The GPCA office will be closed from NOON Tues, Sept 9 through Thurs, Sept 11, 2025 due to the North GA Conference.
Veteran Spotlight Charlene Mertz
Honoring those who served our country... Charlene Mertz
My name is Charlene Mertz and I am a United States Marine. 20 July, 1983 I marched across the parade deck at Parris Island, the only USMC Recruit Training Depot for women. And, yes, I was the one in Dress Blues. You see, I won the Honor Graduate Award for my platoon, bringing to fruition my biggest childhood dream and carrying out the best day of my life. Such an accomplishment, and I wear my earned title with ‘full-on’ pride. My MOS was avionics, stationed in Memphis Millington for training and was later honorably discharged.
Adjusting to civilian life, I spent roughly 16 years in a big box store element. My final year in that arena, I was a District Manager for a vendor service company responsible for 7 direct reports and 48 stores. I also, as a 36-year-old adult in 2000, went back to college to complete my Bachelor of Science Summa Cum Laude. I graduated December, 2002.
2004 brought a big change. In June, I was contacted by Waterbury Companies for the opportunity of what was to become my career. With the Marine mentality of “improvise, adapt, and overcome”, I embraced the pest control industry, promptly fell in love with the people, and have never looked back. Now on year 15, of my 21+ years in the industry, I was fortunate and blessed to land a position with the Nisus Corporation in early 2011.
I know who leads my path. I am where I’m supposed to be. Semper Fi
Thank you Charlene for your honorable service to our Country. You inspire others to give selflessly and serve courageously.
What is PestVets? GPCA Committee with the Mission to make Pest Management an industry of choice for veterans in Georgia, to be recognized as the best industry for veterans to work in, and to be an industry that supports veterans.
You DO NOT need to be a veteran to serve on the Committee. We are looking for people who want to support this mission. Committee Chair: Rick Anglian, Syngenta/Co-Chair: Chad Beranek, Arrow Exterminators If you would like to be involved, contact Rick at rick.anglian@syngenta.com
Initiatives of PestVets:
Sell apparel and coins to provide funding for Veteran Relief/Outreach Projects
Participate in an annual Coat Drive for Veterans
Encourage recognition of military veterans within the Pest Management Industry
Welcome military veterans into the industry as a viable career option post-military
