The PMP RePoRTeR

A Publication of the Virginia Pest Management Association Winter 2013

In January, the U.S. En-vironmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intent to cancel the registration of certain do-it-yourself rodent control products. The affected products are sold to consumers as loose baits and don’t have protective bait stations that prevent access by children and pets.

In the works for more than a decade, the cancellation has been under extensive study and review to ensure a final action in the best interest of American public health. In short, the man-date will remove products from the market that pose unaccept-able risks to children, pets and wildlife - an effort supported by the NPMA.

“Rodents pose a signifi-cant public health risk. They carry more than 200 human pathogens and rodent droppings are proven asthma triggers in children and adults. Further, rodents are estimated to bite 50,000 people each year,” said Bob Rosenberg, executive vice

New Limitations on Rodenticides Open a Door for PMP’s

president of NPMA. “The EPA restrictions will prohibit the use of potentially dangerous loose baits and products that pose risks to wildlife when misused by people who are untrained and unlicensed to ensure their safe application, but will reserve the rights for use by professionals when needed. This important decision underscores the need for professionalism in treatment and allows the pest management industry to retain the means for providing effective, affordable services that protect consumers from rodent-borne dangers.”

Since 1998, NPMA has worked with the EPA as roden-ticide products have undergone considerable reevaluation to ensure that all registered prod-ucts meet today’s health and safety standards. This working relationship has proven benefi-cial, as it not only focuses upon protecting public health but also promoting the highest level of professionalism within the pest management industry.

While this intent to cancel consumer products by the EPA will take the products off the shelf; it also draws consumer at-tention to the fact that pesticide application by trained and certi-fied professionals is the safe route to take.

So, how can PMP’s take advantage of this opportunity to fill the gap in consumer prod-ucts available?• Target existing residential

customers with a special ro-dent control add-on service.

• Highlight your rodent pro-gram in direct mail cam-paigns.

• Provide education on rodent exclusion to your customers with hang-tags or bill stuffers that highlight ways to ex-clude rodents.

• Talk to your commercial cus-tomers about the importance of a quality, professional rodent control program.

For more information regarding the EPA and its most recent decision, visit www.epa.gov.

2 The PMP Reporter2 The PMP Reporter

The PMP ReporterThe PMP Reporter is published quarterly by VPMA to provide articles of interest to members and is not considered a publication of standards and regulations. Your opinions, comments, and advertisements are welcome. Opinions expressed by individual writers are not necessarily endorsed by VPMA. Advertising is accepted at the discretion of The PMP Reporter and does not indicate endorsement by VPMA. Send submissions, correspondence and address changes to: Andrea Coron, Executive Director Virginia Pest Management Association P.O. Box 7161 Tollfree: 877/875-8722 Fredericksburg, VA 22404 Fax: 540/374-9221 vpmaonline.com Phone: 540/374-9200 email: vpma@cox.net

Index of AdvertisersVPMA Officers and DirectorsGena Lupini, PresidentLoyal Termite & Pest Control Co., Inc.2610 East Parham Rd. 804/737-7777Richmond, VA 23228 Fax: 804/328-1591Jerry McLawhorn, Immediate Past President Superior Exterminating Co. 2336 Peters Creek Rd., NW 540/562-2201 Roanoke, VA 24017-1621 Fax: 540/562-2205

Beth Duncan, Vice PresidentExterminating Unlimited, Inc.P.O. Box 1565 804/550-5657Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Fax: 804/550-0586Nick Lupini, SecretaryLoyal Termite & Pest Control Co., Inc.2610 East Parham Rd. 804/737-7777Richmond, VA 23228 Fax: 804/328-1591

Jack Broome, TreasurerPermaTreat Pest Control509-A Lafayette Blvd. 540/368-0024Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Fax: 540/368-0026

Jason Leonard, Allied DirectorForshaw Distribution, Inc.2251-A Dabney Rd. 804/355-1900Richmond, VA 23230 Fax: 804/355-3982Don Lenegar, National RepresentativeABC Termite & Pest Control, Inc. 117 First Colonial Rd. 757/422-0409 Virginia Beach, VA 23454 Fax: 757/422-2124Nick Castaldo, CVPMA LiaisonPermaTreat Pest Control11475 Fox Cross Rd. 804/798-9671Ashland, VA 23005 Fax: 804/798-9681Charlie Church, DirectorGetem Termite & Pest ControlP.O. Box 6066 757/489-8610 Norfolk, VA 23508 Fax:757/489-8612

