Viewpoint - Jodi Dorsch: Different Journeys, Similar Successes

On June, I attended the NPMA Academy, sponsored by Syngenta Professional Products, in Scottsdale, Ariz. At that meeting I saw one of the best panel discussions I’ve ever seen in the pest control industry. (And in five years of covering this industry, I’ve seen a lot of panel discussions.) The panel consisted of 10 speakers from five companies and the discussion focused on family succession. The session was facilitated by Linden Griffin and Jeff Spencer, Griffin Pest Control, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Harold and Todd Leyse, Adam’s Pest Control, Minneapolis, Minn.; Bob and Bob Dold Jr., Rose Exterminator Co., Northbrook, Ill.; Ed and Ryan Bradbury, Viking Termite & Pest Control, Bound Brook, N.J.; and Lester Humphrey and Pat Humphrey-Wicker, Lester Humphrey Pest Control, Abilene, Texas.

The majority of pest control firms in the United States are family owned and the discussion at Academy focused on the successes and pitfalls that occurred (or, are occurring now) as the company was transitioned from the parent (or other family member) to the next generation. Some "children" on the panel talked about how prior to entering pest control, they had little to no aspirations to enter their family’s business. But after looking around in the real world for a while, they decided to enter an industry that had provided well for their family for a number of years.

What struck me was how all of the stories – while at their roots similar – were all so amazingly different. Also, I realized that those who were most successful and excited about their roles in the business were the ones who wanted to be there. They weren’t forced by anyone or any situation.

What I took away from Academy is that no matter how you get into this industry – working summers at a local firm, joining a company after years in another industry, coming back into the family business or from journalism school at Ohio University (the way I found my way to the industry) — it’s a pretty good business to be in.

Speaking of journalism school, some media have come under fire lately. The most obvious example is reporter Jayson Blair of the New York Times, whose purposeful inaccuracies in many stories cost him his job, as well the jobs of two senior leaders at the powerful paper. And even though many are rightfully distrustful of the media these days, it’s important to realize that the members of the press can still be your allies. For example, in this issue of PCT we feature two news stories about how the professional pest management industry has used the media to its advantage. First, NPMA Executive Director Rob Lederer was featured in June on CNBC. Secondly, Fred Reece, a supervisor with Western Exterminator, was interviewed for the History Channel’s Modern Marvels: The Exterminator, which also aired in June. (Read the stories on pages 12 and 26.)

Of course, even though these stories were considered by many to be a success for the industry, it’s as important as ever to be cautious when speaking to the press. Choose your words carefully. What you say could possibly be used against you, your company or your industry.