In Memoriam: Ed Martin

METAIRIE, La. — Ed Martin, longtime president of Metairie. La.-based Terminix Service Co., died of a heart attack on Wednesday, April 6. He was 80. 

 

A 58-year veteran of the pest control industry, Martin purchased the Terminix office in the early 1960s and grew it from a 6-person, 3-vehicle business to a $13 million-plus operation, with 140 employees in four offices throughout southeastern Louisiana.

 

Martin was well respected by industry colleagues, including the research and manufacturer communities, for his work performing important field tests on termiticide candidates under experimental use permits (EUPs). He was a valued industry advocate who was interviewed by large newspapers (e.g., The New York Times), national magazines and cable news programs. For these and other industry contributions Martin was recognized by PCT magazine as its 2000 Professional of the Year. PCT and Syngenta also recognized Martin as a 1996 Crown Leadership Award honoree.

 

“What made Ed a successful owner was that he was very much a people person and he was loyal to his employees,” said Vincent Palumbo, co-owner of Terminix Services with Martin since 1994. “As a researcher he was always thorough and open-minded to discovering what really works and following through his research to a conclusion.”

 

A New Orleans native, Martin came to Terminix in 1960 after graduating from Louisiana State University with a BS in entomology. At the time, the business offered only termite services; Martin oversaw the opening of the pest control division. After two years, Martin took out a small loan and purchased the company.

 

Even while he was busy leading a growing company, Martin was involved in finding termite control solutions, in particular, identifying new methods to combat Formosan termites, which were wreaking havoc throughout New Orleans. For example, in the 1970s, Martin developed a method to combat Formosan termite infestations by combining fumigation with soil treatments. 

 

In 1994, Palumbo merged his business, VP Exterminators, with Terminix. Palumbo will continue to run the business along with Martin’s grandson, Joseph Martin, who is finishing his master’s degree in entomology from LSU.

 

Martin is survived by Loretta, his wife of 57 years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association or to the donor's favorite charity.