Kristi Crutchfield, SVPMA LiaisonSuperior Exterminating Co. Inc. 2336 Peters Creek Rd., NW 540/562-2201 Roanoke, VA 24017 Fax: 540/562-2205Rhonda Elmore, DirectorCommonwealth Exterminators, Inc. P.O. Box 12 434/848-9800Lawrenceville, VA 23868 Fax: 434/848-8388Hilary Buzz Jones, Director Maximum Environmental ServicesPO Box 7622 757/622-0005 Norfolk, VA 23509 Fax: 757/622-0040

Tom Mares, DirectorMares Exterminating Co.891 Yorktown Rd. 757/868-4898Poquoson, VA 23662 Fax:757/868-4899

Keith McCormick, DirectorA-Active Termite & Pest Control Co.2500 Encounter Court 757/425-0855Virginia Beach, VA 23453 Fax:757/340-0478

Ray Mitchell, NOVA PCA LiaisonBarrier Termite & Pest TechnologiesP.O. Box 1124 703/444-0496Sterling, VA 20167 Fax: 703/444-3919

Jim Murphy, TPCA LiaisonGetem Termite & Pest Control P.O. Box 6066 757/489-8610 Norfolk, VA 23508-0066 Fax: 757/489-8612

Neal Straker, Director ProTech Pest Control of Virginia 703/440-8000 7426 Alban Station Blvd., #B216 703/440-8253 Springfield, VA 22406

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Hot Topic NPMA Legislative Day

Mark your calendar and make plans to join NPMA and your VPMA Board members on March 17-19 for Legislative Day 2013, a once-a-year event designed to increase the awareness of the key legislative and regula-tory issues impacting the pest management indus-try. Register by going to NPMPPestWorld.org.

All Virginia PMPs who attend NPMA’s Legislative Day are invited to join VPMA Board members for dinner on Mon-day evening, March 18th. After the NPMA Legislative Day Reception, the Virginia delegation will walk over to The Dubliner Irish Pub for a post-patty-day party! Get your tickets by calling VPMA at 877/875-8722.

Winter 2013 3

President’s Message: by Gena Lupini

Hello, all and happy swarm season! I hope this quarter finds you all well! I want to encour-age you to take advantage of the various educational pro-grams and meetings held by the VPMA, the NPMA and each lo-cal association and remind you that these are part of the benefits of your association member-ships.

The primary function of an industry’s association is to support the members within the industry by providing a forum for interested parties to come together to share ideas, level the playing field through education, provide camaraderie, and by far, to protect the interests of the industry.

Try to imagine where our industry would be with no local, state or national associations. Our ability to operate successful businesses and to fulfill our mis-sion to protect people, property and the environment would be greatly compromised. Our local, state and national associa-tions go above and beyond to provide top-notched educational seminars and meetings held around the country, throughout our state and locally to address our individual communities.

The VPMA Spring Edu-cation Line Up is now sched-uled! In this issue of the PMP Reporter you will find short articles about each of the main education programs coming up and why they are important to

technicians and the companies they work for. For a most rea-sonable member rate, the pro-grams are well worth the time and money spent. Please sign up your company's representa-tives for the appropriate train-ing classes offered by using the registration form on page 20 of this newsletter!

Coming up on March 13 and 14 at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia is the VPMA Master Technician Series for Cockroaches and Pest Flies; read the article on page 4 to learn more about this program. VPMA's WDI In-spector Workshop, instructed by Dr. George Rambo, will be presented in Richmond on April 17th; read about this voluntary certification program on page 6. Finally, the VPMA Jeffrey M. Johnson Memorial ACE Prep Course & Exam will be offered on May 14th and 15th respec-tively. This course takes some intensive, self-study before hand and also has some registration requirements, so please make sure to read the article on page 8 to learn how you can earn this certification.

Being the busy time of year, many pest management companies are hiring new technicians. To help our mem-bers, VDACS has submitted an article on "Tips to Seamless Ap-plications and Renewals" (see page 12).

