Gordon Morrison: A Lifetime of Service to the Industry

Few industry professionals have had a more distinguished career than Gordon Morrison, who retired from Bayer in January after more than 40 years in the pest management industry.

“I first met Gordon when he was a Zoecon representative in the Northeast and I was technical director of Certified Pest Control,” recalls longtime industry colleague Joe Barile, Technical Service Lead for Bayer Pest Management & Public Health. “He taught me that buying restricted use pesticides was the smartest thing I could do,” he says with a laugh.

Morrison, a beloved figure in the industry, graduated from the University of New Brunswick (Canada) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry. Prior to joining Bayer, he served as National Sales and Marketing Manager for Zoecon, where he was responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies.

That started a 30-year relationship between the two men, with Morrison eventually recruiting Barile to Bayer. “We’ve known each other forever,” Barile said. “What I love about Gordon was his responsibility to the position and his commitment to the industry. He understood the importance of customer relationships. Sometimes you’re not just selling the product; you’re selling yourself. I learned that from Gordon.”

After joining Bayer in 2001, Morrison spent a decade as Maxforce Market Manager, introducing bait technology to the professional pest management industry, arguably his greatest contribution. 

“I spent more time with Gordon Morrison than my wife for a couple of years,” recalls industry icon Dr. Austin Frishman of those early years educating the marketplace about cockroach baits. “During that entire time on the road he was a true professional,” Frishman said. “He made traveling enjoyable, which not everybody can do. There are a million things that can go wrong on a trip, but I never saw him get upset.”

In 2012, Morrison was named Food Safety Manager at Bayer Crop Science, followed by a stint as Business Manager for Vector Control and Farm Hygiene.

In his multiple roles at Bayer, despite his laid-back demeanor, Morrison was a “fierce competitor” with a burning desire to win, according to Barile. “Gordon did his homework. He knew everything about the products and services in our portfolio and he never gave anything but his best effort.”

Barile said Morrison was also one of his favorite bosses. “He empowered people to get the best out of themselves,” he said. “One of the fundamental things he taught me was don’t obsess about your mistakes as long as you learn from them. It’s better to be daring than indecisive.”

When asked what his closing words would be to his good friend, Barile said, “Well done, buddy. There aren’t many people who have achieved as much as you have in your career. Enjoy your retirement,” sentiments echoed by his good friend and colleague Austin Frishman. “Gordon leaves a very positive impact on the industry in a quiet way. I wish him the best.”