Jerry Jochim is the Environmental Technician for the Monroe County Community School Corporation in Bloomington, IN. He has been implementing and monitoring an Integrated Pest Management program for twenty schools in the MCCSC since 1997. As a sustainable example of highly effective pest management and pesticide reduction, the MCCSC IPM model is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Purdue University’s Center for IPM in Schools.

Jerry worked for eleven years as a maintenance supervisor for Monroe County schools. He finished his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1996. In 1997 he accepted the new position of IPM coordinator. Training for this position was provided by grants from the USEPA and Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. Trainers included Drs. Bobby Corrigan and Marc Lame.

Since that time he has taken on the role of a trainer in IPM. The training has taken him around the country to several states including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, the Navajo Indian Reservation and of course, Indiana. He has also participated in national IPM workshops in Bloomington, IN and Washington D.C.

Jerry was recently the on-site coordinator for the pilot IPM program in the Westerville, Ohio School District. He is also currently working with the Indiana National Guard setting up an IPM program. He continues to work with the Arizona Coalition project and has recently been involved in discussions with officials in Mexico for IPM implementation in Mexico.

Jerry serves as co-chairperson for the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District’s Citizen Advisory Committee, and has been on this committee since 1996.