Meet the Staff

VP, Associate Certified Entomologist, Master Technician

Travis Aggson

Travis Aggson currently serves as Executive Vice President for American Pest Management, Inc., Manhattan, KS, and Co-Founder of American Services International, Inc. He started in the pest control industry as a “go-fer” for a termite crew in Concordia, KS when he was 14 years old. He is a 1999 graduate of Kansas State University and has worked in the Pest Control Industry for over 29 years. He has traveled to Haiti twice with NPMA’s Help Haiti Mission, has served as President and other Board Positions on the Kansas Pest Control Association, on the Board of Directors for the National Pest Management Association and has chaired the Marketing to Membership Committee and Technical Committee. Travis is was recently named the 2019 Associate Certified Entomologist Professional Award Winner for contributions made to the Pest Management Industry. Travis enjoys traveling with his wife Jenny, and 3 children, Connor, Maverick, and Cameryn. They have a family goal of visiting all of the inner 48 by the time each one graduates high school. (Saving Alaska and Hawaii for special occasions) Travis also has a goal to watch a game in all of the Major League Baseball Stadiums, 23 so far. He enjoys live theatre (especially if his children are starring in the production), attending any K-State Sporting Events, and Scuba Diving.

Wichita Regional Manager

Peggy Avilez

The voice on the end of the phone line at APM’s Wichita branch belongs to Peggy Avilez. She loves talking with her clients, both old and new, and answering their questions; to her, they are more like friends than customers. She attacks her job with both enthusiasm and mirth as she loves her job. Not everyone can say that about their job and she takes pride in that. She enjoys all-new adventures at APM -she fills several roles – Regional Manager, service technician, and CSR when needed. She is a certified technician by the State of Kansas, holding several certifications.

When Peggy isn’t answering phones, scheduling appointments, keeping her technicians in line, she can be found in her quilt/stained glass studio at home. She and her husband have turned their garage into a huge double-car hobby room where a 12-foot quilting machine is housed. She quilts for others as well as herself. Peggy is a mother of three daughters and added another son and daughter when she married her husband, Don. Together they have a grandson, three granddaughters, (for the children that do not have kids, they claim 5 grand tortoises, grand kitties and grand dogs to add to the family). They enjoy traveling, laughing, bowling, hiking, and playing with their grandchildren. She loves life and tries to live it to the fullest.

Certified Technician

Joseph Bissonnette

Joe Bissonnette has been a certified pest control technician with American Pest Management since 2014. I service Junction City and the surrounding area. I am born and raised in Junction City and have lived here nearly my whole life. Working for American Pest Management, primarily in my community, is a way I feel that I can give back to the place I call home.

Customer Service Representative

Laurie Cox

After working in the customer service industry from a young age in many facets such as telemarketing, local swimming pools, the restaurant industry, retail, and the county government, becoming an account specialist and customer service representative at American Pest Management was a natural fit for Laurie.

Laurie started her college career at Middle Tennessee State University but was eventually drawn back to her roots in Manhattan to complete her education as a Kansas State Wildcat. After taking a leap of faith in her career path, she landed with American Pest Management in November of 2015 and couldn’t be happier. She has received her commercial pest control applicator’s certification and continues to learn new aspects of the pest control industry each day. Laurie appreciates the family atmosphere this company has to offer. When she’s not “making their clients smile” at APM, Laurie enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and their dog. They can often be found at the lake either boating or camping or country cruising visiting with “neighbors”.

Clay Center Regional Manager

Dave Gonser

Dave Gonser, Clay Center regional manager has served on the Clay Center Rural Fire Department for the past 41 years. He has been a member of the department since graduating high school in 1980. Since starting his career in the pest control industry, he has enjoyed meeting new people and not just calling them clients, but friends and family. Dave is excepted to be apart of a great team that continues to grow and develop new territories.

His family is doing well and they just had an addition, a Golden Doodle named Sophie. Everyone loves her. Outside of work, Dave and his wife, Nancy, love to watch anything their grandkids are involved in.

