Members in the News - Q3 2025
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Member Updates
September 17, 2025
Thomas Pest Services Joins Local Businesses to Support Backpack Giveaway for Students in Need
Thomas Pest Services partnered with Hodges T-Shirt & Apparel, Morabito Lawn & Tree Care, and the Hudson Elks to support the annual Backpack Giveaway for students in the Chatham and Ichabod Crane School Districts. This year, the initiative provided 100 fully stocked backpacks and donated 20 directly to the districts, ensuring more children started the year prepared for success. “Supporting our community goes beyond pest protection—it’s about helping families feel secure and cared for,” said Sarah Thomas-Clark, Vice President of Thomas Pest Services
September 15, 2025
Sprague Promotes Second Denver Operations Manager
Sprague Pest Solutions has promoted Adam Philp to Operations Manager at its Denver branch, joining Michael Franks in leading one of Sprague’s largest territories. Philp, who joined in 2022, is recognized for his technical expertise, leadership, and dedication to client success. With nine years of facilities management experience, he excels in compliance, process improvement, and mentoring new team members. Regional Manager Kolbin Bertilson praised Philp’s integrity and client relationships, noting his strong impact since joining. As Denver continues to grow, Philp will help guide operations, support team development, and uphold Sprague’s high service standards across Colorado.
September 9, 2025
Syngenta appoints new Midwest territory manager for Professional Pest Management team
Syngenta is pleased to announce that Tessa Bergefurd has joined its Professional Pest Management team as a new territory manager. In her role, Bergefurd will support pest control customers in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and Western Pennsylvania.
Bergefurd graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture. While there, she developed a passion for pest control during an internship with an industry manufacturer. Since then, she has held positions within other industry companies throughout her career, most recently with Arkion Life Sciences as a sales and marketing specialist.
Bergefurd is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
August 15, 2025
Mourning the Loss of Bekki Bullert
Bekki Bullert, co-owner of Big Time Pest Control in Anderson, CA, passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 49 after a yearlong battle with cancer.
Bekki and her husband, Mike Bullert, purchased Big Time Pest Control in 2007. At the time, it was a small operation with just a route and a half. Together, they grew the company to over 56 employees. Bekki was an integral part of the leadership team, passionate about customer service and streamlining internal systems.
She was an expert in PestPac software, using it to automate and optimize business functions. Bekki frequently contributed to software forums and was a speaker at the annual WorkWave conference.
In the early days, you could often find Bekki selling pest control over the phone while picking up the kids from school or cheering them on at softball games. Her greatest love was her family. She raised four beautiful children and was deeply involved in their lives.
Bekki loved attending their softball, soccer, basketball, and wrestling matches, as well as choir recitals and rodeo events. She was active in the PTA and served as a local 4-H Swine Leader, teaching youth about agriculture and how to raise market hogs. She even ran a successful election campaign and was elected to the Board of Trustees for the local high school district.
Bekki was also involved in the California Pest Management Association (CAPMA) and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Her husband Mike, to whom she was married for 30 years, is currently NPMA’s president-elect and a past president of CAPMA. Bekki frequently attended PestWorld and other industry events. She recently attended the Women’s Forum in Austin, TX, to support her daughter Kaylin, who received NPMA's Impact Award.
Bekki will be remembered most for her strength and courage. After being diagnosed with colon cancer at age 46, she fought not only to survive but to thrive. Following her diagnosis, she walked part of the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain and swam with two 14-foot tiger sharks in Hawaii.
Until her final day, Bekki remained a powerful example of resilience, passion, and love for life and family. Her legacy lives on in her family, her business, and the countless lives she touched.