Another important event

coming up very soon is NPMA’s Legislative Day being held March 17 – 19 in Washington DC. PMPs from across the na-tion attend this meeting to show our legislators our enthusiasm and support of our industry. Nearly 400 PMPs attend this event annually and descend on Capitol Hill to tell their legisla-tors what issues are important to our industry and businesses. Virginia is in such close proxim-ity to our Nation's Capitol that VPMA should have the largest delegation of any other state! If you haven’t attended in the past, please consider attending Legislative Day this year.

During NPMA’s Legisla-tive Day, VPMA holds a dinner for all VPMA members in atten-dance. In a casual atmosphere, we share each other's company with old and new friends alike. It is quite a memorable experi-ence and we hope you'll take advantage of it and join us this year at Legislative Day. Please read more about this event on page 2 under Hot Topic.

As you will see, one of VP-MA's primary goals is to raise professionalism in our industry and one of the best ways to do that is through training, educa-tion and participation in Asso-ciation events. I'll hope to see you at an upcomming VPMA event soon!

Gena Lupini

4 The PMP Reporter

The VPMA Master Technician Workshop is

one of the oldest educa-tional programs in the

VPMA Education Line Up. Originally based at Virginia Tech, the program went dormant in the early 1990s.

Virginia PMPs had to go without this jewel of a train-ing program for more than 10 years, before the inspiration of a few men changed everything. Dr. Eric Smith, Dick Whitman, BCE and Jerry McLawhorn not only wanted to restart the Master Technician program, they also wanted to revitalize it by making it mobile! They envisioned purchasing state-of-the-art microscopes that could be transported to various work-shop sites around the Common-wealth.

They also wanted to give more meat to the program by creating a Master Technician designation that PMPs could earn after attending four of pest group workshops featured in the series.

The VPMA Educa-tion Committee, led by Jerry McLawhorn, worked tirelessly for almost two years raising funds and researching which microscopes would best meet the training needs. The original co-trainers for the pro-gram, Dr. Eric Smith and Dick Whitman, BCE were also instru-mental in selecting the micro-

scopes, securing spec-imen collections and developing the curriculum for the original pest groups. The high-level of learning about the biology and habits of each pest group, as well as the scientific methodology employed in using the microscopes and taxonomic keys give participants a unique learning opportunity. Partici-pants truly feel like they get to play scientists for the day!

Since it’s roll out in 2005, the Master Tech program that originally featured five pest groups; Pest Ants, Cockroaches, Termites, Rodents and Occa-sional Invaders, has expanded to seven pest groups with the addi-tion of Bed Bugs and Pest Flies.

After years of dedicated service, the dynamic team of Smith & Whitman stepped down as instructors, and VPMA gained the knowledge and charisma of Dr. Dini Miller, her lab manager, Tim McCoy and Virginia Tech graduate students

in 2009.So many technicians

take great pride in their profes-sion and have built solid careers in this industry. VPMA wanted to create the Master Technician designation as a way for PMPs to document their knowledge, training and experience as PMPs. This training was de-signed for technicians with at least two years of experience in

pest management. Over the last eight years,

more than 400 technicians PMPs have attended at least one of the pest group offerings, and many technicians are so very close to attaining their overall Master Techni-cian designation.

Currently, there is a prestigious group of 64 Master Technicians in Virginia. Many Master Technicians don’t stop at the minimum requirement of 4 pest groups either, but pride themselves on receiving train-ing in each and every pest group offered in the Master Technician series.

Does your company em-ploy a technician or technicians who deserve to have their years of service and dedication recog-nized through this designation? Do you have technicians who have been to one, two or three pest groups, but need to fin-ish off their Master Technician designation?

The VPMA Master Tech-nician Series will be offered twice in 2013 featuring 4 differ-ent pest groups. In March, the program will return to Virginia Tech and will feature Cock-roaches on March 13th and Pest Flies on March 14th. In the Fall, the program will feature Oc-casional Invaders and Rodents and will be presented in the North-ern Virginia area.

March: Master Technician Series at Virginia Tech

Winter 2013 5

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6 The PMP Reporter

The VPMA Certified WDI Inspector program was first rolled out in 2000, and the inaugural class consisted of nearly 100 PMPs! It took nearly three years to create the curriculum, manual and market-ing plan to launch this program and couldn’t have been ac-complished without the diligent work of the VPMA WDI Com-mittee and Dr. George Rambo.

