VDACS Update

Meet the Office of Pesticide Services (OPS)

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Pesticide Services (OPS) administers the Virginia Pesticide Control Act and Regulations Pursuant to the Act. In other words, we regulate pesticides and the people who use them. To ensure the proper use of pesticides, we certify pesticide applicators, license pesticide businesses, register pesticide products and conduct both routine inspections and complaint investigations. And while you should call OPS with any questions, the question really is, who in the office should I call? The key to finding the right person is to find the program area first, for example, Certification, Licensing, Registration & Training, and find the topic and OPS Staff person to call. To help answer that question and to get you to the right person the first time, contact information for OPS is provided below. Updated information is also available on our website.

At various times throughout the year, we receive a high volume of calls. While we strive to answer every call, there are times when we areassisting another caller. The best thing to do is to leave a messagewith the right person! We will return your call as soon as possible.Email is encouraged as it allows staff the opportunity to researchinformation and provide a response in writing. We will respond as soonas possible whether contacted by phone or email. If you are unsure whoto contact, inquiries can be emailed to:opsclrt.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov

ADMINISTRATION

Liza Fleeson Trossbach, Program Manager

Phone – 804.371.6559

Fax – 804.371.2283

liza.fleeson@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Jeff Rogers, Special Programs, Pesticide Disposal, Container Recycling, Pollinator Protection

Phone – 804.371.6561

Fax – 804.786.9149

jeffrey.rogers@vdacs.virginia.gov

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CERTIFICATION, LICENSING REGISTRATION AND TRAINING

Micah Raub, Unit Supervisor

Phone – 804.786.4845

Fax – 804.786.9149

micah.raub@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Cynthia Clark, Commercial Applicator Certification

Phone – 804.371.0152

Fax – 804.786.9149

cynthia.clark@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Kimberly Thompson, Registered Technician Certification

Phone – 804.371.0873

Fax – 804.786.9149

kimberly.thompson@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Joan Hammond, Private Applicator Certification

Phone – 804.371.0209

Fax – 804.786.9149

joan.hammond@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Reba Gilliam, Product Registration

Phone – 804.786.1025

Fax – 804.786.9149

reba.gilliam@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Alanna Ostrowski, Business Licensing

Phone – 804.225.2223

Fax – 804.786.9149

alanna.ostrowski@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Tonita Clark, Re-certification Courses

Phone – 804.786.0685

Fax – 804.786.9149

tonita.clark@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Marlene Larios, Worker Protection

Phone – 804.786.8934

Fax – 804.786.9149

marlene.larios@vdacs.virginia.gov

COMPLIANCE

Christine Wang Trostler, Compliance Officer

Phone – 804.371.8485

Fax – 804.371.2283

christine.trostler@vdacs.virginia.gov

ENFORCEMENT & FIELD OPERATIONS

Clint Shettle, Unit Supervisor

Phone – 804.786.8943

Fax – 804.371.2283

clinton.shettle@vdacs.virginia.gov

INVESTIGATORS

Anton Goodwyn, Chesapeake, Greensville, Prince George and area

Phone – 757.406.2502

Fax – 804.371.2283

anton.goodwyn@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Rodney Knight, Eastern Shore/Virginia Beach/Norfolk

Phone – 757.999.4084

Fax – 804.371.2283

rodrickus.knight@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Ryan Rutherford, Loudon, Prince William, King George and area

Phone – 540.236.8013

Fax – 804.371.2283

ryan.rutherford@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Robert Christian, Newport News, Northumberland, Caroline and area

Phone – 757.334.3966

Fax – 804.371.2283

robert.christian@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Debbie Brown, Augusta, Frederick, Highland, Cumberland and area

Phone – 540.830.1547

Fax – 804.371.2283

debbie.brown@vdacs.virginia.gov

Vincent “Mike” Abston, Prince Edward, Pittsylvania, Brunswick and area

Phone – 434.941.5094

Fax – 804.371.2283

vincent.abston@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Dylan Payne, City of Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico

Phone – 804.912.3017

Fax – 804.371.2283

dylan.payne@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Charles Magolda, Roanoke, Floyd, Bath, Amherst and area

Phone – 540.580.3456

Fax – 540.562.3649

charles.magolda@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Tom Burke, Fauquier, Loudoun, King George, Goochland and area

Phone – 540.222.1022

Fax – 804.371.2283

tom.burke@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Jim Atwell, Wythe, Lee, Giles, Henry and area

Phone – 276.223.2434

Fax – 276.228.6579

james.atwell@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Gonzalo Ortiz Ulloa, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria and Manassas

Phone – 571.271.4064

Fax – 804.371.2283

gonzalo.ulloa@vdacs.virginia.gov

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Finally, a couple of reminders:

• Pesticide Business Licenses Expire March 31 – Your business license is valid for 1 year and expires on March 31 every year. While we do send all businesses a renewal notice as a courtesy, it is the businesses’ responsibility to maintain their pesticide business license. If a business applies a pesticide without a current pesticide business license, they are in violation of Virginia’s laws and regulations and subject to enforcement action. When in doubt, look at your license for the expiration date.

• Check Certification Cards for Expiration Date, Category Recertification Date(s) and Correct Employer and Address – Your certificate is valid for 2 years and expires on June 30 of a given year. Renewing your certification is a TWO STEP PROCESS, requires recertification credits AND submission of a complete application and fee. While we do send all pesticide applicators a renewal notice as courtesy, it is the applicator’s responsibility to maintain your certification. If a pesticide applicator applies a pesticide without a current certification, they are in violation of Virginia’s laws and regulations and subject to enforcement action. As with a business license, when in doubt about when your certificate expires, look at your certificate.

• Recertification Opportunities – For a list of approved recertification courses visit www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/recertcourses.pdf.

• The Label is the Law – Read and follow the label. Enough said!

• Unregistered Pesticides – The Virginia Pesticide Control Act requires that “…every pesticide manufactured, distributed, sold, offered for sale, used or offered for use…” be registered. Check your storage for unregistered pesticides. Pesticide registrations must be renewed annually. If you’re unsure whether a pesticide is currently registered visit: www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticide-product-registration.shtml NOTE: Initial pesticide business licenses and certificates may have shorter durations depending on when they were issued during the licensing or certification cycle. Please refer to the license or certificate you received to verify the expiration date.

Don’t forget, in addition to OPS Staff, there is a wealth of information on our website including a list of approved recertification courses, application forms, etc. Check us out at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticides.shtml.