Jeff Keller Named 2024 David Cooksey PestVet of the Year

Congratulations to Jeff Keller, ACE PCQI, who has been named the 2024 David Cooksey PestVet of the Year. Keller, who serves as Technical Services Director for Burns Pest Elimination in Phoenix, Arizona, was presented with the award at NPMA's Legislative Day on Monday, March 11, 2024. 

The award, sponsored by FMC, was created to honor a veteran who has helped strengthen the role of pest management. They are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the industry and to the communities they serve. 

Keller is a 20-year veteran of the pest management industry as well as a veteran of the US Army. He served as a Transportation Operations Specialist, an Airborne & Pathfinder, and an AIT Instructor/Writer. His deployments include Operations Just Cause, Desert Storm, Operation Sea Signal, Restore Hope, and 4 humanitarian missions.

He has been a pioneer in developing programs with NPMA and his state association to connect veterans to careers in pest control and assisted NPMA in becoming officially approved as a Department of Defense SkillBridge Partner. 

On Fridays, you’ll find him at the V.A. Phoenix Rehab Clinic fixing up pest control equipment to make it functional for veterans with disabilities so that they are able to work in service industries. He also refurbishes old guitars with the Guitars4Vets raising funding for a music program for veterans with PTSD.  

He has helped launch numerous philanthropic efforts with his PestVets state unit and was integral in partnering with Forgotten Not Gone to raise over $70,000 for veterans at PestWorld in 2021.

Cory Burns of Burns Pest Elimination noted "Each and every day, he personally strives for the best from himself and his team. Through communication, leadership, mentoring, and overall passion, he has brought the Burns Pest Elimination service team and company to a new level."