The impetus for the pro-gram stemmed from legislation that had been proposed by a House Representative of the Virginia Assembly in the late 1990s that would have required WDI Inspections to be regulated by the Department of Profes-sional and Occupational Regula-tion (DPOR). If that legislation had been submitted and ap-proved, WDI Inspectors would have been regulated by both the VDACS’ Office of Pesticide Services (OPS) and DPOR. VPMA felt that with proper training, PMPs could avoid ad-ditional regulation. The training would mean more consistent, accurate WDI Inspections within our industry. Tying the training to a voluntary certifi-cation meant that PMPs could distinguish themselves from untrained individuals working within, or outside of our indus-try. This also gave home buyers, Realtors and mortgage compa-nies a way of selecting a trained professional. VPMA pitched this idea of self-regulation to the

Representative, who felt that the VPMA Certified WDI Inspec-tor program would aptly raise the professional level of WDI Inspections and give consumers some degree of safeguard when it came to selecting a PMP to perform a WDI Inspection. The Representative approved of the VPMA proposal and the legisla-tion was never submitted.

Since the inception of the program, nearly 1100 PMPs have earned their VPMA WDI Inspector certification. The number of grievances regarding WDI Inspections received by VPMA has been significantly reduced, where VPMA may have received 2-3 complaints a month, we now receive less than 2-3 per year. The program has been successful in accomplish-ing its original goal.

Now, 13 years later VPMA is beginning to take a new look at the WDI program. Two co-chairman have been appointed to lead the WDI Committee to ensure that the program is op-erating at its full potential. Last year, the previous WDI Com-mittee realized its goal of creat-ing an online Recertification element for the WDI Program that has already recertified more than 200 current VPMA WDI Inspectors.

This year, new outreach efforts to the Real Estate com-munity are planned, as well as marketing efforts to promote the voluntary WDI Certification to

homeowners who need to know how to find trained, profes-sional PMPs to conduct their WDI Inspections. Some of this work will involve new efforts, however much of this work has already been done in the past and just needs to be revitalized. Many marketing materials, such as uniform patches, press release templates, and bro-chures already exist. VPMA is dedicated to helping PMPs and member companies find ways to effectively promote their Certi-fied WDI Inspectors.

If technicians from your company have not yet attained this voluntary certification, there is no time like the pres-ent! VPMA is offering a VPMA Certified WDI Inspector work-shop on April 17th at the Vir-ginia Tech Center in Richmond, VA (see VPMAonline.com for details). A self-study component is involved in this training, so early registration is suggested. The training agenda includes the following:

• A brief overview of wood-destroying insects – (self-study of the full review of WDI pest groups is required prior to the workshop).

• Step-by-Step Inspection Instructions on Completing the WDIR, NPMA-33, including discussion of “gray areas”.

• How to Prepare the Graph.

• Construction Techniques

April: VPMA Certified WDI Workshop in Richmond

please see WDI, p. 8

Winter 2013 7

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8 The PMP Reporter

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At the conclusion of the workshop, participants who are qualified to earn their VPMA WDI Certification take an exam. Those who pass the exam with a minimum score of 75% earn their VPMA WDI Certification. PMPs must hold a minimum of category 60 (registered techni-cian) license and be employed by a pest management company that has a pesticide business license in order to be eligible

for certification. If a PMP is in the process of earning their registered technician license, they can still take the VPMA Certified WDI workshop and the exam; their certification will just be withheld until their license has been issued by OPS.

VPMA WDI Certification is effective for two years. To maintain their VPMA WDI Cer-tification technicians must take the online VPMA WDI Recer-tification course by June 30th of the year their certification is due to expire. The online program takes approximately 2 hours to complete. An exam is required, but a passing grade is not re-quired to earn recertification. The exam questions are a means for a technician to gauge what

areas they may need additional review, as well as an instrument the WDI Committee uses to evaluate the effectiveness of the training. If you currently hold your VPMA WDI Certification and need to become recertified, go to VPMAWDIRecert.com for instructions on how to access the program. Keep in mind that this training has been approved by VDACS for 7-B and catego-ry 60 recertification credits.

The past success of this program is indisputable. The successful continuation of this program is what will ensure that consistent, accurate WDI Inspections can be counted on in Virginia, if consumers hire VPMA Certified WDI Inspec-tors!

continued from page 6

WDI

Winter 2013 9

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10 The PMP Reporter

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Among the newest edu-cational program in the VPMA line up is the Jeffrey M. Johnson Memorial ACE Prep Course & Exam. The Entomological Soci-ety of America offers this certi-fication option geared specifical-ly toward the pest management industry. Launched in May of 2004, the ACE program is rapidly becoming the industry-standard for professionalism and training. In today’s increasingly complex and highly-specialized economy, credentials are so im-portant. Sure, you know you’ve got the skills to do the job, but

how do you convince potential customers and employers you’re the best one for the job? For many career-minded pest man-agement professionals, certifica-tion is often the answer.

The VPMA Board renamed the ACE prep course in 2012 in honor of Jeff Johnson as a living memorial to his commitment to education. When Jeff took office as president in October of 2010 he made it his goal to double the number of PMPs holding their ACE Certifica-tion through the ESA. Jeff met that goal within his first year of

presidency. Where previously there were only a handful of ACEs in Virginia, after the first two prep courses VPMA helped 15 individuals earn their ACE certification!

VPMA is offering a Jef-frey M. Johnson Memorial ACE Prep Course & Exam on May 14th and 15th, respectively. Are you ready to earn this presti-gious certification? Are you ready to put ACE behind your name?

First, let’s see if you meet the requirements.

• Do you hold a current pes-ticide applicators license,

May: Jeffrey M. Johnson Memorial ACE Prep Course & Exam

Winter 2013 11

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• Are you willing to adhere to the ACE Code of Eth-ics?

If so, there is no time like the present to begin the process to become an ACE.

The next step is to com-plete the ESA ACE application process as outlined at http://www.entocert.org/ace-appli-cation-process. This includes completing an application and sending a CV or resume, sign-ing the Code of Ethics, select-ing VPMA as your proctor, and paying the fee ($125 - $150) to ESA. This must be done no

later than April 12, 2013 if you are planning on taking VPMA proctored ACE exam on May 15th.

You will also need to regis-ter with VPMA to take the Prep Course and Exam by May 7th. You can find a brochure at VPMAonline.com under the Events tab, or call us at 877/875-8722.

The last step is to hit the books! This ACE Prep Course is designed to act as a review in preparation to take the ACE Exam. It does not replace extensive self-study prior to the course.

You can find a multitude of study resources, practice exams and other information at the ESA website (http://www.entocert.org/studying-ace-exams).

If you are ready to become an ACE, but aren’t sure how to go about it, just call us and we’ll put you on the right path. Several VPMA members who have earned their ACE certification are more than willing to talk with you about their preparation, experiences and feeling of satisfaction once they met their goal of becoming an ACE!

“This certification closes more sales for me than anything I have ever done. When I tell a potential customer that I am an Associate Certified Entomologist, it seals the deal.” Dean Gary, ACE (quote pulled from ESA’s website)

12 The PMP Reporter

Avoiding Delays: Tips to Seam-less Applications and Renewals

By Vickie Rengers, Program Supervisor, and Micah Raub, Program Coordinator, Office of Pesticide Services, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Some might call it the black hole; others, government bureaucracy. You’ve filled out an application either for a pesticide business license or certification and submitted it to VDACS for approval. After waiting what seems to be an eternity, you begin to wonder why in the world it is taking so long to hear back from VDACS.

Understandably, waiting to get back a pesticide business license or applicator certifica-tion can be cause for anxiety and frustration. Staff members in the Office of Pesticide Ser-vices (OPS) make every effort to process applications for busi-ness licenses and certifications in a timely manner.

During renewal season, however, the processing time may be a little longer than at other times of the year. This is attributed not only to the sheer volume of applications received in our office, but because busi-nesses or applicators have neglected to submit a complete application packet. In these cases, staff members are tasked to follow-up with those busi-nesses and gather the missing information, documents or payments before completing the process, each of which adds to the processing time.

If you are preparing to

submit an application for a busi-ness license or applicator certi-fication, there are some things you can do to prevent delays especially during the renewal season.

Expired Business Insurance-An expired certificate of

insurance is one of the most common items that prevent staff from completing the renewal of an expired pesticide business license. One of the require-ments for obtaining a pesticide business license is “evidence of financial responsibility” in the form of a liability insurance policy. The liability insurance provides protection to persons who suffer legal damages as a result of the use of a pesticide by a business. A pesticide busi-ness license cannot be issued by staff of the OPS Services until such responsibility has been met. While you know you have insurance, OPS needs to have a current certificate from your insurance agent each year.

