04/19/2025

Building Recognition and Connection: April PestVets Committee Update

PestVets

PestVets Committee

April 16, 2025

Virtual

Quick recap

The meeting covered various topics related to veterans in pest control, including the Skill Bridge program, recognition initiatives, and upcoming events. Discussions focused on creating a newsletter feature to highlight veteran employees, establishing criteria for the WSPMA PestVet of the Year Award, and improving the nomination process for awards. The group also planned future activities, such as organizing care packages and creating promotional videos, while addressing communication improvements for future meetings.

Next steps

• Samantha to create nomination form for WSPMA Pestvet of the Year award.
• Samantha to include Pestvet of the Year award information in the May newsletter.
• All attendees to submit short 15-20 second videos about the Pestvets award to Billy. Billy to compile submitted videos into a 30-45 second promotional video.
• Brian and Luke to review nominations and select winner for Pestvet of the Year award.
• Samantha to gather information on care package logistics. Samantha to contact Viserys for shipping donations for care packages.
• Brian to research clay shoot options near Leavenworth for 2026 event.
• Samantha to contact insurance people and AZPPO regarding clay shoot logistics.
• Samantha to send calendar invites for future Pestvets meetings to all members on the list.
• Brian to provide meeting agenda to Samantha two weeks before each meeting.
• All attendees to submit information about veteran employees for recognition in November.

Summary

Skill Bridge Program Changes Discussed

Luke expressed his appreciation for the meeting and suggested that the group should list their companies on the National PestVets page. Luke then discussed the changes to the SkillBridge program through NPMA, requiring each member company to have a little more individual say. Samantha offered to include a link to the SkillBridge program in a follow-up email.

Skill Bridge Interns' Career Transition

Luke discussed his experience with a highly accomplished Skill Bridge intern who had a challenging transition from the Air Force to a new career. Despite the intern not becoming a long-term employee, Luke emphasized the benefits of the program, including valuable perspectives on training and SOPs. Randy inquired about the intern's current position, and Luke revealed that he had secured a private contractor role utilizing his security clearance.

Veteran Recognition in Pest Control Newsletter

Billy shared his team's experience with hiring an Army veteran who excelled as a technician, and Samantha mentioned that another veteran, John, had also completed his first year with the company. The group discusses creating a newsletter feature to recognize veterans working in pest control companies. They agree to have companies submit information about their veteran employees, including hire date, military branch, and the owner's perspective on their impact. This will be done annually around Veterans Day in November.

Awards Nomination Process Discussion

The group reviewed the criteria for the WSPMA PestVet of the Year Award, which recognizes veterans who have made outstanding contributions to the pest management industry and their community. Samantha discussed the nomination process for awards, including the criteria and the form to be filled out. Brian suggested focusing on the reasons for nomination rather than the duration of the nominee's career. Luke and Billy agreed that the questions should be optional and suggested focusing on the nominee's impact and support for their team, customers, or industry.

Award Nomination Process and Video Creation

In the meeting, Samantha discussed the creation of a nomination form for an award, aiming to have it ready by May. She also proposed the idea of creating a video to accompany the award, with Billy offering to create a 15 to 20-second video. Samantha also mentioned the possibility of adding still pictures to the video. The team also discussed the possibility of having a professional video in the future. The nomination process was set to open on May 1st and close on June 30th, with the winners to be notified by the first two weeks of July. The team also discussed the possibility of asking the chair of the National PestVets Committee to sit in on a call to discuss the nominations.

PestVets Meeting Plans and Improvements

The group discusses plans for upcoming events and initiatives. They decide to organize care packages instead of a coat drive, with Samantha offering to gather information from a previous organizer. Brian will look into the logistics of a clay shoot for 2026. Samantha proposes improvements to meeting communications, including sending calendar invites and requesting agendas two weeks in advance. The group also plans to create promotional videos for the PestVets award and highlight veteran employees.

Next Meeting

The next PestVets meeting is scheduled for June 18th.