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. 

Nominations & Participants

Nominations are submitted via an online form and are due no later than Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Selections will be made by the PIRT team and planning group. Nominees will be notified no later than Friday, December 6, 2024, and must confirm their participation no later than Friday, December 20, 2024.

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.