[2008 Leadership Profiles] Ed Blumenthal

We often read about industry leaders whose credentials are sterling, both in practice and on paper. There seems to be a standard procedure to attaining leadership status in the pest control industry: interest piqued in high school or college; entomology degree(s); research and publication or quick rise through management ranks.

However, not all luminaries in the field of pest management have followed such a predictable path. Ed Blumenthal, recipient of a 2008 Leadership Award, made his professional name through determination, dedication and hard work. With a blue-collar background and old-fashioned work ethic, Blumenthal quietly does what his job requires and then some, preferring to keep his head down to the glare of the spotlight.

Among the many personal attributes that contribute to Blumenthal’s success are his adventurous spirit and strong independent streak, the traits that propelled him along his “unusual route to the pest control industry.”

BLUE-COLLAR BACKGROUND. Born in Amityville, N.Y., Blumenthal’s family moved to Plainview, Long Island, when his father retired from a stint in the U.S. Navy. Blumenthal’s father served as a radio operator on a destroyer during World War II. The family was working-class, and Blumenthal describes his childhood as “typical suburbia. I spent most of my time being picked on by my older brother’s friends.”

Blumenthal left Long Island in 1972 at age 18, moving with a couple buddies to Florida in search of opportunity and sunshine. “Even though it was more than 30 years ago, I can still remember leaving New York in the middle of a blizzard and the next day sitting by the pool, enjoying the weather, and saying to myself, ‘This is the life for me.’”

Having worked in a machine shop during high school, Blumenthal brought only his mechanical skills to his new locale and sought work in construction. “I started at the bottom and worked my way up from the shovel crew, making enough money to pay some bills and the rent,” he recalls. The shovel crew soon gave way to driving heavy machinery, becoming crew foreman and then bidding and estimating jobs.

STRIKING OUT ON HIS OWN. Sensing opportunity and ready to move beyond his work as a construction employee after a decade in the industry, Blumenthal established a drywall company, his first experience in managing all aspects of a business. Both the early move away from his hometown and the leap into business ownership are consistent with Blumenthal’s self-assessment as someone who is “very self-sufficient. I’ve always had an independent streak. It was tough, but it’s something I felt I had to do.”

“I had to make my own way,” he continues. “I couldn’t do something that wasn’t me. While I would have liked to go to college, I don’t regret the path I’ve taken.”

Blumenthal’s entry into the construction industry occurred before the Florida building boom of the late 1990s and early 21st century. Jobs were not plentiful or high-paying, but strong young people who were unafraid of hard work found they could make a living. Blumenthal did not consider his parents a financial safety net and knew he had to earn his own wage to pay the bills.

However, his transition to drywall work and home construction after 10 years in commercial site development allowed him to pursue work that better fit his interests.

A NATURAL FIT. Despite the independence he gained as a small business owner, Blumenthal says he felt burned out within three years. “That was a tough way to go,” he says. “You not only had to sell the work, but do the work and keep the books.”

Blumenthal needed a change, but his options were limited. “Back in 1989, Florida was in a recession and construction work dried up,” he says. “My background was construction and with no advanced schooling, white-collar jobs were out of the question. But Florida is full of bugs and bartenders, and the nightlife is not for me, so I chose bugs.”

Blumenthal started his pest control career with Sears Termite & Pest Control after a month of persistent inquiries about openings finally landed him a job, which he enjoyed from day one, despite the fact that in his new profession Blumenthal again found himself at the bottom of the totem pole.

Faced with selling jobs and then performing the treatments, Blumenthal found his construction experience invaluable. “I understood how homes are built and where termites are most likely to gain access to them,” he says. “And while a lot of people think termite work is hard, try loading drywall for a day. It makes termite work look like a piece of cake.”

After three years in sales and treatment work, Blumenthal took a position as a technical supervisor, troubleshooting jobs and conducting training throughout central Florida. He then became a zone manager in charge of the Longwood branch for more than three years.

A PERFECT FIT. In 1999, Blumenthal moved to the company he now considers his professional home, Massey Services Inc. An initial interview with Rick Beard, a company executive, led to a 45-minute chat with owner Harvey Massey. “We talked the whole time about customer service, and it was after that conversation that I knew I wanted the job,” he says. “They made me an offer — and I was starting all over again.”

Blumenthal quickly entered the company’s management trainee program, a move he describes as “the best I’ve ever made in my entire life.” Massey’s customer-first philosophy appealed to Blumenthal, who preferred to think of his work as “helping the customer instead of just drilling holes.”