Operations Manager

Darren Grant

I have been with American Pest Management since December of 2014. I worked in the restaurant business for 20 years prior to taking my position as a technician here. Since being with APM I have moved up from technician to supervisor and since April of 2021 have taken the position of Operations Manager. I am currently living in Wamego Ks with my wife and 2 children. My daughter keeps us busy with tennis in the fall and track in the spring. My son plays golf in the Spring. My success at APM would not be possible without the support of both of my wife and children but also the support of my APM family. When we have time my family loves to spend time at the lake or my son and I go out and play a round or two. Being able to have the time with my family was the main reason I started with APM and now it is one of the perks. Working with the team we have and in the industry of pest control is rewarding on its own.

VP - Employee Engagement

Joey Hoke

Hi, I am Joey with American Pest Management, Inc. I have been a team member with APM for over 14 years. Over that time I have held a number of positions. My career at APM began as a pest management technician focusing on residential and commercial clients. I helped APM design one of the first preventative bed bug programs in the United States. We have since trademarked the service and it is now known as Bed Bug PROActive. Next, I was promoted to Technical Director where I was responsible for choosing the products we use for our quarterly programs and making sure our technicians were trained to the highest standards. Today I am the VP – Employee Engagement and I am helping guide the growth of American Pest Management toward our goal of becoming a top 100 pest control company in the US.

I earned my Associate Certified Entomologist certification from the Entomological Society of
America, my Master Technician designation from the Kansas Pest Control Association, and was recognized as National Technician of the Year in 2017. I am a graduate of Kansas State University with a BS in Social Science and have also completed the Management/Marketing program at the Manhattan Area Vocational/Technical School.

Inside Salesperson/Finance

Vicky Marstall

Vicky Marstall currently serves as an Inside Salesperson/Finance for American Pest Management. She was a Customer Service Representative for 5 years before she moved into sales. She is a 2002 graduate of Manhattan Area Technical College, where she obtained her Associates degree in Business and Computer Technology. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids and her dog. If she is not with family, she enjoys reading, coloring and listening to music.

Certified Technician

Zach Messick

Certified Technician

Tyler Mitchell

Hello, I’m Tyler. I’ve been with American Pest Management since 2015 and I am loving it. Before I stepped into this company if you would have asked me what a pest technician is my first thought would have been those guys you saw in movies with the big orange jumpsuit and space-like tank apparatuses, well was I wrong. There is so much more to the pest industry than I could have ever imagined and there’s is always so much more to learn and experience! I never would have imagined myself in this field or have the role that I’m in. However, now I’m not sure I could see myself out of it. Having the opportunity to make a difference in so many people’s lives by providing them with incomparable service and educating them about a world so many people know so little about is, has been, and will continue to be an amazing place in our world for me.

Outside of work some of my passions are being able to spend time with my friends and family. Sports is a huge part of my life, from baseball all the way to wrestling. I own a few motorcycles and there’s nothing like having the wind in your face on an open road with no destination in mind. I am looking forward to meeting you!

General Manager

Doug Nold

Ask his friends and co-workers, he’s “just Doug” (only his mom or his wife calls him Douglas when he is in trouble). After many stops in his career path: working while going to Evergreen High School (in Colorado) as a short-order cook, and becoming a landscape assistant, he graduated high school in 1990 and enlisted in the United States Army. After eight years was medically retired as an E5 Sargent, he became a corrections officer for the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Department, then a ground line foreman for Osmose utility services.

In September of 2002, Doug found American Pest Management and a new family to grow and learn with for the past 18 years. When Doug is not “working” he enjoys cooking, shooting, fishing/hunting, boating with family and friends, and watching his 2 boys Dallas & Hunter grow up into adults with lives of their own, trying to help them succeed. And Liliauna, watching her grow and participate in her activities sports, school, friends all with his wife of 25 years, Kennetta.

Executive Sales Associate

Kennetta Nold

Kennetta grew up in Onaga KS and then went on to graduate from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Finance. Kennetta started out with APM as a pest control technician, then moved to office manager. She has since worked her way to sales executive for a total of 16 years with the company. Even though she does not go out in the feild as much she still enjoys being able to help clients over the phone and getting to know them.

