and writes a monthly column for Pest Management Professional Magazine.
Darren Van Steenwyk
Clark Pest Control
Darren Van Steenwyk is currently employed by Clark Pest Control as their Technical Director out of Lodi, California. There, he evaluates products for treatment, establishes basic treatment protocols, deals with regulators and government affairs and represents Clark in various venues. He holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences (Plant Biology) from UC Davis and a Masters in Pest Management from University of Florida. He is a Board Certified Entomologist, a LEED Green Associate, and he led Clark to achieve the IPM Innovator Award from the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). Darren is active in NPMA (The NPMA Board of Directors, Pest Management Foundation), the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) as part of their Legislative Committee and Water Quality Committee; he also works with DPR in surface water, pyrethroid and rodenticide issues.
Mark Vander Werp
Rose Pest Solutions
Mark Vander Werp is the Manager of Education and Training for Rose Pest Solutions in Troy, Michigan where he has been employed for 13 years. He holds a BS in Entomology from Michigan State. He is a licensed applicator in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Mark is a Board Certified Entomologist and a member of the Michigan Entomological Society. He was the first to discover and document a new invasive species in Michigan, the Elm Seed Bug (Arocatus melanocephalus).
Gene White
Rentokil
Gene White is a native Ohioan who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Glenville State College, Glenville, West Virginia. Gene's career in Urban Pest Management began in 1981 with experience as technician, sales consultant, supervisor, district manager, and corporate trainer. In 1993 he enrolled at Purdue University and completed his MS degree in Entomology in December of 1996. Gene is an Entomological Society of America Board Certified Entomologist and Global Director of Vector Management for Rentokil-Initial. Rentokil’s corporate offices are headquartered in the United Kingdom and is the largest structural pest management company in the world with offices in 72 countries. Gene’s professional activities include memberships in the Entomological Society of America and secretary for Pi Chi Omega, a profession pest management fraternity. He is also a member of the Purdue Entomology Development Council. During his career, Gene’s created several outreach programs for youth education. One program called “Incredible Edible Insects” reigned for 23 years and was part of Cleveland Metro Parks “Bug City’s - Culinary Bugstitute” event. He also initiated a basic entomology learning program called “Bug Rodeo” presented to underprivileged and summer camp children in Detroit for 10 years! Aside from these duties, Gene is also a regular speaker for industry conferences for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), the Kentucky Short Course, Purdue Pest Management Conference, and state organizations across the country. Gene enjoys inline skating, bow hunting, fly fishing, firearm marksmanship, and is an accomplished nature photographer. His photographic work has been published in American Entomologist, Pest Control Technology and Pest Management Magazines as well as various industry text books such as;the NPMA’s Field Guide to Structural Pests, the Mallis Handbook of Pest Control, Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Management Operations, A Guide to the Cockroaches of Australia, Bugs Be Gone, and Stored Product Protection to name just a few. His photography has also appeared on the Discovery Channel.
