Wednesday, May 26
2:30pm-3:30pm
Bed Bugs: Legislative Update, Best Practices for Control in Multi-Family Housing, and the Effective Use of "Bed Bug Dogs"
Panel: Conor G. Fennessy, NJAA; John Russell, Todd Lorah and Sara the Bed Bug Dog, Action Termite & Pest Control

FACULTY

Conor G. Fennessy serves as the Vice President of Government Affairs for the New Jersey Apartment Association. He regularly testifies before the state Legislature on issues affecting housing policy in our state, coordinates NJAA’s grassroots Legislative Site Visit program, and manages the Apartment Association’s Political Action Committee (NJAA PAC). Conor has also participated in various panel discussions on housing, land use, and economic development policy issues before the US Environmental Protection Agency, NJ State League of Municipalities Conference, New Jersey Future’s Annual Redevelopment Conference, the American Planning Association – NJ Chapter’s Annual Planning Conference, the NJ Attorney General’s Office/Division on Civil Rights Fair Housing Conference, as well as NJAA’s Annual Conference & Expo. Before joining the NJAA in 2003, Conor worked in politics and government for over a decade. He spent two years in Washington, DC, as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill, and since returning to New Jersey in 1997 has worked for two Governors, an Assembly Speaker, and two Senate Presidents. His most recent service in the Governor’s Office was as a senior staff member to Governor Donald DiFrancesco.

Speaker also Presenting:
Legislative Update 2010 From Trenton & Washington: Legislative, Regulatory & Federal Issues Round-Up

John Russell is the CEO of Action Termite and Pest Control.  For more than 20 years, John has been building Action Termite and Pest Control into one of the largest privately owned pest control companies in New Jersey.  In early 2007, John began to develop Action's Bed Bug Control Division with the initial purchase of a certified bed bug dog trained at the Florida Canine Academy by Master Trainer Bill Whitstine.  Today, Action offers bed bug detection services in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.  With 3 Bed Bug Dogs, Sara, Rex and Cassie, (and another on the way) John has developed the most trusted bed bug dog team in the tri-state area.  In addition to bed bug dog detection services, John has developed a team of highly trained professionals to lead Action’s bed bug control division.  By introducing a multi-tier program which includes a chemical application, a steam treatment, and including the bed bug dog inspections, Action is helping multi-family housing structures and property managers curtail the rise of bed bug infestation. John has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, the Chicago Tribune, Press of Atlantic City, Atlantic Monthly, Philadelphia Star Ledger, WPIX NY, Philadelphia Daily News, and KYW Philadelphia.

Todd Lorah began his career by proudly serving his country in the US Navy.  During Operation Desert Storm, Todd excelled as a communications and intelligence specialist aboard the USS America aircraft carrier.  Todd entered the pest control industry in 1995 and has seen many sides of the industry including being a commercial applicator, an account executive, the management of an Animal Control Division and project manager.  Todd’s considerable knowledge within the pest control industry has led him to opportunities in faraway places such as the Republic of Ireland and the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa.  Todd regularly conducts community education sessions within the housing and hospitality industry and feels strongly that through education and following the Integrated Pest Management protocols, an upper hand on bed bug infestations globally is possible.


Action Termite and Pest Control’s Sara the Bed Bug Dog is arguably the most known and loved bed bug detection canine in the United States.  Sara was rescued from a Florida animal shelter and trained by Master Trainer Bill Whitstine of the Florida Canine Academy.  Sara was given over 800 hours of training and certified as a bed bug detection canine.  In January 2007, Sara made Action Termite and Pest Control her new home.  Over the course of the next few years and into today, Sara was joined by Rex and Cassie, both certified as well.  Sara has completed bed bug inspections at hotels, apartments, residential homes, nursing homes, theatres, housing authorities and many more places where her incredible expertise is needed.  From New York to Philly and all over New Jersey, Sara has helped curtail the rise of infestation.   Sara has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, the Chicago Tribune, Press of Atlantic City, Atlantic Monthly, Philadelphia Star Ledger, WPIX NY, Philadelphia Daily News, and KYW Philadelphia.

Session Counts as 1 Continuing Education Credit (CEC)

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