NPMA is committed to encouraging its membership to embrace diversity and inclusion as an integral part in nurturing winning workplace cultures throughout our industry.
IDE Task Force
Established in September 2021, the NPMA Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) Task Force was responsible for assessing the structural pest control industry’s IDE needs and working toward implementing solutions that improve the inclusivity of the pest control industry to reflect the diverse communities in which they serve. In addition, the task force enhanced the industry’s ability to attract diverse prospective professionals in the highly competitive and diverse labor market.
Role:
The Task Force provided guidance to the NPMA Board of Directors on the work of inclusion, diversity, and equity at NPMA through assessing the pest control industry’s IDE needs and developing solutions that would culminate into an IDE Action Plan.
Key Findings:
NPMA is Strong
NPMA is early in its journey on The Path to Inclusion
There is ample room and a need to expand the leadership and membership of BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+ and other groups
Women members and owners face challenges in changing traditional gender expectations
Recruitment and retention of employees who represent additional aspects of diversity is both necessary and challenging
NPMA’s Culture Journey
We will continue to be an organization that is working toward implementing solutions that improve the inclusivity of the pest control industry to reflect the diverse communities in which they serve.
NPMA ASPIRES TO BE AN ASSOCIATION….
1
committed to valuing and establishing a board and leadership that fully reflects the diversity of the structural pest management industry.
2
that adopts practices that promote NPMA’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy to foster a sense of belonging throughout all levels of the organization, including boards, committees, and councils.
3
where meetings and events are intentionally inclusive and include topics, speakers and activities that reflect the diversity of the membership and attendees.
4
that allocates funding and resources to support outreach, sponsorships, and education while building relationships with programs and organizations to attract & serve a more diverse membership, leadership and staff.
5
who will support State and Local associations in their IDE efforts, in an effort to be welcoming and actively encourage inclusive attendance, participation, and leadership (board, committees, etc.).
6
that provides clear pathways, mentorship, and leadership development programs for BIPOC, women and LGBTQ+ and under-represented groups to build a more diverse leadership pipeline.
7
where each committee has inclusion, diversity, and equity as part of their fabric and ways of operating.
Key Focus Areas and Priority Actions:
Establishing an Inclusive & Diverse Leadership (board and committees)
Establish an IDE Plan & Fundraising Strategy
Inclusive Recruitment & Retention
Diversity & Inclusion at Events
IDE Task Force Members
Task Force Co-Chairs:
Erin Richardson, All-American Pest Control, Inc., Nashville, TN
Joel Nolasco, NuBorn Pest Control, Mamaroneck, NY
Members:
Anthony Brown, Rentokil North America, Wyomissing, PA*
Courtney Carace, Pest-End, Inc. Plaistow, NH
Sara Cromwell, Abell Pest Control, Etobicoke, ON, Canada
Cleveland Dixon Jr., Holiday Termite & Pest Control, Herndon, VA
Samantha Forrest, Corteva AgriScience, Indianapolis, IN
Mark DeGeare, Forshaw, Charlotte, NC*
Emily Hartsell, ABC Home & Commercial Services of Austin, Austin, TX
Dennis Jenkins, ABC Home & Commercial Services of DFW, Lewisville, TX
Marcus Johnson, Target Specialty Products, Winter Garden, FL*
Julie Marquardt, Ecolab, Inc., St. Paul, MN*
Billy Olesen ACE, Peststop, Tumwater, WA
Jason Payne, Payne Pest Management, Inc., San Diego, CA
Luke Rambo, Rambo Total Pest Control, Puyallup, WA
Leila Starwich, Sprague Pest Solutions, Denver, CO
James Steed, Neighborly Pest Management, Inc., Roserville, CA
Ruby Swann, Rollins, Inc., Atlanta, GA*
Nate Tamialis, Veseris USA, Commerce, CA
Ka Tsu, ServicePro.Net, Inc., Columbus, OH
Christina Valdivia, Wildlife Management Services, Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN
Adam Witt, Witt Pest Management, Pittsburgh, PA
*Task Force Sponsor
Sponsoring companies:
Cook’s Pest Control
Ecolab
Forshaw
Rentokil
Rollins
Target Specialty Products
Terminix
Additional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources: