Complete Story
03/28/2026
President's Message from Brett Lieberman
As we enter the busy spring season, I want to highlight some of our recent successes and focus your attention on several upcoming opportunities that are vital to your business and our industry’s future.
Maryland PMPS Voices Have Impact: NPMA Legislative Day
We are fortunate to have NPMA’s Legislative Day right in our backyard in Washington, D.C. This annual event, held on March 15-17 this year, is your best opportunity to learn about pending legislation that could directly affect your operations - and make your voice heard. It is our chance to meet with members of Congress to share the real-world impact of the pest management industry and remind them that we stand ready to serve as a resource whenever a bill pertaining to our industry comes up. We also enjoy a joint dinner with the Virginia Pest Management Association during this event —it’s a great way to network with our neighbors while we advocate for our profession. A big thank you to the Maryland members who represented our industry well during this event and on Capitol Hill. Be sure to put this event on your 2027 calendar for March 14 – 16!
Call Out for MSPCA SPAR – Charlie Barton, ACE
I want to take a beat to recognize Charlie Barton for serving all of Maryland as the MSPCA State Policy Affairs Representative (SPAR). This volunteer role consumes a great deal of time during the fast-paced General Assembly period between January through April. I can not tell you how much I appreciate Charlie’s special brand of dedication. His vigilance and quick reaction to issues that could significantly impact our ability to do business often goes unrecognized, so I want to be sure he is recognized here. Please read the article in this newsletter on Charlie’s Outstanding Service as SPAR and be sure to thank him personally if you have the opportunity to do so.
Membership Renewals
As a trade association, MSPCA values our members. We work to bring meaningful benefits to our members and to raise the professionalism and voice of the industry. If you are a member of MPSCA, we thank you for your engagement. New this year, membership renewal emails will be handled by NPMA. The first round of invoices been sent by NPMA for joint members to the main contact of each member company. Invoices for special category members, Allied and PMP offices whose corporate offices are outside of Maryland, will be coming from MSPCA in early May. We hope you will renew your membership for the upcoming membership year that runs from July 1st through June 30th no later than June 30th. Joint members can renew online here.
If you are not a member yet, we invite you to join-this is a great time to become a joint member of NPMA & MSPCA as you’ll get 14 months of membership for the price of 12! Follow this link to join today!
Call for Applications: The MSPCA Fred Neil Scholarship
I hope all of our members are aware of the MSPCA Scholarship program that awards $1,000 scholarships to up to two students each year. Applicants can be an employee of a member pest control company or the child of a person who has worked full time for a member. Some other eligibility requirements must be met, but if you know someone who fits the bill, encourage them to apply for a scholarship by June 16th.
Learn all about the Fred Neil Scholarship Program here!
Last Chance for Credits: May 28
If you or your team still need CEU credits before the June 30 deadline, don’t panic. We are hosting the "Last Chance Recertification Webinar" on May 28. This is a convenient way to ensure everyone is compliant and ready for the peak season. Mark your calendars now or click here to register!
MSPCA WDI-O Certification
Are you equipped to perform wood destroying insect inspections and fully understand what is needed to complete the MD-1 and NPMA-33 forms? Increase your knowledge and earn your professional MSPCA WDI-O credentials at VPMA Certified WDI Inspector virtual training on June 10th or in-person this Fall in Richmond, VA on October 6th. By the way, VPMA extends member pricing to all MSPCA members, so be sure to email them at office@vpmaonline.com for a discount code. After attending the VPMA training, a supplemental package of material and a MD specific exam is provided to individuals seeking MSPCA WDI-O Credentialing. In addition to carrying the mandatory certification in category 7b through MDA, this training provides comprehensive training on inspection, safety, tools, insect biology and ID and reporting.
Get more information about earning your MSPCA WDI-O Credentials here!
MSPCA IPMC
Thank you to the more than 700 attendees, including technicians, managers, and office administrators, who braved the snow and cold to attend the 2026 Interstate Pest Management Conference. While we know the snow made getting there (and parking) a challenge, the feedback about the sessions - from technical pest and turf management to high-level sales strategies - was extremely positive.
A particular highlight was the keynote by NPMA’s Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., BCE who reminded us all of the essential role our industry plays in protecting public health and safety. It was a powerful reminder that what we do goes far beyond "pest control"; we are guardians of our communities.
While things can really heat up for our businesses during this time of year, remember to look around at the impact our industry has on the communities we serve. As we close April as Pest Management Month, I hope each of you realize how much your work matters. Every day, you play a vital role in protecting public health, preserving property, and keeping communities safe. Your expertise often goes unseen, but its impact is undeniable. Thank you for being a part of this amazing industry!
Unlocking Value with Savings4Members
I also want to emphasize one of our most practical member benefits: Savings4Members. From fuel and payroll to shipping and office supplies, this program is designed to put money back in your pocket. If you haven’t explored these discounts lately, you are likely leaving money on the table.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the MSPCA. Let’s make this spring our most professional and impactful yet.
Best regards,
Brett Lieberman
