Leadership Moves Reshaping Pest Control Teams in 2026
Pest control and extermination services are built on people. In 2026, that reality is front and center as industry associations, manufacturers and leading service companies spotlight promotions, recognize high performers and open new avenues for professional growth.
From the National Pest Management Association’s latest honors to strategic branch promotions and organizational restructures, there is a clear message for every pest management company: investing in leaders is no longer optional, it is a competitive advantage.
Branch Promotions That Strengthen Local Market Performance
Two well known service brands, Sprague Pest Solutions and Truly Nolen Pest Control, recently expanded their leadership benches in key markets. Their moves illustrate how smart promotions can support growth while protecting service quality.
Sprague Pest Solutions is reinforcing its California footprint with new leadership in Sacramento and Fresno. The company elevated David Valdez, ACE, to branch manager of Sacramento, recognizing both his technical background and his track record in operational leadership. His promotion signals the value of branch leaders who understand complex accounts and can translate standards into day to day execution.
To give Sacramento even more depth, Sprague promoted Sonny Roldan to operations manager. Roldan brings experience from the food management sector and school districts, along with a strong sales foundation. That mix of backgrounds helps an operations leader see both regulatory requirements and customer expectations with equal clarity.
Sprague has also appointed Seanna Hall as a second operations manager in Sacramento. Her prior recognition as Female Technician of the Year and experience in training, customer success and regulatory compliance reinforces a culture of high performance. Meanwhile, in Fresno, the company named Dillon Weaver as its first operations manager, recognizing his role in supporting Sprague’s expansion into a region that serves many of the nation’s largest food suppliers.
At Truly Nolen, leadership growth is also coming from within. The company promoted Mark Freize to operations manager of its San Marcos service office after he completed a manager in training program and brought more than a decade of branch management experience. His responsibilities include building visibility in the local community and embedding company values in the team’s everyday work.
Similarly, Truly Nolen promoted Jeffrey Hackett to operations manager of the San Antonio service office. Hackett joined as a sales representative and brought nearly nine years of sales experience from a food company. In his new role, he will focus on growing the branch, raising its profile in the community and fostering a positive culture for both customers and team members.
Advocacy and Service: Leadership Beyond the Branch
Leadership in pest management also extends beyond company walls. At the National Pest Management Association’s Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., two professionals were honored for their contributions to policy and veteran service.
The Policy Person of the Year Award went to Adam Carace, ACE, CEO of Pest End. Carace has been a driving force in public policy for the New England Pest Management Association. After assuming the State and Provincial Affairs Representative role, he played a key part in increasing member participation in policy discussions and organized the first Massachusetts Hill Day, a landmark state level advocacy event.
Carace’s work as Chair of Public Policy for his regional association and as a member of the NPMA Public Policy Committee shows how individual initiative can amplify the voice of pest management professionals. For local operators, this highlights the value of supporting staff who step into advocacy roles that protect both businesses and public health.
The David Cooksey PestVet of the Year Award recognized another dimension of leadership. It was presented to David Poplin, CEO of Legion Pest Management, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business. Poplin, a Marine Corps veteran, has built his company around veteran employment and now holds more than 49 Department of Veterans Affairs pest management contracts across the United States.
Beyond his company, Poplin is co owner of Revolution National Pest Council, a pest control trade school and approved SkillBridge program that creates a pathway from active duty service to pest management careers. The program has earned the Hire Vets Medallion Award for eight consecutive years, underscoring its impact on veteran hiring.
Poplin’s long standing involvement with American Legion Post 852, his foundation’s support for MilVet and recognition by the California State Senate for veteran service all point to a broader lesson: companies that invest in service and community can build strong reputations while attracting mission driven talent.
Women’s Leadership and Relatable Management Skills
The NPMA is also creating space for more women leaders in pest control. Registration is open for the 2026 Women’s Forum, taking place May 19 21 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event is designed as a focused environment for learning, networking and collaboration among women in the industry.
The program will open with keynote speaker Rachel DeAlto, a nationally recognized communication and leadership expert. Her session will explore what it means to become a relatable leader, blending psychology, research and practical insight into tools participants can use immediately.
For pest management companies, encouraging current and emerging female leaders to attend this forum can pay dividends in engagement, retention and innovation. It is a concrete step toward a more inclusive leadership pipeline.
Manufacturer Side Leadership: Bell Laboratories’ New Sales Structure
Leadership changes are also reshaping the manufacturer side of the pest control ecosystem. Bell Laboratories announced a new structure for its domestic technical sales team, including promotions, expanded roles and new territories.
Under the updated structure, regional directors of sales oversee key account managers and technical representatives across the West, East and Central regions, as well as Latin America and Canada. Additional roles support Bell Sensing Technologies, whose iQ products gather and analyze rodent activity data through a dedicated app and portal.
Bell’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer emphasized that the restructure is designed to sustain growth, strengthen the brand and maintain high levels of customer service, technical support and training. The company is leaning on what it calls its most important asset its people and aligning its team to better serve professional partners.
Action Steps for Pest Control Owners and Managers
Taken together, these developments offer a practical roadmap for building stronger pest control organizations, whether you run a single branch or a multi state operation.
- Promote from within when possible, as Sprague and Truly Nolen have done, using manager in training programs and clear advancement paths.
- Value diverse experience, from food safety and school environments to sales and technical roles, when selecting operations leaders.
- Encourage team members to participate in advocacy through associations like NPMA and regional groups, supporting those who take on public policy responsibilities.
- Explore partnerships and hiring pipelines that welcome veterans, following the example set by Legion Pest Management and its training initiatives.
- Support women in your organization by backing attendance at events such as the NPMA Women’s Forum and creating internal networks for mentorship.
- Leverage manufacturer partners not only for products but also for training, technical support and sensing technologies that can enhance service delivery.
Leadership in pest control is no longer limited to who holds a title. It is reflected in how companies promote their people, engage in public policy, support underrepresented groups and collaborate across the supply chain. By paying attention to the moves highlighted here, pest management businesses of every size can shape a more resilient, future ready team.
