Course Goals

February 3-6 2025, Decatur, GA

  • Provide new pesticide inspectors with a basic knowledge and awareness of structural pesticide application techniques and considerations when performing inspections and investigations.
  • Enhance participants’ ability to meet the present challenges of regulating pesticide use where humans live, work, and play through increasing knowledge about pests, vector-borne diseases, non-target exposure, and effective communication about the risks and benefits of pesticide use.
  • Provide networking opportunities for those in the pesticide community.

Target Audience

State, Territory and Tribal Pesticide inspectors operating under a cooperative agreement, that would benefit from a general overview of issues and skills needed to conduct neutral scheme inspections, follow protocols and conduct for cause investigations, and address other compliance concerns related to structural pesticide uses. 

Participants

  • Abigail Doty – Kansas Department of Agriculture
  • Andrew Keathley – Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
  • Benjamin Bakken – Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
  • Claritza Montero – Texas Department of Agriculture
  • Courtney Chappelear – Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
  • Devin El-Amin – Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
  • Eric Vincent Robinson – Georgia Department of Agriculture
  • Garfield Williams – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Gary Smith – Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
  • Heather Rickenbach – Oregon Department of Agriculture
  • Jaya Thomas – Illinois Department of Public Health
  • Jennifer Pate – Georgia Department of agriculture
  • John William (Billy) Carman – Maryland Department of Agriculture
  • Joseph Baker – Arizona Department of Agriculture
  • Keith Collins – North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • Leigh Ann French – Kentucky Department of Agriculture
  • Marangely Alvarado-Rivera – EPA Region 2
  • Melynda Manuel – Clemson Department of Pesticide Regulation
  • Michelle Diaz Laboy – EPA Region 4
  • Oley Emerson Perry – Mississippi Department of Agriculture
  • Phillip White – CSKT Natural Resources Department
  • Stephen Kakaire – Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
  • Steven Negron – New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
  • Tyler Jacobs – Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe

Planning Committee

  • Derrick Lastinger – Georgia Department of Agriculture
  • Ryan Okey – Clemson University
  • Bonnie Rabe – Rollins Inc.
  • Allison Cuellar – Texas Department of Agriculture
  • Dave Huber – Vermont Agency of Agriculture
  • Sharon Dobesh-Beckman – US EPA Region 7
  • Kevin Ulrich – US EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, Registration Division
  • Michael Bauman – US EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA)

Travel & Lodging Information

  • State, Territory, and Tribal Participants
    • Lodging, flight, and ground transportation will be arranged and paid for by the PIRT team. There is no registration fee for State, Territory, and Tribal Participants.
  • EPA Participants
    • EPA Participants are responsible for reserving their own flights, lodging, and ground transportation. There is a registration fee for EPA participants.
  • More information will be shared via email after accepted attendees complete the course registration form. Please look for these in your inbox/spam folder.