Charlie Church, Getem Services

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has appointed Charlie Church, president of Getem Services and a member of the Virginia Pest Management Association (VPMA) board of directors, to the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VBACS). The board is part of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

Church moves into the Commercial Structural Pesticide Applicator seat vacated by Kevin Kordek, who served the maximum allowable time of eight years on this board.

“Over the past eight years, the VPMA has established trust and value with this group as the first non-agricultural board member. We brought experience and enlightenment regarding the importance of the pest management industry’s contribution to protecting health and property and relevance to their daily lives,” Kordek said in a VPMA news release. “I have every confidence that Charlie Church will continue with this tradition as a strong and balanced voice of the VPMA and its members. Charlie brings a great deal of knowledge, experience and leadership to the board, and he will be welcomed with open arms.”

LOGO: VDACS

Per the news release, the VBACS is a policy board in the executive branch of state government that may promulgate public policies or regulations, promote the agricultural interests of the Commonwealth, and advise the governor on the state of the agricultural industry. Policies and regulations enforced by the Office of Pesticide Services within VDACS are under the authority of the board. The VBACS is also charged with adjudicating violations of the regulations.

Prior to 2012, the authority over pesticide regulation was held by the Pesticide Control Board (PCB). VPMA Past President Joe Wilson sat on this board from its inception in 1989, protecting the interests of the pest management industry, until June 30, 2012, when the PCB was abolished, and its duties were transferred to the VBACS.