Fairfax, VA – March 29, 2023, Last week, pest management professionals made their voices heard on Capitol Hill during the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) annual Legislative Day program with record-breaking attendance numbers! Attendees had the opportunity to see an exciting lineup of Keynote speakers, network with colleagues during fun-filled receptions, and honor members of the pest management community during award presentations. For the first time since 2020, attendees met with over 150 Members of Congress and their staff in person on the Hill to discuss key issues affecting the pest management industry.

This year, Xavier Cugnon of Arrow Exterminators in Atlanta, GA was honored as the David Cooksey PestVet of the Year. Cugnon, a former Marine, is active in supporting his local county program for homeless veterans. He established a Veteran’s Committee in his company, which has resulted in numerous charitable programs including sponsoring Christmas for local families, building handicap-accessible ramps for those in need, yard clean-up at veteran’s homes, and providing pest services for those in desperate situations.

Also honored this year was Chris Haggerty of American Pest Control as the winner of the 2023 FMC Award. Haggerty is a third-generation pest professional who now runs his company with his sister. He has served on the NPMA Board of Directors and as the President of the Illinois Pest Control Association. In addition, Haggerty is the State Policy Affairs Representative (SPAR) for Illinois, and each year travels to Washington, D.C. for Legislative Day to meet with his representatives and ensure the pest management industry has a voice at the national and local level.

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About the National Pest Management Association

The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 4,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health, food, and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. For more information, visit www.NPMAPestWorld.org.