History is a Great Barometer of the Future

As I mentioned in my comments during the Board of Directors meeting in Temecula two weeks ago, it has been an exciting eight months since beginning my journey as the chief executive of this organization. Over this period, I have spoken with hundreds of individuals who each have their own perspective of what PCOC means to them.

I pen this article after attending the Opening Ceremony of PestWorld 2023 earlier in the day. At the beginning of the event, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) leadership played a dynamic video produced to celebrate their 90th Anniversary as an organization. It reminded me of the rolling slide presentation of historic industry photos along with more contemporary pictures that PCOC highlighted in Monterey to celebrate PCOC’s 80th Anniversary.

At the center of both presentations are core values that have driven both professional pest management associations for nearly 100 years. It is undeniable that landscape of the pest control industry would be quite different if it were not for the collective efforts of the leadership, membership, and staff of these associations and the countless other organizations throughout the United States and around the world.

A little less than a month from now a diverse group of PCOC’s membership will meet in Burbank, California to help brainstorm on the most important goals and objectives for our Board of Directors to implement the critical underpinnings of our association’s mission statement to protect people, property and the food supply through environmental stewardship and legislative and regulatory advocacy. 

As part of this effort, PCOC’s Executive leadership, District and Committee Chairs along with other highly respected members will engage in energetic discussions to inspire dynamic ideas that will help identify bold short and long-term initiatives that seek to restore PCOC’s status as the best state pest management association in the country. This strategic thinking process seeks to focus on identifying potential strategic suggestions that can help expand a final product beyond an ordinary planning session document but securing an operational blueprint for PCOC to grow and prosper.

Steve Swafford, co-founder of Leadership Outfitters, will facilitate these consensus-based sessions. Steve has worked for more than 30 years with non-profits, trade associations, and professional societies in areas of strategy, leadership development, communication, membership, and executive management. Steve is also active in California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE) and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) leadership along with serving as a full-time Practitioner Faculty at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve PCOC and this tremendous industry of pest management professionals. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with ideas, concerns or just to check on ongoing activities. As I have articulated many times since coming aboard, PCOC is your association. It is important for you and your staff to be personally engaged in PCOC activities and functions. Hope to see all of you at a PCOC event soon.

Michael E. Wilson
Chief Executive Officer
Pest Control Operators of California