Kennetta is married with 3 kids, Dallas, Hunter, and Liliauna. Kennetta lives on a small farm with a variety of animals. When not at work you will find her at sporting events or with the animals.

Certified Technician

Joseph Schultz

Joseph is a 2006 graduate of Barton County Community College and worked as a maintenance tech for 10 years prior to joining the American Pest Family. He loves the family atmosphere the company provides and enjoys the team during and outside of work. He enjoys his job because of the clients.

If you address him, he will answer to Joe, or Joseph. Two things to know about him are that you can find him at about every Kansas State Wildcat sporting event (he bleeds purple), and he has a big appetite … so if you hear stories about food consumption, most of them are true!

Office Manager

Jane Shirack

Jane Shirack is the office manager at American Pest Management. Her children, grandchildren, and family are her life. She grew up with 8 siblings on a farm and loves nature, especially birds and trees. That’s one reason why she lives on a few acres 30 minutes north of Manhattan. From her living room she has a beautiful view where she can watch wildlife and their 3 horses that frequent a spring-fed, crystal clear creek 600 feet from their house. Her husband, Tom, is a superintendent of construction and does various projects within the state. Jane has two sons who gave her two super sweet daughters-in-law and 4 grandchildren that range from 26 years to 33 months. She spends most of her spare time with them.

Even though she prefers outdoors, she has always worked indoors professionally and held office positions in accounting, payroll, and management. There weren’t any electronics mentioned in her childhood, but she did have a record player! She loves music, math, science, organizing things and creating spreadsheets. She has always lived in Kansas and is a Chiefs, Royals and Wildcats fan.

Certified Technician

AJ Simpson

AJ Simpson is a man that comes from the small community of Abilene, Kansas. Growing up in a small town, there wasn’t much to do, so theater and golf are where most of his time was spent. By the age of 16, AJ had taken his love and interest in theater and acting to a new perspective and got involved in a local haunted house. This soon developed into a love for all things scary and spooky, as well as special effects. In 2010, graduation came along and he had yet to decide what career path he wanted to take on.

For the next five years, he spent his time learning a new trait in the electrical field, rewiring and remanufacturing electrical transformers. He has since joined the team and family that is American Pest Management. On the side, AJ has furthered his skills in special effects and character creation through online courses from Stan Winston’s school for character arts. He enjoys anything with the arts and being a make-up artist in his spare time.

Certified Technician

Monica Tharp

Bio coming soon

Tech Supervisor/ Master Technician

Derek Winter

Derek Winter has been a technician at American Pest Management since February of 2009. In June 2012 Derek became a supervisor and in 2019 he became Technical Director for American Pest Management. In 2019 Derek earned the associate certified entomologist designation through the Entomological Society of America. He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Kansas State University in December 2008. Throughout his career at American Pest Management he has earned the following awards: Tech of the year in 2014, Mastertech, and the UDA man award.

Derek has been an assistant high school football coach for 21 years. When not at work, Derek enjoys spending time with his wife, three daughters, and son. He also enjoys attending Kansas State football games and is a lifelong Chiefs fan.

Certified Technician

Arturo “Art” Martinez

Arturo, who goes by either Arturo or Art, grew up in Hutchinson, KS. In his spare time, Arturo likes fishing, watching K-State football, baseball and relaxing with his wife. He moved to Manhattan in 2018 and began his journey with American Pest Management. Art is bilingual and enjoys helping APM’s Spanish speaking client’s receive the knowledge and quality service American Pest Management has to
offer.

Executive Assistant

Brooke Black

Brooke currently serves as the Executive Assistant for American Pest Management. She has been with the company since January 2018 and was hired a couple of years after graduating high school. She was a manager for football, wrestling, and baseball in school and met other American Pest Management members through the sporting events. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family & friends, boating, reading, traveling, and exploring music.

