Description
A highly experienced forensic entomologist and pest management consultant with more than two decades of expertise in urban and agricultural entomology, pest control, and forensic investigations.
With a background in agricultural biology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, this expert has provided consulting services in pest identification, site inspections, reporting, training, and treatment methodology across a wide range of structural, agricultural, and environmental matters.
Professional experience includes leadership roles in consulting, technical sales, and client training throughout Southern California, along with multiple state licenses and industry certifications, including Board Certified Entomologist status. Known for combining scientific knowledge with practical field application, this expert supports legal, commercial, and technical audiences with clear, credible analysis.
Education and Background
Graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 2000
Bachelor of Science – Agricultural Biology major emphases in entomology and their control
Main areas of study included in the applied sciences are:
• IPM integrated pest management
Study of combining all tools pesticides, exclusion, sanitation, eliminating harborage and water issues associated with pest, etc needed to control pests while observing the need to be cognizant of the environment.
• Vertebrate Pests commensal rodents and other wildlife
Biology, morphology of rodents and other wildlife. Emphasis on control measures including pesticides, identification of damage and exclusion techniques.
• Plant ID Horticulture and Turf & Ornamental
Study of plants associated in the Turf & Ornamental markets, their biology and morphology and identification.
• Plant Pathology
Diseases associated with plants. Biology and morphology of certain fungi, bacteria and virus.
• Entomology Urban, Agriculture, Aquatic and Pathology
· Disease, signs and symptoms associated with disease on humans vectored by arthropods.
· General and advanced entomology, biology and morphology with major emphasis on roaches, ants, door yard pests, termites, spiders, mosquitoes and other aquatic vectors of disease, stored product pests, Ag pests, animal pests and their diseases and ailments,
· Systematic Entomology/Insect Population Ecology: insects and other invertebrates are greatly influenced by food, water and temperature factors associated with weather patterns. Through certain mathematical equations we can monitor the rise and fall of thresholds of insects associated with certain crops, structural and other horticultural plants.
· Biological Entomology: Chemistries and biological functions of insects and other invertebrates at the cell and chemical level.
· Pest Control Methodology: The essential science behind the control of insects including the use of pesticides, exclusion, abiotic and biotic factors that affect control and IPM integrated pest management
· Weeds
Identification, biology and morphology of weeds associated in the Turf & Ornamental and Ag markets. Emphasis on control and maintenance.
· Pesticides
Understanding classes of chemistry and how they work to kill insects and other invertebrates and hazmat laws and regulations.
· Turf
Different turf species associated in the golf and landscape markets, their biology and morphology and their health. Irrigation, fertilization and disease control emphasized.
· Soil Science
Fertilization, soil chemistry and how soils interact with pH and different cohesive substances that create soils.
Professional Experience
Private Consulting, Lake Elsinore, CA 2012-Present
Consulting services in the pest control industry including expert witnessing, onsite inspections, reports, research, pest identification, training and treatment/application methods and problem solving. Consulting fields include forensic entomology, rodents, birds and other wildlife associated in and around structures.
Veseris, Southern CA Account Executive 2020-Present
Tasks include what I did for Univar Solutions, but now focused in the San Diego territory. Univar Solutions sold our department Environment Sciences and now we are a standalone company which focuses on pesticide and equipment sales into the agriculture, specialty agriculture, turf and ornamental, structural pest control, vegetation management and aquatic maintenance industries.
VWR/Vopak/Univar, Southern CA Outside Sales Representative 2001-2019
Daily tasks include client employee training general/advanced entomology, laws and regulations, pesticides, respirator and other pesticide safety courses seminar presentations for large CEU organizations, PCA recommendations, consulting, insect, plant disease, and weed identification, soil analysis consulting, fertilization programs, new territory sales, maintain and improve current relationships while acquiring new clients.
• Urban/Agricultural Entomology Forensic Entomologist
• Maintaining and creating new client relationships in Riverside and San Diego County
Inside Sales Representative 2001 Assisted with outside sales representatives with in-house sales of pesticides to private companies. Use company UVX database to input orders, billing, product stock, customer account information.
FERRO GROVE MANAGEMENT, Temecula, CA PCA
Assistant Assisted privately owned agriculture companies from the Hemet to San Diego areas in pest management.
CA State Licenses and Certifications
Pest Control Advisor PCA: 71564
• California State License required to make legal written and verbal pesticide recommendations in the Ag, Turf & Ornamental markets. Issued by Dept of Pesticide Regulation in Sacramento. CEU’s required to maintain license are 40 hours every two years which include four hours of laws and regulations and 36 hours of other.
· Categories on license:
▪ A: Insect, Mite and other Invertebrates
▪ B: Plant Pathogens
▪ D: Vertebrate Pests
▪ E: Weeds
▪ G: Plant Growth Regulators
Board Certified Entomologist BCE: B3166
▪ A certification offered by the Entomological Society of America which essentially recognizes your status as an expert in the field. This credential is maintained and verified every three years by obtaining 120 hours of CEUs in different categories. Acknowledgement includes the field of urban entomology.
Qualified Applicators License QAL: 99546
• California State License required to do work for hire in the AG and Non-Ag fields which include the Turf & Ornamental markets. Also qualifies the company to use restricted use pesticides in the state of California. QALs must acquire 20 hours of CEUs every two years which include 4 hours of laws and regulations and 16 hours of other.
· Categories on license:
▪ B: Landscape Maintenance ▪ C: Right Away
▪ D: Plant Agriculture
▪ F: Aquatic
▪ K: Health Related
Field Representative License FR: 49414
• California State License offered by the Structural Pest Control Board SPCB which allows an individual to perform or secure pest control work, make inspections to identify infestations/infections, apply pesticides, make recommendations, submit bids and sign contracts on behalf of a registered pest control company.
· Branch of license:
▪ Branch 2: household pest control in and around structures excluding fumigation.
▪ Branch 3: wood destroying organisms
Associations
California Association of Pest Control Advisors CAPCA
• Organization that supports PCA’s and lobbies for their interests. Seminars and other meetings directed toward the growth and learning of PCAs.
Entomological Society of America ESA
• The Entomological Society of America ESA is the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has more than 6,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Members are researchers, teachers, extension service personnel, administrators, marketing representatives, research technicians, consultants, students, and hobbyists.
Pesticide Applicators Professional Association PAPA
• CEU organization that offers seminars to the Turf & Ornamental, Structural and Ag markets for California State QAL/QAC and PCA holders.
• Served as President
• Board member for 12 years Pest Control Operators of California PCOC
• Organization that supports and lobbies for the interest of pest control businesses in California. Monthly meetings are supported by local pest control companies and vendors in separate districts that offer CEU’s for pest control state licenses and also allows members to vote on separate issues.
• Past Vice chair of the San Bernardino/Riverside District.