Record number of new ACEs

The ESA certification programs have been quite high profile recently. With exhibits at the Bed Bug Summit in Las Vegas, NV and then again at PestWorld in Boston, MA many new applications for both ACE and BCE have been received and processed.  This is an exciting time for ESA as we're seeing tremendous growth in awareness and certificants.

And November was through the roof.

Fueled in large part by the successful ACE Prep courses offered simultaneously in Knoxville, TN and Griffin, GA, November 16th, 2012 set a new high-water mark for the most pest management professionals to earn their ACE certification on the same day.  Congratulations to our newest ACEs. On the list below, all but Bill Melville earned their ACE on Nov. 16, 2012:

1. Bill Melville, Orkin (Mississauga, ON Canada)*
2. Shaun Reeves, Reeves Pest Control (Culleoka, TN)
3. Betty Hilger, Orkin (Bloomington, IN)
4. Kevin Mills, OPC Pest Control (Louisville, KY)
5. Donald Partin, OPC Pest Control (Shepherdsville, KY)
6. Jay Connors, Terminix (Orlando, FL)
7. Aaron Veal, Russell's Pest Control (Knoxville, TN)
8. Patrick Hickman, OPC Pest Control (Louisville, KY)
9. Wayne Hammond, Ecolab Pest Elimination (Charlotte, NC)
10. Brett Partin, OPC Pest Control (Louisville, KY)
11. Gene Hilger, Orkin (Bloomington, IN)
12. Dan Cassidy, The Bug Man (Murfreesboro, TN)
13. Aron Thomas, Advanced Services for Pest Control (Augusta, GA)
14. Ron Schwalb, Nisus Corporation (Rockford, TN)
15. Nathan Frushour, Preventive Pest Control (Albuquerque, NM)
16. Charles Gates, Skyline Pest Solutions (McDonough, GA)
17. Robert Teal, Terminix (St Augustine, FL)
18. Timothy Sherrer, Expest Exterminating (Snellville, GA)
19. William Keesee, BB Pest Control (Lincoln Park, MI)
20. Tim Jackson, Ace Exterminating (Clarksville, TN)
21. Michael Spry, Precision Services Management (Valley Grove, WV)
22. Peter Schonemann, Russ Pest Control (Winterville, NC)
23. Chad Cain, Webster Exterminators (McDonough, GA)
24. David Mante, Homak Exterminating (Norcross, GA)
25. Jim Orr, Univar (Soddy Daisy, TN)

*  Mr Melville actually tested one day earlier than the rest on this list. One of the current requirements for ACE certification is that you are licensed in at least one of the 50 United States. ESA does allow non-US residents to take the exam, but they must hold a US license. Watch for future blog posts on this topic in the near future.

Additionally, we had two professionals test and pass their BCE exams in November. Congratulations to Allison Taisey of the Northeastern IPM Center (who was also one of our speakers for Under the Lens) and Kyle Jordan of BASF.

Under the Lens and ACE Prep Course a great success

Dr Mike Merchant, BCE (TAMU) and others during the Q&A session

On November 14, 2012 the Entomological Society of America (ESA) hosted a first-of-a-kind for the Society – a series of scientific presentations designed for the practicing pest management professional. Topics ranged from an Entomology 101 conversation to important changes in pyrethroid label changes to servicing multi-family low-income housing.

The post-meeting feedback was immediate and unanimous: this was a worthwhile endeavor and ESA should consider repeating this course in the coming years.  

On Thursday the 15th, many of the same attendees (and some new ones) participated in an ACE Prep Course. For 8 solid hours participants listened to the experts talk about entomological aspects of pest management and prepared to sit the following morning for the ACE exam. While we're still running numbers on the results, it seems that over 20 new ACEs will be minted as a result of this course. Watch for another post in the days to come with the names of our new ACEs.  Our congratulations to all who participated!

North Carolina offers CEUs for "Under the Lens"

The state of North Carolina will grant CEUs for PMPs to attend the Entomological Society of America's training day, "Under the Lens: The Science of Urban Pest Management".

The day will consist of 8 sessions including breakfast and lunch. Attendees should expect fast-paced education. We're going to cram two days of learning into a single day, since we know how busy most PMPs are and understand how a day away from the office is a day's lost wages.

The following day ESA is offering an ACE Prep Course for those who are seeking certification as an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). This program, which has been featured in PCT and other industry publications, is rapidly becoming the mark of a true professional in this industry.

Click here for the PDF of the registration form for Under the Lens.