Certified Commercial Appli-cator

Businesses are also re-quired to designate a certified commercial applicator who is responsible for the safety of pesticide applications, recom-mendations or sales. Occasion-ally the person who has been

listed as a business’s designated certified commercial applicator will either leave the business or let their certification lapse. It is important for a business to notify OPS when applicators resign or are terminated. If the person was the designated certi-fied applicator, they need to be replaced with a new one. Appli-cators also need to pay attention to their recertification status and make sure they maintain active certification. A pesticide busi-ness license (new or renewal) cannot be issued without a Cer-tified Commercial Applicator.

Missing Signature, Missing Application, No payment/In-sufficient Funds

Sometimes, in the rush of returning a pesticide business license renewal or certifica-tion application, the sender will leave out some important docu-ments or information. Be sure to review the renewal applica-tion and make any necessary corrections on the application form. Also, make sure your ad-dress is correct, the designated certified commercial applica-tor is still employed with your company and the appropriate person signs the application. Unsigned applications are set aside as incomplete. Staff will contact the applicant and request please see Timely Applications, p. 14

Winter 2013 13

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14 The PMP Reporter

continued from page 12

Timely Applications

www.residex.com

Vienna, VA 800.247.8528

Richmond, VA 800.782.8629

VA Beach, VA 800.542.4384

a signed copy. In most cases this will mean resending a copy of the application either by fax or mail. Applicants may also forget to properly stuff the enve-lope in which they submit their renewal paperwork and leave the application laying on a desk. “Was that a copy or the original sitting there?” they may wonder as they set it aside. Worse yet, they may check the application thoroughly, sign it, stuff it in an envelope and send it off forget-ting one other piece of paper needs to be included; the check! Before sealing the envelope for

a pesticide business renewal or any other type of application, check to make sure the paper-work is completed properly, all necessary signatures are present and the appropriate payment is included. Remember to also include any applicable late fees or penalties if a renewal ap-plication is submitted after the deadline listed. What happens when some-thing is missing?

All applications go into queues and are processed in the order in which they are received. If your application

is incomplete, staff has to stop processing to call, email and/or write you a letter requesting the missing information. This can slow down the already slower than normal processing time for everyone.

Please follow these helpful tips to ensure your paperwork is complete prior to mailing to VDACS OPS. Thank you for your continued compliance with the Virginia Pesticide Con-trol Act. If you have any ques-tions, you can check the website at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pesti-cides or call (804) 786-3798.

Winter 2013 15

16 The PMP Reporter

When Joe Lupini was released from duty as a United States Marine in 1958 he, like others returning home after the Korean War, wondered what to do next with his life. His high school baseball coach suggested he try to become a professional baseball umpire. Soon, Joe was off to the Al Summers Umpire School in Daytona Beach, Fla. Out of 60 in his class only 20 were given jobs as minor league umpires; Joe was one of those.

Joe’s total time as an umpire was 3.5 years. He soon realized that in order to become a ma-jor league umpire, the ultimate goal, he would have to spend a minimum of 10 to 11 years in the minors before having a chance to go up. Joe became anxious to move on and build a life that was more stable and secure; where he could start a family.

Although Joe spent only a short period of time as an um-pire, he had some very memo-rable experiences. During his first season, as Joe tells it, “I had the pleasure of throwing out of a game a young Pete Rose. I called him out on strikes and he com-menced to throw his hat down on home plate and started dancing and hopping around like a bunny rabbit; stomping and kicking

dirt all over the home plate area.” I looked at him and said, “You know what happens next, don’t you?”, and Pete says, “I guess I’m going to the showers? Huh?” Joe said, “Yah, and the sooner the better!” with a stern point to the dugout.

Joe once kicked out of a game Hall of Fame Manager, Earl Weaver; but so did every other umpire that worked an Earl Weaver coached game. An interesting inside baseball fact Joe shared with me is that some of the manager/umpire argu-ments you see are strictly for the entertainment of the fans. Joe said, during an argument; “The conversation may switch to where is a good place in town to get a steak, or how was your family vacation at the beach?” Baseball fans love to see the or-chestration of a good argument and no one was better at it than Earl Weaver!

