SPEAKERS |
| Allison Beach is a recent graduate of Purdue University’s Department of Entomology with a bachelor’s degree in insect biology. She is a Board-Certified Entomologist Intern. Allison started at Rose Pest Solutions and sister company Franklin as a technical specialist in June 2024. She is a nature-lover and enjoys arthropods as an interest and hobby, as well as an area of study. |
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Tom Kaps is the owner of Flock Free Bird Control, an industry leader in bird remediation products and services. With almost 20 years experience in the commercial bird control field, Tom helps customers and pest management professionals address problems in homes and commercial spaces. Tom focuses on practical ways to identify a problem, choose an approach, and put it to work. |
 | Raymond Kidwell spent 23 years with McCall Service Inc., ultimately as VP of Administration, following earlier roles at TruGreen Lawn Care and Orkin Pest Control. He is now director of business development at Voice for Pest, a phone system designed for the industry. His leadership includes chairing Copesan’s Technology Advancement Committee, serving on NPMA’s Technology Committee, and holding prominent roles with Florida PMA. |
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Patrick (PJ) Liesch is an Extension entomologist and has been the director of the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab since 2014. He is a regular guest on Wisconsin Public Radio, a speaker for the Master Gardener and Pesticide Applicator Training programs, and an instructor for the UW Farm and Industry Short Course program. PJ can also be found tweeting about insects as @WiBugGuy. |
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Jason Meyers has been a technical services representative for BASF Professional & Specialty Solutions since 2009. He earned his doctorate in urban entomology from Texas A&M, where he studied the identification and control of invasive tawny crazy ants. His work includes peer-reviewed publications, educational articles for professional magazines, and industry presentations spanning more than 20 years. |
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Tom Mueller has dedicated his career to tackling stored product insects and the food safety challenges they create. As owner of Insects Limited and The Center for Stored Product Protection, he supports practical research and develops solutions to help control pests. He also works directly with pest management professionals and food manufacturers to implement pheromone programs and integrated pest management strategies. |
 | Will Nething is a 20-year combat-disabled veteran, entrepreneur, and community builder. He founded Operation Community Cares, which supported more than 5,000 homes during the COVID-19 shutdown and remains ready to respond in emergencies. Today, he is CEO of The Dispensary and president of Hemp 4 Heroes, with a portfolio spanning 34 LLCs in five states, including nonprofits, consulting firms, retail businesses, farms, and greenhouses. A lifelong Batman fan with a deployment-born affection for unicorns, Will finds his greatest satisfaction in work that makes a difference. |
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Thomas (Tommy) Powell joined MGK Insect Control Solutions as a technical field specialist in 2016. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in urban entomology from the University of Florida. Before joining MGK, he spent 16 years in pest management, including serving as technical director for three top-100 pest control companies and branch manager for one. |
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Laura Rosenwald, M.S., BCE, is NPMA’s associate director of education and training. She earned a B.S. in environmental biology from Georgetown University in 2015. After a year at a brewery, she earned a master’s in entomology from the University of Kentucky in 2020, researching bacterial infections that manipulate reproduction in agricultural sheet-weaving spiders. Laura became a Board Certified Entomologist in 2023. |
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Wiley Sanders started his first construction company at 18. In 1992, he entered pest management and eventually bought a company, adding a construction division that drew on his building expertise. Wiley sold the business in 2006 and today he is Rentokil’s technical services manager for home & building services, championing pest exclusion and minimal-pesticide approaches to preventing and resolving pest problems. |
 | Gary Wagner Jr. ACE, PHE has spent his career in the pest management industry, working alongside owners, managers, and technicians. He enjoys talking shop, solving real-world problems, and helping people find practical ways to grow their businesses. Gary believes in keeping things simple, being helpful, and having a little fun along the way. |
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Ken Wundrow began his career as a public school teacher while building a tax-planning business serving 140 clients. After 25 years in education and 18 in the tax business, he moved into financial planning and oversaw staff training. Retired in 2017 (sort of), he now mentors startups through SCORE, a nonprofit small-business mentoring organization, advising on taxes, business structure, employee issues and client experience. |
