[PCO Profile] First and Ten

In the last 3+ years Don Trull has left his mark in pest control as commercial sales manager at End-O-PestTermite & Pest Control/Coastal Fumigators, Houston, Texas. Trull’s 40-year professional career includes jobs as a contractor, small businessman and an impressive stint as a professional football player for the AFL’s Houston Oilers and Boston Patriots, the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos, and the World Football League’s Houston Texans.

In his current position Trull has used his construction and pest control knowledge, as well as his selling expertise, to build-up End-O-Pest’s commercial pest control and termite business. "I was hired by Leo Holder in the spring of 2000," Trull recalls. "At the time, they were doing quite a bit of residential work, but wanted to increase their commercial business."

Pest control has been quite a departure for Trull, but one that he’s found to his liking. "I enjoy solving people’s problems," Trull said. "Customers will have a bug they can’t identify or know how to take care of, so helping the customer out has been a lot of fun and my favorite part of the job."

In addition, Trull has enjoyed learning about new product innovations and networking with other pest management professionals.

PLAYING DAYS. Before making a name for himself in pest control, Trull left his mark on the gridiron. A native of Oklahoma City, Trull was a standout high school quarterback who earned a full-ride football scholarship to Baylor University. During his time at Baylor, Trull became one of the top passing quarterbacks in the country. In 1962 and 1963, Trull led the NCAA in pass completions and captured the Sammy Baugh Award as the nation’s top quarterback. He was named an All-American in 1963.

"My strength as a quarterback was reading defenses and back in those days we called our own plays," Trull says. "I didn’t have a real strong arm but I was pretty accurate."

A TOUGH CHOICE. Trull was drafted by the NFL’s Baltimore Colts as well as the AFL’s Houston Oilers — both challenging situations because at the time the Colts had future Hall of Fame QB Johnny Unitas while the Oilers had future Hall of Fame QB/kicker George Blanda. "At the time Blanda was 35 and Unitas was 30, so I thought I would have a better chance of playing in Houston, but lo and behold I retired and Unitas retired while Blanda was still playing for Oakland," Trull recalls with a chuckle.

Trull signed with Houston, where he split time at QB with Blanda, taking about 50 percent of the snaps. Trull also continued his education while playing professionally. After graduating from Baylor with a double major in math and education and a minor in biology, Trull was awarded one of 10 Earl Blaik Scholarships given to outstanding football players who also excelled in academics. He was provided with a graduate study fellowship in 1963, which he used to attend law school for two years during the off-season.

In 1967, Trull was traded after the sixth game to the Boston Patriots and started five games that year. Trull was the starting QB for Boston in 1968 but he "tore up" his shoulder early in the season, was released, and then picked up by his old team — the Oilers. Trull’s best season came during this second stint with the Oilers (in 1968), when he started 10 games. One of Trull’s career highlights was beating his former team — the Patriots — later that season.

After the 1969 season, Trull headed north of the border to Edmonton of the Canadian Football League in 1970. After two years in Canada, Trull hung up his cleats and accepted a coaching position at the University of Arkansas. He coached the University of Arkansas freshman team in 1972 and was the Razorbacks’ varsity QB coach in 1973 and 1974.

Trull then returned to the playing field in 1974-1975 as a player-coach for the Houston Texans of the newly formed World Football League. The team unfortunately ran out of money halfway through the season, relocated to Shreveport, La., and was renamed the Shreveport Steamer.

Although Trull retired permanently from professional football in 1975, he still remains active, currently working for the NFL Alumni Association as head of the Houston chapter. The NFL Alumni Association is a non-profit service organization of former professional football players who work voluntarily on behalf of youth and charity.

NEW VENTURES. After his playing days came to an end, Trull went to work in the construction business in insurance loss restoration. In 1976, Trull opened his own construction company, Don Trull Contractors, a business he owned and operated for 13 years. Trull and a pair of friends then opened a telecommunications business that they ran for three years.

Throughout the years, Trull became acquainted with Leo and Cheri Holder, long-time pest management professionals who lived in Trull’s subdivision and even serviced his home. Trull and the Holders also occasionally consulted with one another about construction and termite work.

In early 2000, Cheri Holder inquired with Trull about doing some remodeling work but Trull explained that he was no longer in the construction business. After the two conversed for a while, Holder asked Trull if he would be interested in working for End-O-Pest. Trull decided to give it a shot.

"I had been on the periphery of some of the pest control business as far as termites and termite damage and repairs. And I dealt with the consumer in business all the time, so it was not totally foreign to me, but I had to learn the technical aspects of the industry," he said.

Trull took correspondence courses and also received in-house training prior to joining End-O-Pest. After starting out in general sales, Trull has worked his way to commercial sales manager and says he continues to enjoy his new found profession.

When not working at End-O-Pest or with the NFL Alumni Association, Trull enjoys spending time with Judy, his wife of 42 years who also was his college sweetheart, and their three daughters (all Baylor grads) and eight grandchildren.

The author is Internet editor of www.pctonline.com. He can be reached at bharbison@giemedia.com.