05/09/2023

NCPMA Launches NC PestVets Chapter

The North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) has launched NC PestVets, a chapter of the National Pest Management Association’s PestVets. The chapter will focus on reaching out to and supporting veterans in North Carolina’s pest management industry and educating veterans and military personnel about career opportunities in pest management.

PestVets was created in 2015 to engage veterans in their successful transition to a career in the pest management industry and to promote the recruitment of veterans to member companies. 

“North Carolina is the most military friendly state in the country, so it made sense to have a PestVets chapter. It’s a huge state for pest management, and a lot of veterans live in North Carolina, so it’s the perfect opportunity to educate veterans on the pest management industry and alert them to jobs in pest management,” said Michael Ivey, Chair of the NC PestVets Committee.

The NC PestVets officially launched at the 2023 PCT School with a 50/50 raffle fundraiser designed to raise startup funds for chapter activities. Prizes were donated from various companies, and members of the NCPMA 2023 Leadership Development Academy coordinated the fundraiser. 

The NC PestVets chapter plans to support national PestVets outreach opportunities while also developing outreach and support for veterans on a state level. Within North Carolina, the chapter hopes to educate veterans and military personnel about the pest control industry and provide additional support to veterans already in the industry to help them pursue their career goals.

“From a personal perspective, I know what a great fit the pest control industry is for veterans.  I am excited that our association has made the commitment to create a community for the veterans in our industry along with outreach initiatives for all veterans in North Carolina,” said Marie Horner, NCPMA President and former Chair of NPMA PestVets Council. 

“We care about the veteran community and want them to know we want to do everything we can to support them,” Ivey said.

Ivey will serve as Chair of the NC PestVets Committee. He served five years in the U.S. Navy and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is currently a Territory Manager for Syngenta.