August 13, 2025
Sprague Awards Scholarship to Two Washington Students
Sprague Pest Solutions has awarded its 2025 scholarships to Jaden Jennings of Lake Stevens, WA, and Bella Simpson of Tacoma, WA. The program’s fifth year saw a record number of applicants. Jennings, a Western Washington University student and son of Marysville team member Gary Jennings, is the first to receive the scholarship twice. A student athlete and community volunteer, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in physical therapy. Simpson, daughter of Bellevue team member Travis Simpson, attends Tacoma Community College and has completed over 300 service hours. Sprague’s scholarship program, launched in 2021, supports education and invests in communities.
July 29, 2025
Arrow Exterminators Mourns the Passing of Long-Time Industry Veteran Rob Lewis
Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators, Inc. announced the unexpected passing of Robert “Rob” Lewis. Mr. Lewis had been an integral part of Arrow’s training team in Florida since his family business, Lewis-Cobb Exterminating merged with Arrow five years ago.
Emily Thomas Kendrick, CEO of Arrow Exterminators stated, “We will be forever grateful to Rob for his dedication and service to my family’s company, operating in Florida as Stark Exterminators. It was a privilege for me and many of our Arrow team members in Florida to have met and worked with Rob. All those who knew Rob will forever remember him with a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed.”
Tim Pollard, President and COO of Arrow Exterminators, added, “I am very saddened by Rob’s passing. He was an important piece in the training arm of Arrow, and I will always be appreciative of his positive impact on the company. The Arrow family offers our thoughts, prayers and support to his wife Carrie, his father Roger and the entire Lewis family at this time.”
July 15, 2025
Sprague Leaders Elected to Oregon and Utah Pest Association Boards
Sprague Pest Solutions continues its legacy of industry leadership with two team members joining state pest control association boards. Francis Clark, ACE, begins a one-year term on the Oregon Pest Control Association board on July 1, 2025, advocating for southern Oregon’s pest control community. Lindsey Marker started her term with the Utah Pest Control Association on June 1, 2025, lending decades of operational expertise. Their appointments honor the contributions of Larry Treleven, who served on both associations for over a decade. President & CEO Ross Treleven praised their roles as vital to advancing the profession through education, advocacy, and leadership.
July 8, 2025
Sprague's Salt Lake Team Welcome New Branch Manager
Sprague Pest Solutions has promoted Chastin Hunsaker to Branch Manager of its Salt Lake City office, marking the first new leader in that role in nearly a decade. Since joining Sprague in 2021 as a Route Manager, Hunsaker advanced to Branch Trainer Technician and built a reputation for leadership and technical expertise. A U.S. Army Reserves veteran, his disciplined, service-driven approach guides his leadership style. “Chastin’s growth shows what’s possible when you embrace challenge,” said Regional Manager Lindsey Marker. In his new role, he will lead service operations and team development throughout the expanding Wasatch Front service region.
July 7, 2025
Waynes Pest Control Acquires Donnie’s Total Pride Pest Control
Waynes Pest Control has acquired Donnie’s Total Pride Pest Control, a trusted, family-owned company serving Port St. Joe, Florida, and surrounding areas for over 30 years. This acquisition expands Waynes’ presence in the Florida Panhandle and supports its mission to deliver World Class Service across the Southeast. Donnie’s long-standing commitment to quality service and community values aligns with Waynes’ core principles of Integrity, Courage, Perseverance, and Character. Waynes, an Anticimex company, now serves over 150,000 customers in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and the Florida Panhandle.
June 27, 2025
Sprague Announces Promotions of Two New Operations Manager
Sprague Pest Solutions has promoted Michael Franks, ACE, and Christian Guidry to Operations Managers in Denver and Seattle, respectively. Franks, who joined in 2010, advanced through roles including Trainer Technician and recently earned his ACE certification. His promotion aligns with the Denver team’s evolving leadership structure. Guidry, a 2023 hire, quickly emerged as a leader and safety advocate, serving as Safety Champion. He joins as Seattle’s second Operations Manager, reflecting the branch’s complexity and client volume. These promotions—Sprague’s third and fourth from within this year—underscore the company’s commitment to developing future leaders and strengthening regional operations.
