2024 Vistage Member Excellence Award Winner
Joined Vistage in 2018
My wife’s father owned a pest control company, and I worked for him as a side hustle. He wanted me to work full time, but I couldn’t afford the pay cut. After a few years, though, I started an environmentally friendly pest control company … with the help of my father-in-law.
That was 1989. If I had Vistage back then, I could have retired years ago!
I bought my first small pest control business in 2009, which greatly expanded my service area. So, I bought more companies, and my business grew faster. Vistage helped me scale.
I had an unbelievable group and Chair. When I joined in 2018, I didn’t have any business background. But with my group’s guidance, I created an executive team, improved the culture and aligned everyone on fundamental values.
In 2022, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. My Vistage group stepped up and created a tiger team that met with my team every month. Along with my Chair, they would drive 90 minutes each way to sit down with my COO.
My company excelled because of these very educated businesspeople. Our group is relentless — I mean relentless — when it comes to helping you grow your business.
When I got sick, I reached out to private equity companies about selling. I received a good offer, but my group suggested that I wait. In September 2023, their offer increased significantly — with guaranteed positions for my COO, partner and sales manager.
Today, I have a clean bill of health. I’ve been golfing and traveling, and I bought a house in Florida. My wife and I took a luxury cruise. I spend lots of time with my sons, and I have a new grandbaby who keeps asking for me.
I made a commitment to a friend to help his business, and I’m making good on that promise. But one thing I would say to anyone about to sell is: Don’t jump straight into anything else! Give yourself time.
Summers were high season for us, and I was always working hard. But now I got my summers back.
