The Pest Detection Management Team (PDMT) and the National CAPS Committee (NCC) would like to announce the selection of Adrian Barta, and as a team, Dan Mackesy and Heather Moylett, for 2018 CAPS Recognition. These individuals were nominated by their peers, and are recognized for their exemplary activities and achievement above and beyond their normal duties in support of the CAPS Program and the CAPS community.
‘State Survey Coordinator,Wisconsin Department of Agriculture,Trade and Consumer Protection,Nominated by Kelly Estes on behalf of the SSCs in the CPB States’,
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Adrian has provided continued excellence and commitment to the CAPS program in Wisconsin, as well as nationally, for many years. Adrian is well respected personally and professionally within the CAPS community. Over the years, despite change in the CAPS program and within his state, he remains a consistent and positive person. Not only does he have a vast knowledge of the CAPS program and pest detection operations, he readily shares this knowledge with his colleagues. His State Survey Coordinator counterparts know that they can count on him to provide useful comments or advice at meetings or on conference calls. He never hesitates to help other survey coordinators out when asked. When they seek advice on surveys or specific pests, he shares his own survey experiences and provides insight on what he has learned to help them better their own programs.
Adrian continues to be an invaluable asset to the CAPS program. Art Wagner, Pest Survey Specialist for Wisconsin summarizes it well, “He believes sincerely in the importance of pest detection and the positive impact his work has on Wisconsin agriculture. He always takes his responsibilities seriously and has the patience and understanding to navigate the sometimes uneasy waters of Federal and State perspectives and missions. He keeps a positive attitude without losing site of the overall goal, combining our resources and expertise to provide better plant pest survey than either agency could accomplish on their own. It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with Adrian and I whole-heartedly endorse any effort to recognize his contributions to the CAPS program.” It is evident his service to the CAPS community goes beyond the everyday responsibilities, and should be recognized for it.
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‘Biological Science Technicians,USDA-APHIS-PPQ, CPHST CAPS Support,Nominated by John Bowers; Lisa Jackson; and Rick Zink’ ,
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In January 2017, Lisa Jackson and Melinda Sullivan of the Science & Technology CPHST CAPS Support Team, with over 20 years of combined experience, left S&T for well-deserved National Operations Manager positions in Field Operations. This created a significant void in the ability of the CAPS Program to deliver science-based pest lists, approved survey methodology, pest datasheets, and other science-based facets of the CAPS Program that support surveys for exotic pests. Dan Mackesy and Heather Moylett, working as technicians with Melinda and Lisa, respectively, were suddenly thrust into the forefront, took on lead roles, and became the faces of science for the CAPS Program. Each accepted a temporary promotion to continue the work of the CPHST CAPS Support Unit, and did an outstanding job of ‘upping their game’ and taking on the added responsibilities that Lisa and Melinda undertook for many years. The more remarkable accomplishment, however, was that once the 120 day temporary promotion ended and Heather and Dan returned to their original positions, is that they both maintained a high level of leadership and scientific support for the CAPS Program, even at the lower grade. Where once there were four people with the scientific support responsibility, now there was two performing at a high level to accomplish Program goals.
Over the past year, Dan assumed a lead role in many areas, and in particular was the lead scientist for plant pathogens, weeds, and mollusks. Dan did an excellent job of dealing with dayto-day needs of the Program, fielding questions from our State cooperators, completing pest data sheets with risk maps, and accomplished his share of preparing the Approved Methods for Pest Surveillance, Priority Pest List, Host Matrix, and other science facets of the National Pest Surveillance Guidelines.
After less than one year with the Program, Heather assumed a lead role as the acting scientist for arthropods. During the year, Heather was responsible for providing arthropod analysis, trap and lure development, and approved methods development for CAPS arthropod pests. She also was responsible for working with the staff at Purdue to update the Approved Methods for Pest Surveillance pages on the CAPS Resource & Collaboration website for the National Pest Surveillance Guidelines. Additionally, Heather organized the bimonthly Objective Prioritization of Exotic Pests (OPEP) model calls in collaboration with the PERAL lab in Raleigh that was instrumental in keeping the communication channels open.
Dan and Heather both have been tremendous collaborators, provided critical support to both the CAPS Program and to cooperators in the states, indispensable through a time of transition, and tremendous assets for the Program and the Pest Detection Management Team. They are well deserving of this award for answering the call of duty and performing well above their level of responsibility.
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Congratulations, Adrian, Dan, and Heather!
The CAPS Recognition Award consists of a Pest Detection silver coin (highly prized and somewhat rare). Adrian, Dan, and Heather will be publically recognized at the 2018 National Plant Board Awards Banquet in Cleveland, Ohio.
The National Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program wishes to recognize outstanding activities and achievements by members of the CAPS community, including State Survey Coordinators, Pest Survey Specialists, State Plant Regulatory Officials, State Plant Health Directors, and other individuals and groups. These individuals or groups (which may include additional cooperators) shall be nominated for work done in support of Pest Detection activities and the CAPS community, accomplished in the previous calendar year..
Next year at this time we will be announcing CAPS Recognition awardees for activities and achievements accomplished during 2018. Be aware of the work and distinctions that set your SPHD, SPRO, PSS, SSC, or other individuals and groups apart from the rest, and nominate them for CAPS Recognition next year. More detail appears in the CAPS Recognition and CAPS Recognition Nomination Form documents, and in the National Pest Surveillance Guidelines on the CAPS Resource & Collaboration website. The next call for nominations will go out in January 2019.