Another memorable story is actually documented in the annals of baseball history. Joe was umpiring a game where Cal Ripken, Sr. was the catcher in front of him. The pitcher was Steve Dalkowski, known as the fastest pitcher to ever throw a baseball. It is rumored, there was no radar gun at the time,

that Dalkowski could throw a pitch 125 mph; an astonishing fastball by today’s standards. Joe said, “Dalkowski had a cou-ple of career no hitters but lost the games.” Why? “He couldn’t hit the broad-side of a barn”, Joe said. “He either got you out or he walked you.” Well, Cal Sr. called for an outside pitch. Joe was positioned for the pitch to come outside. The pitch came inside. It hit Joe dead square in the center of his mask, so hard, it busted the mask and knocked him out COLD! He spent the night in the hospital, but was back at work on the field the next day.

Fast forward 50 years. Nick Lupini, Joe’s son, was reading a magazine article about “speed in sports” and the au-thor was writing about a docu-mented incident in minor league baseball where an umpire was hit in his mask by a pitch from Steve Dalkowski, so hard, that it knocked him out COLD. The only known such knock-out in baseball history. Nick got in touch with the author of the article and explained that it was his dad, Joe Lupini that was behind the mask that day. The author verified Joe’s story, and the rest is history.

Editor’s note: VPMA has stumbled upon a fun article detailing the life Joe Lupini, Loyal Termite & Pest Control, lead before his life in pest control. We’d love to start a new feature column highlighting our members’ interesting and intriguing lives. Let’s get to know each other a little better by learning about the hobbies, jobs, and passions each of us have that make us unique. Please contact VPMA to submit your own personal story.

PMP’s Passions & Pursuits:Umpire Joe Lupini, Loyal Termite & Pest Control

By Glen Eastman, Marketing Director, Loyal Termite & Pest Control

Winter 2013 17

18 The PMP Reporter

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Robert Mathews Jackson Robert Mathews Jackson, 79, of Colonial

Heights passed away suddenly January 23, 2013. He was the sole remaining child of the late Clyde William and Effie Mae Koonce Jackson. Robert was a U.S. Army veteran, a 50+ year member of the Masonic Fraternity, an American Legionnaire (Post 284) and owner of Mutual Termite Control. Robert is preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Jackson.

He is survived by his daughters, Tricia Cox (husband Steve) and Tammy Williams (husband Donny); his son-in-law, Warren "Benny" Edwards, his grandchildren, Amber Jackson, Josh Cox, Dana Field (husband Nate) and Tara Shepperson; his great-grandson, Noah Field; and his dear friend, Betty Hobbs. Robert was a warm, kind-hearted man who made and kept friendships easily. He genuinely enjoyed life and adored his family. He was loved and will be missed by many.

His life was celebrated with a memorial service at the Highland United Methodist Church on January 29th.

Robert L. Connor, Sr.Robert Louis Connor, 90, of Lake of the

Woods and Northern Virginia passed away Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. He was the widower of Florence Connor. He was the loving father of Robert Jr. (Jane) and Edward (Nancy) Con-nor; and brother of Earl (Peggy) Connor. He is also survived by six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Robert was a life member of the National Pest Management Association, Virginia Pest Management Association (VPMA), the Lions Club, the Masons and the American Legion. Rob-ert also served as president of the VPMA from 1972-1974, and again in 1981.

Services were held at Fairfax Baptist Temple in Fairfax Station on January 23rd, followed by interment at the Mount Comfort Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

In Memorial:

Winter 2013 19

“ We were looking for a company that provides exemplary customer service and was passionate about how customers and employees are treated. We found that in Arrow Exterminators and are proud to be part of the family.”

— Mike Riggins, Owner, Terminator Pest Control

“Arrow was a perfect match to the way I ran my company. I always believed in promoting a family culture in the business.” — Randy Nader,

Nader’s Pest Raiders

NOT EVEN CLOSE! Veterans of over 100 acquisitions, Arrow believes in going Beyond the Call to respect the culture, team and hard-earned customers of each company.

Family owned and operated since 1964, Arrow is the 8th largest pest control company in the U.S. and has maintained our founding philosophy of treating employees like family and providing the necessary resources for career development and continuous training at all levels.

Call today for your confidential interview.

Kevin Burns | 800.281.8978kburns@arrowexterminators.com

20 The PMP Reporter

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