As termite retreatment claims increased because termiticides at the time were not as effective as current materials, Blumenthal was promoted to termite training and technical director, managing such claims. As usual, Blumenthal warmed to the challenge.

“After accepting the position, I walked outside with my colleague, Chris Peabody, and said, ‘How can we stop termite damage claims when the products aren’t particularly effective?’ We rolled up our sleeves and started formulating a game plan. We put the plan into action and had some good results. We started making a difference, and it was an exciting time.” It was also a time during which Blumenthal is credited with creating one of the best processes for termite baiting in the pest management industry.

Adam Jones, director of quality assurance at Massey Services, says, “Ed joined us at the height of the termite claim problem, but with his construction background, he was perfectly suited for the job.” Jones credits Blumenthal’s practical knowledge and communication skills to his early success in the company, which experienced a 30 percent reduction in claims in the first year of Blumenthal’s move to the management position.

Echoing Jones’ praise is Tom Jarzynka, Massey Services’ commercial training and technical director. “When he designs a program, he takes into account how the technician is going to be impacted,” he says of Blumenthal. “He looks at everything, which is essential in termite work.”

PERSONALIZING TRAINING. His success having not gone unnoticed, Blumenthal moved into his current job of termite training and technical director almost nine years ago. Using his broad perspective, down-to-earth style and experience, Blumenthal found he has a knack for translating technical information into understandable terms. His training philosophy is that information must be learned, retained and used to provide lasting benefit.
     
He currently manages the quality assurance of all termite activities; oversees 60 service centers in a three-state region; creates and writes all termite and wood-destroying organism training programs, treatment protocols, manuals and procedures; and conducts study classes for applicants taking state certification exams in termite and fumigation, among others.

Blumenthal is dedicated to leaving his trainees with useful information that they can put into practice right away. And he is gratified by knowing that he’s left the technician a little wiser and moved the individual a bit farther toward his or her own career goals.

Individuals who have taken Blumenthal’s training sessions consistently give him positive reviews. “I don’t know how many people at Massey have told me ‘I learned more from Ed in four days than I did in my entire career previously,’” Jones says. “He’s just an amazing teacher.   People feel comfortable around him and say that they’ve learned about termite biology, termite habits, treatment options and building construction through an interactive, hands-on approach that holds their attention.”

Jones’ admiration is real. In fact, Jones and Blumenthal have developed both a mutual respect at work and a deep friendship — Jones was even best man in Blumenthal’s wedding.

Blumenthal is one of the pest control industry’s true success stories. From humble beginnings working as a service technician and in supervisory roles, he ultimately has risen through the ranks to become a key member of Massey Services’ technical team, helping the company develop and fine-tune its highly regarded procedures and protocols. He’s a man who wears many hats at Massey Services, but he juggles his responsibilities with a resolve to do what’s best for the customer, the company, and ultimately the pest control industry.   

Jack of All Trades

Ed Blumenthal has served in the pest management and lawn care industries for 19 years, specializing in termite and Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) protection. He has been a team member of Massy Services for 10 years. He was originally brought in as a manager trainee and then was promoted to technical supervisor. Currently, he serves as termite training and technical director. In his early years with Massey Services, he became a major player in the conventional baiting system for termites. Blumenthal led in this initiative by developing policies and procedures for baiting techniques. He is responsible for creating one of the best processes for baiting in the pest management industry.

Blumenthal’s responsibilities include managing the quality assurance of all termite activities, overseeing approximately 60 individual service centers in Florida, Georgia and Louisiana in a technical capacity, creating and writing all termite and WDO training programs, treating protocols, manuals and procedures, and conducting study classes for applicants taking state certification exams in termite and fumigation, among many others.

“One of his greatest characteristics is his ability to teach,” said Adam Jones, vice president/director of quality assurance.

Blumenthal is well known as a respected teacher in the company. A comment commonly heard from people having just attended his training is that it was absolutely crucial to their understanding of termite biology, termite habits, treatment options and building construction presented in an interactive, hands-on approach that held their attention.

Blumenthal has been an instrumental employee since joining Massey Services10 years ago. He was instrumental in reshaping the processes and procedures for conventional termite treatment. He has played a key role in reducing termite damage claims since his promotion in 1998. Within the first year, Jones said, he reduced damage claims by 30 percent and has continued to bring them down every year since.

Ed Blumenthal at a Glance

• Termite training and technical director, Massey Services
• Held numerous technician and supervisory roles, including zone manager, while working for Sears Termite & Pest Control
• Formerly owned a drywall company
• Native New Yorker who grew up in Long Island
• Father was a radio operator on destroyer during World War Two