Certified Technician

Andrew Hartloff

Andrew Hartloff has been with APM since November of 2015 working as a pest control technician. He was born in Denver, CO but raised in the small town of Blue Rapids, KS. Graduated from Manhattan high school in 2011 and been in the workforce since. Was previously working for his dad in Blue Rapids delivering propane to the surrounding area. Growing up in a small-town there wasn’t a lot to do so Andrew played every sport he could get to and was outside riding bikes, 4wheelers, or whatever else was available. Now spends time away from work enjoying time with friends, watching sports on TV, playing video games, or going on walks/hikes with his dog Kai.

Certified Technician

Kenny Elliot

Kenny joined American Pest Management in 2020 and has been servicing the Wichita area. He is from a small town in the Southwestern part of Kansas called Holcomb. Kenny joined the Air Force right out of high school and served our country for seven years. After leaving the Air Force he had a few jobs but nothing he would call a career. He says came to American Pest looking for a job but ended up finding his career. Kenny loves every aspect of his job. There is always something new and exciting.

In his free time he enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and three kids. He is also finishing up an Associates Degree and then will move on to pursue a Bachelor’s in Biology or Entomology.

Certified Technician

Kenny Taylor

My name is Kenny Taylor and I have been with American Pest Management for 7 years. Prior to this, I spent 2 decades in the construction and commercial roofing business. I have a beautiful wife and daughter and 1 cat. I enjoy fishing, riding my four-wheeler, and anything outdoors. The best part about working at American Pest Management is I work with good people and I get to do wildlife work. I look forward to many more years of working at American Pest Management.

Certified Technician

Zach Rowdybush

I’m Zach Roudybush I have been with American Pest Management for about four months. I enjoy spending most of my time outdoors fishing or hunting with friends. I look forward to helping all my clients with any pest related needs.

Certified Technician

Zane Zercher

My name is Zane Zercher and I’m a certified pest specialist as well as an outside sales representative for American Pest Management. I’ve been working with American Pest for 7 months and I love our exemplary service and family atmosphere. They’ve given me the opportunity to receive 3 separate licenses within the state of Kansas with plans to get an additional 2 in the next few months, as well as the opportunity to join multiple organizations within Wichita. I’m hopeful and excited for my future with American Pest Management.

Certified Technician

Chris Hare

Bio Coming Soon.

Pest Technician

Matt Timmons

Hi, my name is Matt Timmons, I started working for American pest management in 2021. If you would of told me I would be working as a pest technician five years ago, I would of been very surprised. Since I have started this job though, I have done nothing but loved it. Between the atmosphere at work and the clients we service, it has been so invigorating. I have found love and passion in my work and what I do to help our clients. I love that everyone is always encouraging you and making you better and really hone your skill sets. They give you the tools and time to become the best.

Outside of work, I enjoy my time with my wife Kristen and my four kids. Hudson, Cane, Landin, and Fynlee. We enjoy soccer, bbqs, playing video games and watching movies as a family. I also have a huge passion for music and play guitar. Something I have always loved and always encourage my kids to find their passion in music.

Customer Service Representative

Ellen Shannon

Ellen Shannon joined our American Pest Management team in November of 2021 as a Customer Service Representative, and is authorized to treat and register homes under the Bora-Care 30-Year Limited Warranty Program. In the workplace she enjoys problem solving, and getting clients to smile.

Originally from Topeka, Ellen moved to southern Kansas after graduating in 2012 to attend community college in pursuit of a degree in Forensic Psychology. She was fortunate to attend while on scholarship for band as a percussionist, and cheerleading as a flyer.

Outside of work Ellen enjoys spending time with her son, going on walks, watching TV, playing video games and reading.

Pest Control Association Master Technician

Zack Messick

Zachery Messick, a Kansas Pest Control Association Master Technician, is an Arizona native. Zach started his career in the pest control industry with American Pest Management in 2014. He takes great pride in providing great customer service and resolving client’s pest issues.

When not at work, Zach enjoys golfing with friends and family, hunting for oddities at flea markets/antique shops, and crate digging for vinyl records.

Zach inherited a love for old cars from his father, an avid hot rodder. Zach currently owns a 1964 Buick Skylark, a project that gets attention as time and money permits. His hope to be cruising car shows with his daughter and passing along the hot rod culture.