Fairfax, VA – March 9, 2026 –The Pest Management Foundation has announced the establishment of two new scholarships designed to support the next generation of pest management professionals: the Rick Bell Industry Affairs Scholarship and the Wayne Golden Leadership in Action Scholarship.

About the Rick Bell Industry Affairs Scholarship

Established through the generosity of Arrow Exterminators, the Rick Bell Industry Affairs Scholarship recognizes the lasting contributions of Rick Bell to the pest management industry and aims to support students interested in the role of public policy and industry affairs in pest management. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student pursuing a degree that benefits urban pest management and industry stewardship through public policy involvement at a Georgia college or university.

“After a long and rewarding career at Arrow Exterminators, I was given the honor of a scholarship in my name,” said Rick Bell. “Industry Affairs and Public Policy in Pest Management have been a small niche for many years but now the group is growing with people and talent. We will always have good and bad legislation to monitor and engage, and I sincerely hope this scholarship will further the career of an aspiring Pest Management Professional with an interest in Industry Affairs and the Legislative & Regulatory community.”

“Rick Bell’s career reflects the very best of industry advocacy,” said Tim Pollard. “For nearly five decades, he has served with integrity, professionalism, and a deep commitment to protecting and advancing the pest management profession. His work in government affairs and regulatory stewardship has strengthened not only Arrow Exterminators but our industry as a whole. The Rick Bell Industry Affairs Scholarship is our way of honoring his legacy and investing in the next generation of leaders who will advocate for responsible growth and strong partnerships at every level. We are proud to celebrate Rick’s contributions in a way that will continue to make a lasting impact.”

Award Amount: One (1) award per year totaling $1,000

Scholarship Criteria

• Full-time student in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale

• Applicant must be enrolling in or already enrolled in a Georgia college or university

• Student must be pursuing a degree program that benefits urban pest management

Recipients of the Rick Bell Industry Affairs Scholarship must also commit to writing a letter of appreciation outlining how the scholarship has helped them in their academic endeavors.

About the Wayne Golden Leadership in Action Scholarship

The Wayne Golden Leadership in Action Scholarship was established by Neighborly Pest Management, Rollins Inc., Holiday Termite & Pest Control, Payne Pest Management, Connecticut Pest Control Association, Rid-A-Bug Exterminating Co., and Latarsha Horne to honor Wayne Golden’s leadership and commitment to strengthening the pest management industry.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a high school student entering college or trade school whose studies focus on urban entomology, rodentology, or biological sciences. Priority will be given to minority students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), military veterans or those with direct family members actively serving or who have served in the military, and students whose families serve in the pest control industry.

“My hope is that this scholarship removes one barrier and gives the recipient the confidence to pursue what they’re capable of achieving,” said Wayne Golden.

Award Amount: One (1) award per year totaling $1,000

Scholarship Criteria

• Student graduating from high school entering college or trade school

• Full-time student in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

• Students whose studies focus on urban entomology, rodentology, or biological sciences

• Priority given to minority students whose families serve in the pest control industry

• Priority given to applicants attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

• Priority given to military veterans or applicants with direct family members actively serving or who have served in the military

Application Submission Requirements

• Resume or curriculum vita

• Current unofficial academic transcript

• A one-page (minimum) essay describing the applicant’s professional goals and aspirations and how they plan to use their studies to contribute to the field of urban pest management

• At least one (1) letter of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s work ethic, academic progress, and how they plan to use their studies to contribute to their field

• Other supporting documents (research papers and proposals, faculty research participation, related industry internship participation, fellowship projects, industry work experience, etc.) can also be submitted

Applications for these and all other Foundation scholarships will open in October. Further details on applying for these scholarships can be found at www.NPMAFoundation.org. For more information about the Foundation and its scholarship program, visit NPMAFoundation.org or contact Mike Bentley at mbentley@pestworld.org.

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About the Pest Management Foundation

The Pest Management Foundation’s mission and purpose is to advance the pest management industry through education, research, and training. The Pest Management Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with the National Pest Management Association, the industry's only national trade group. The Foundation has been in existence for more than 30 years and was originally named the Buettner Pest Control Foundation in honor of William O. Buettner, NPMA’s first President and Executive Vice President. Visit NPMAFoundation.org for more information.