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California Department of Pesticide Regulation NEWS

Media Contact: Lea Brooks
916-445-3974 | Lea.Brooks@cdpr.ca.gov
January 18, 2012 (12-2)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DPR ONLINE BULLETIN

This informal, online bulletin from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) appears periodically. Our goal is to keep interested parties up to date on practical information, regulatory developments, and other announcements.

“FROM THE DIRECTOR” COLUMN
Chief Deputy Director Chris Reardon gives a progress report on three projects that received Pest Management Alliance Grants in 2009 to encourage applications for the 2012-13 funding cycle. The deadline for concepts is Feb. 6.

DPR ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES ANNOUNCED
Chief Deputy Reardon has announced the following changes to the department’s management team, effective Feb. 1:

  • DAVID DUNCAN, currently chief of Pest Management and Licensing, will become chief of Environmental Monitoring. David has a bachelor’s of science degree in plant science from the University of California, Riverside. He started working for DPR in 1981 when it was part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
  • GEORGE FARNSWORTH, currently acting chief of Worker Health and Safety, will become chief of Enforcement. George has a bachelor’s of science degree in crop science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and has worked for DPR since 1992.
  • NAN GORDER, currently chief of Enforcement, will become chief of Pest Management and Licensing. Nan has a doctorate in entomology from University of California, Berkeley. She started working for DPR in 1990 when it was still part of CDFA.
  • JOHN SANDERS, currently chief of Environmental Monitoring, will become chief of Worker Health and Safety. John has a doctorate in plant pathology from North Carolina State University. He started working for DPR in 1986 when it was still part of CDFA.
  • SUE EDMISTON, former chief of Worker Health and Safety, retired in December after 34 years with DPR.

VEDA FEDERIGHI RETIRES, PAUL VERKE HIRED AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OUTREACH AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Paul comes to DPR from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where he worked as an information officer beginning in 2008. Paul has 20 years of experience in writing, editing, outreach, social media, video production and photography. From 1994 to 2008, he was communications director for the Department of Developmental Services and earlier worked for the Department of Food and Agriculture’s Marketing Branch. He started Jan. 9. Veda retired in December.

PREC MEETING CANCELED
Our Pesticide Registration and Evaluation Committee’s Jan. 20 meeting has been canceled. The next meeting is scheduled on Friday, March 16.

PMAC MEETING SCHEDULED
Our Pest Management Advisory Committee will meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9. The meeting will be Webcast. The agenda includes a discussion on DPR’s proposed budget increase to fund fumigant alternatives research products; and updates on DPR’s regulatory efforts;

APCAC MEETING SCHEDULED
Our Agricultural Pest Control Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 9:30 a.m. in Sacramento. Agenda items include an update on DPR’s volatile organic compound regulations.

DPR NOW OFFERS RSS FEEDS
If you are a follower of social media, keep up with the latest news at DPR by subscribing to RSS – Really Simple Syndication.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR SCHOOL IPM WORKSHOPS
Workshops scheduled in Chico (March 21), Carlsbad (April 11) and Tulare (June 21).

FINES AND SETTLEMENTS
Product compliance fines and settlements from July to September 2011 are listed.

One of five departments and boards within the California Environmental Protection Agency, DPR regulates the registration, sale and use of pesticides to protect people and the environment. Additional information about DPR is posted at www.cdpr.ca.gov.

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