DENVER, Colo. – July 18, 2024 – Sprague Pest Solutions announces the establishment of the Denver chapter of the Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM) organized with help from three women from Sprague’s Denver team: Edna Alfaro Inocente, Regional Entomologist; Mary Whitman, Branch Administrative Coordinator; and Jessicah Nelson, Route Manager.
The PWIPM is an affiliate group of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) whose mission is to attract, develop, and support women in the industry through educational programs, resources, and peer networking. Special thanks to industry suppliers Veseris, Forshaw, and ENVU for providing funding and support for the new chapter. The group started its activities in January this year and held their first in-person meeting in June at Sprague’s Denver branch.
“It’s important for PWIPM to have local chapters so geographically it’s easier for women in the pest management industry to connect,” said Mickey Thomas, NPMA PWIPM committee chair. “Starting local chapters like the one in Colorado also makes it easier to get involved on a local level and support the communities where we work and live.”
The PWIPM Colorado chapter board members are:
- Chairperson: Kristen Ewals-Strain, Northern Colorado Pest & Wildlife Control
- Co-Chair: Ashley Wagner, Northern Colorado Pest & Wildlife Control
- Treasurer: Edna Alfaro Inocente, Sprague Pest Solutions
- Philanthropy: Monice Long, Academy Pest Control
- Fundraising: Mary Whitman, Sprague Pest Solutions
- Education: Jennifer Gordon, Bug Lessons Consulting
- Social Media: Jessicah Nelson, Sprague Pest Solutions
The group plans to sponsor professional development and educational opportunities with a mix of virtual and in-person offerings. The chapter has also scheduled its inaugural community outreach effort helping pack food bags for Food for Thought, a non-profit group focused on eliminating weekend hunger for school children in Denver. Chapter members will also volunteer to assist with the PWIPM 5K during PestWorld 2024 which is being held in Denver in October.
“We are incredibly proud of Edna, Mary, and Jessicah for their contributions in establishing the Denver PWIPM chapter,” said Ross Treleven, President & CEO for Sprague. “This initiative aligns perfectly with our core principals and our ongoing efforts to promote diversity and belonging in our industry.”