It’s hard to believe 20 years have passed since Dr. Austin Frishman explained, in a conference call with the Pest Management Professional (PMP) magazine staff, his desire to recognize the many leaders and pioneers — both contemporary and from generations past — in the pest management industry.

The PMP staff agreed they deserved more than just a one-off profile now and then. A formally installed, uber-selective Hall of Fame is what the pest management industry needed. Throughout 1996, PMP’s issues featured a call for nominations. Response was immense. We convened a special committee to winnow through the entries, and came up with three very deserving candidates: Bill Brehm (the “B” in the “B&G”), Dr. John Osmun of Purdue University, and Bob Russell of Orkin Pest Control. All three gentlemen are gone now, but at the time Russell and Dr. Osmun attended our special dinner, held at Purdue University in January 1997, along with their families and members of Brehm’s family.

It wasn’t long before we moved the celebration to coincide with the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA’s) annual PestWorld conference, to give easier access to the inductees and their guests. We have never forgotten our roots — and those of the professional industry — at Purdue. Plaques of all PMP Hall of Famers adorn the walls of Smith Hall at the esteemed university.

Every PMP Hall of Fame class is special, of course, but to know we reached the 20-year milestone with this premier industry-recognition program is something to celebrate. Please join us in congratulating our 20th class of the PMP Hall of Fame. At our black-tie event in Seattle on Oct. 17, the eve before PestWorld kicks off, we will induct:

• Dr. Vernard Lewis, University of California — Berkeley
• Richard Sameth, retired, Western Pest Services
• Vern Toblan (deceased), Pi Chi Omega
• Lawrence Treleven, Sprague Pest Solutions

You’ll learn more about these four titans of industry as the months progress. If you have memories and stories to share about any of them, please drop me a line at hgooch@northcoastmedia.net. As for the 19 previous classes of PMP Hall of Famers, you can read about their lives and industry contributions at PMPHallofFame.net.

We’re currently accepting nominations for the Class of 2017 and beyond. You may nominate a pest management professional of any walk of life — business owner, technician, researcher, manufacturer, etc. — at https://pmphalloffame.com/nominate-someone/.

Our PMP Hall of Fame event would not be possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors: BASF Pest Control Solutions, Bug Off Pest Control Center, Control Solutions Inc. (CSI), J.T. Eaton & Co., MGK, Oldham Chemicals Co., Purdue University, Rockwell Labs Ltd and ServicePro.