Background
From entomology
to enterprise.
One entomologist's idea about insect communication — and the forty-year company that grew from it in Adair, Oklahoma.
Bill W. Lingren didn't start as an entrepreneur. He started as a scientist — an entomologist from Oklahoma State University, class of 1969, who spent a decade working in agricultural science and private industry. He acquired a product line from Zoecon, and with his wife Donna, developed it into Trécé in 1984.
The idea was specific: use pheromones — the insect's own chemical communication system — to monitor pest populations and help growers make better decisions. In 1995, a USDA Agricultural Research Service publication documented cooperative research between Trécé and the federal government on pepper weevil pheromone systems. It wasn't glamorous. But it worked.
In 2002, Bill brought the company home — relocating headquarters and manufacturing to Adair, Oklahoma, reconnecting the enterprise with his roots. The company has remained privately held throughout, serving orchards, vineyards, row crops, and stored grain markets across North America. In 2017, OSU's Ferguson College of Agriculture recognized Bill as a Distinguished Alumnus for his career, entrepreneurship, and service to Oklahoma communities.
Oklahoma State University
Earned a degree in entomology from OSU's Ferguson College of Agriculture. The foundation of everything that followed — understanding insect behavior as a system, not a problem to spray away.
Agricultural science career
A decade working across agricultural science and private industry — learning the gap between what research knows and what growers can actually use. Acquired a product line from Zoecon.
Founded Trécé
Bill and his wife Donna built Trécé around one focused idea: pheromone-based monitoring that turns invisible pest activity into information growers can act on.
USDA cooperative research
A USDA Agricultural Research Service publication documented Trécé's cooperative research and development agreement to refine an aggregation-pheromone system for commercial pepper fields — field-tested in the United States and Mexico.
Return to Oklahoma
Relocated Trécé headquarters and manufacturing back to Adair, Oklahoma — reconnecting the enterprise with its founder's home state. Donated land for the local volunteer fire department.
The Journal Record profile
Profiled in Oklahoma's business journal as a scientist-entrepreneur who brought an international agricultural business back to his rural hometown, combining manufacturing with applied pest-management research.
OSU Distinguished Alumnus
Recognized by OSU's Ferguson College of Agriculture for a career spanning entomology, integrated-pest-management leadership, entrepreneurship, and service to Oklahoma communities — including scholarships and the Computers for Agriculture initiative.
Four decades and counting
Trécé remains privately held, manufacturing in Adair, and serving growers across North America. One of the longest-tenured privately held agricultural science companies in the U.S.
"Build the enterprise around the problem — not the other way around."
— Bill W. Lingren
Recognition
Awards & honors
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2017
Distinguished Alumnus
Oklahoma State University · Ferguson College of Agriculture
Recognized for entomology career, IPM leadership, entrepreneurship, and service to Oklahoma communities.
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—
Member of the Year
Western Agricultural Chemical Association
Awarded after long committee and advisory service, including chair of the Integrated Pest Management committee.
In the Press
Coverage & profiles
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Oklahoma State University · 2017
2017 Distinguished Alumnus: Bill Lingren
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USDA Agricultural Research Service · 1995
Weevils Get Pepper Growers Hot
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The Journal Record · 2005
Adair company works to build a better bug trap
Community & Philanthropy
Rooted in Adair.
When Bill brought Trécé home to Oklahoma in 2002, he didn't just move the company. He invested in the community that raised him.
Adair High School — Jim Boston Scholarships
Bill and Donna Lingren fund four annual scholarships for deserving Adair High School students, supporting the next generation of Oklahoma students.
Oklahoma State University — Endowed Scholarship
The Lingrens endowed a Scholarship in Entomology at OSU, supporting graduate students in the department where Bill earned his degree in 1969.
Adair Volunteer Fire Department
Trécé donated land for the Adair volunteer fire department station — a direct investment in the safety infrastructure of a small Oklahoma community.
Professional Leadership
Long-time chair of the Integrated Pest Management committee at the Western Agricultural Chemical Association. Member of the Entomological Society of America, with conference presentations and industry participation.