INVORA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Product Development Manager
Expertise: Innovation, new product development and digital solutions in pest management.
Alex Ko drives new digital and chemistry solutions from concept to market launch. He supports innovation and development of insecticide baits, dusts and sprays.
Ko is passionate about data science and mobile application development. He programmed his own insect recognition mobile app and pest management reference guide.
Ko earned his Ph.D. in entomology from North Carolina State University where he studied German cockroach behavior and insecticide resistance for his dissertation. He is a passionate rock climber and mountaineer.
Job Titles:
- Great Plains Stewardship Manager
Case is a true advocate for land care, and the resident range and pasture expert. His commitment to stewardship and his agronomy acumen drives the team's focus on developing best-in-class practices and solutions across all portfolios. Case holds a Ph.D. in Weed Science with a minor in soil science from Mississippi State University. Additionally, he earned a Bachelor and a Master of Science in Agronomy from Oklahoma State University.
Job Titles:
- Product Development Manager
Chenxi is focused on developing innovative product solutions in North America and globally for the Turf & Ornamentals market. He holds a Ph.D. in Crop Science with an emphasis on plant physiology from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China.
Job Titles:
- VM Stewardship and Development Manager
Dave is a leader and an innovator, responsible for developing new ideas and stewarding existing products in the VM business. His goal is to always be looking ahead to make Envu VM professionals stewardship leaders - not followers. Dave holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Agronomy from Pennsylvania State University. He earned his doctorate in crop science from North Carolina State University, specializing in grass biology, physiology and plant growth regulators.
Job Titles:
- Field Solutions Scientist for Envu ES
Dr. Patrick Burgess is a Field Solutions Scientist for Envu ES currently driving product development and cooperator engagement in the Northeast US. Patrick received his bachelor's degree and doctorate from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, specializing in plant stress physiology and plant-environment interactions. Prior to joining Envu, Patrick managed one of the largest plant physiology labs headed by Dr. Bingru Huang and also served as an instructor of plant stress physiology and growth regulators in the Rutgers Professional Turf Management Program. In addition to contributing to or authoring several dozen manuscripts, Patrick was also the recipient of the 2018 Musser Award of Excellence, which is the premier award given to a young scholar of turf science annually.
Job Titles:
- Head of Professional Pest Management
Expertise: Leadership, industry trends in pest management and business management.
A strong leader with a proven track record, Gokhan Vergon leads the Pest Management and Public Health business into the future.
Prior to his current role, Vergon established and led the Southeast Europe, Middle East and Africa region of Envu Environmental Science. His leadership inspired and motivated the team to achieve sustainable growth across the region.
Vergon was also the head of the East Mediterranean region for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. His team helped countries in their fight against deadly diseases such as malaria and dengue by providing innovative solutions and increasing their technical capacity. Vergon earned an MBA from San Diego State University.
Job Titles:
- Western Stewardship Manager
Harry is a trailblazer and the quintessential thought leader. Whether developing a new herbicide patent or implementing innovative product development projects, he isn't afraid to go ahead with new ideas to protect our rangeland and forests. Harry studied forest science at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and earned his Master's and Doctorate degrees in Economics and Forest Science from Auburn University.
Job Titles:
- Area Sales Manager, South Florida and Caribbean
Expertise: Industry trends, innovation, growth and business operations in pest management.
James Cooksey helps his customers grow through the use of quality products that deliver exceptional control of target pests. He also assists pest control operators with efforts to train their teams, consults with owners on their visions for growth, and shares best practices to improve business operations.
Cooksey is passionate about innovation in pest management and the future of the industry. He grew up in a family pest control business in Florida and has developed his expertise through multiple experiences in the industry. Previously, Cooksey served as a distribution representative in Southeast Florida where he learned what drives value as a partner for growth.
Cooksey also serves as a Commander in the Florida Army National Guard, were he assists in protecting the citizens of Florida in time of tragedy and serving the orders of the governor of the state. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Wheaton College.
Job Titles:
- Green Solutions Team Specialist, Ornamentals
Jane provides technical support and expertise for greenhouse and nursery growers. She has more than 10 years of technical experience in the ornamentals industry. Jane previously served in a range of leadership roles at Saunders Brothers, a wholesale nursery in Virginia where she implemented key strategies to improve business operations. Stanley earned her Master's degree in horticulture science at Pennsylvania State University.
Job Titles:
- Eastern Regional Stewardship Manager
Jason never settles for the status quo. Rather, he's out in the field testing the latest and greatest advancements in the VM industry, constantly developing and invigorating the Envu vegetation management portfolio. Jason is an active member of multiple vegetation management associations across the country, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Science, a Master of Science in Weed Science and Turfgrass Management and a Doctorate in Weed Science from Auburn University.
Job Titles:
- Technical Market Development Manager
Expertise: Ant control, bedbugs and general pest management.
Matthew Remmen is an entomologist with expertise across all facets of pest management. He has extensive experience controlling bedbugs, termites and ants.
Remmen is particularly skilled in training and educating pest control professionals and technicians on best practices. He has been an instructor with the University of Florida for more than 10 years where he trains the next generation of pest management professionals.
Remmen earned both his bachelor's degree and his master's degree in entomology from the University of Florida. In his spare time, he enjoys growing mangoes, fishing and hunting.
Job Titles:
- Senior Scientist - Field Development
Expertise: Best practices for controlling German cockroaches, rodents, bedbugs and stored product pests.
Sally Abbar is responsible for new product and concept development in the Southeast region. She is an entomologist with extensive experience across pest management. Abbar specializes in both nonchemical and chemical control methods for urban and stored product pests.
Previously, Abbar was a postdoctoral research associate at Rutgers University where she investigated the management of bedbugs, German cockroaches and house mice in multiunit housing. She was also a postdoctoral fellow at Kansas State University where she studied the management of stored product pests.
Abbar earned her Ph.D. in entomology at Kansas State University and her Master of Science in entomology from Ferdowsi University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, singing and art.
Job Titles:
- Stewardship Manager, Upper Plains / Shannon
is always thinking about the big picture and what lies ahead. As a dedicated weed scientist, she understands the difficulties ranchers and land managers face in controlling invasive weeds. She loves helping them solve their toughest weed problems so they can restore their land for generations to come. Shannon holds a Ph.D. in weed science and a master's degree in agriculture from Colorado State University.
Job Titles:
- Field Development Representative
Sheryl Wells, Ph.D., is a Field Development Representative for Envu in the Southeastern region. She is responsible for coordinating field and greenhouse trials with university and private cooperators in a five state territory including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi. Prior to joining Envu, Sheryl was an Extension Specialist at University of Georgia with an appointment in Landscape Water Management/Ornamental Horticulture Pollution Prevention. Sheryl has 14 years of experience in golf, working her way up through the ranks to golf course superintendent. Sheryl also has experience in lawncare maintenance and ornamental production. She has a Ph.D. from Auburn University, Agronomy and Soils.
Job Titles:
- Green Solutions Team Specialist
Todd provides southern warm-season turfgrass management expertise. Todd has a Master of Science degree from Clemson University in Horticulture, a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida and was an Agronomist for the United States Golf Association for 18 years before joining Envu.
Job Titles:
- Green Solutions Team Specialist
Zac is dedicated to developing science-based solutions for customers managing cool-season turfgrass, specializing in weed control for customers in the western half of the U.S. Zac is a former Turfgrass Specialist at Purdue University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy/Turfgrass Science from Purdue University and a Master of Science in Horticulture/Turfgrass Science from Iowa State University.