Florida CPCO Leader Dies

TAMARAC, Fla. — Mel Edelstein, former executive vice president, Certified Pest Control Operators Association of Florida (CPCO), died of a heart attack at his home in Sunrise, Fla., Wednesday night. He was 59.

After years as owner of AIM Pest Control, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Edelstein felt a need for increased representation of the pest control industry in his state and in 1994 helped establish the Certified Pest Control Operators Association of Florida (CPCO). The move was a risky one considering Florida already had a strong association — the Florida Pest Control Association (FPCA). However, since its founding, CPCO has grown from 10 founding members to one of the largest state associations in the nation with more than 1,900 members.

Through Edelstein’s leadership, CPCO became a leading lobbyist for the industry among Florida regulators and legislators.

“Mel made so many contacts with regulators and legislators that he knew what political issues we (PCOs) in Florida were going to be facing way before they came down the pike,” said CPCO of Florida President Richard Meahl.

New CPCO of Florida Executive Vice President Norm Smith, who served as Edelstein’s assistant for four years, said Edelstein always strived to improve the pest control industry in Florida, whether it be via offering CEU courses or involvement in community projects. For example, in 2001, members of CPCO of Florida spent Independence Day fumigating the First Step Adolescent Services House, a non-profit halfway house for troubled adolescent girls.

“Mel was constantly seeking change for the good,” Smith said.  “His legacy was to make the pest control industry better.”

In 2000, Edelstein played an important role in combining four of Florida’s pest control associations into a new organization, the Florida Professional Applicators Alliance, for the purpose of presenting a unified voice for the industry to regulators and legislators in the state.

In 2000, Edelstein was recognized by PCT magazine as one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Industry.

Edelstein is survived by his wife, Carole and two daughters, Lara and Lindsay.  All condolences may be sent directly to Carole Edelstein, 3190 NW 93rd Avenue, Sunrise, FL  33351.

Donations may be made to Temple Kol Ami, 8200 Peters Road, Plantation, FL, 33324, (954) 472-8700.  Please do not send flowers.  You may contact any Jewish Federation to plant a tree in Israel in Edelstein's name.

Donations are also being accepted for the Mel Edelstein Foundation and should be mailed to CPCO of Florida, 6635 W Commercial Blvd, Suite 201, Tamarac  Florida  33319.

The author is Managing Editor of Pest Control Technology magazine and can be reached at bharbison@gie.net.