[2009 Leadership Profiles] Millard & Ada Oldham

One of the industry’s most remarkable couples has enjoyed a special bond with their employees and their customers in a career that has spanned nearly 60 years.

Economies may change. Companies may open, close or merge. New products may come and go. But the one constant in the pest control industry are Millard and Ada Oldham, owners of Oldham Chemicals Co., Memphis, Tenn. They’re a constant because at industry events you rarely see one without the other. In fact, their chairs sit side by side in the office they have shared for 43 years since they started the business on April Fool’s Day in 1966. “When we started it was just the two of us and we have always had our chairs side by side in the office. It has always been that way since day one,” Ada recalled fondly. “I wouldn’t recommend it for everybody, but it’s worked for us.”

50-YEAR ROMANCE. The two met in college. “We were both in the band. We just kept mingling together and got to know one another and we’ve been married 58 years,” Millard said.

“Her dad and mother really took care of her and led her in the right direction. That was a bond that pulled us together,” Millard said. “We were both born in Arkansas.” Millard was born in Blythville; Ada in Harrison. “She was born in the hills and I was river rat,” he said with a laugh.

Ada, a self-proclaimed “people person” began working in a chemical company lab but decided she wasn’t cut out for solitary work. “Frankly, I just couldn’t be in a place by myself. I just had to get out of there and be with the people.”

Early on, Millard worked in chemical sales. Ultimately, they left the chemical manufacturing/formulation field and started their own distributorship. “The toughest times were the first year or two. We lived on $100 a week. Thank goodness my father-in-law gave me a truck or we couldn’t have made a go of it,” Millard said.

Their daughter, Marsha, joined the business during college and her husband, Tommy Reeves, entered the business more than 20 years ago. The Oldhams’ granddaughter, Stephanie Reeves, began working at the company in 2008. “There are not many companies that can say they’ve worked side-by-side with family members for three generations,” Ada said.

Marsha believes succeeding in the early years took “some long hours. Our office was a two-room office and shipping dock. I wasn’t old enough to be on the payroll then, but I watched how hard they worked.”

Like many busy entrepreneurs, the Oldhams worked hard and were able to keep their professional life and their personal life balanced. “Even though they were busy, they had time for me in between trying to grow the business,” Marsha said. “They went to all my band functions and we went to church together.”

Oldham Chemicals Office Manager Cathy Wade is not a family member but since she has worked for the couple since 1985, she said she feels like one. “I know what they expect from me and I do my best to provide it. It’s family to me.”

LOYAL CUSTOMERS. Tommy Reeves attributes the firm’s success to a number of factors, but first and foremost is the founders’ relationship with their customers. “Number one, Millard and Ada have always looked after the independent, small businessperson in the field. That’s because they’ve actually walked in their shoes. They know what it’s like to take care of their employees during the hard times.”

Customer relationships have always been based on trust. “I trusted our customers all the way,” Millard said.

“I think love reaches out to the customers,” Ada added. “We’re all in it together. When we sit in there one-on-one, that’s where you earn their trust. If we talk about problems with each other we can help one another out.”

Millard’s philosophy about customers is this: “If you treat them right and help them any way you can, they’ll keep coming back.”

“We’re currently doing business with third-generation family-owned businesses,” Tommy Reeves said. “And I would honestly say that in economic conditions we’re experiencing now that’s a blessing because we’re seeing a loyalty factor that has surpassed anything I could imagine. The dividends of those relationships Millard and Ada developed 45 years ago are being paid now.

“Faith has played a big part in the success of the business from the beginning. They display their faith on an hourly basis,” Tommy continued. “It’s a very positive, honorable business. It’s an evident quality in both Millard and Ada.”

WHAT LIES AHEAD? As for the future of Oldham Chemicals, Tommy says the company plans to continue to grow.

Now in his early 80s, Millard doesn’t plan to quit working any time soon. He loves the industry too much to stop working. “When I get in my chair I may stay in it a little longer, but that’s the only real change.”

When asked what he would change if he could, he said, “I’d like to grow taller, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. I’m just going to sit back and take it easy and watch the family grow the business. It’s more fun this way than worrying about it.”

One of the accomplishments Millard is most proud of in his career is reviving the West Tennessee Pest Control Association. “We grew the membership by providing quality educational services,” he said.

Valera Jessee, executive director of the Georgia Pest Control Association and United Producers, Formulators & Distributors Association (UPF&DA), has known the Oldhams for many years. “There are certain people in this industry whose friendship you value above others. They are the people who have weathered the storms, the folks who have been instrumental in building an industry from its early days to its maturity. All these characteristics are embodied in the Oldhams.”

Longtime friend Larry Eichler sums it up this way, “When I think of Millard and Ada Oldham, the first thing that comes to mind is their dedication to each other, to their business to their employees and to the industry.”

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UP CLOSE: Millard & Ada Oldham
Title: Owners
Company/Affiliation: Oldham Chemicals Co.
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Personal: Son-in-law Tommy Reeves, daughter Marsha Reeves and granddaughter Stephanie Reeves are key members of the Oldham Chemicals team, a third-generation distributor. Active in church and civic activities.
Career Highlights:

• Both Millard and Ada received bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and biology from Arkansas State University; Millard also received a master’s degree in education from Memphis State University
• Played a key role in reviving the West Tennessee Pest Control Association
• Active members of UPF&DA and National Pest Management Association
• Operate 13 service centers in eight states