06/07/2026
29 years ago, I needed a job. I was newly married and not sure what I wanted to do but I knew that I had to find something to support my wife and the future of my family.
I searched the classifieds and circled a few places. I applied at Terminix and was hired by Richard Barton as a sales inspector.
I hated it! I wanted to quit.
I got the opportunity to move into the service department as a termite inspector and I loved it. I was eventually promoted up to a service manager. I managed a program for Terminix that converted about 5000 accounts from liquid to Sentricon in a 20 month period.
I also studied and acquired my ACE certification from the Entomological Society of America. People that have passed the ACE exam have proven that they are some of the best in the field of pest management. There are currently less than 1500 ACE certificate holders in the world.
I went up the ladder, down the ladder and back up the ladder. I eventually left Terminix to work briefly in the bird division for Rentokil. I learned a lot but bird work wasn’t for me. I moved onto RK Environmental.
RKE was the greatest job I’ve ever had. While at RKE, I added licenses in 8 other states besides Florida and to compliment my ACE certification. I loved working for Hank and the entire RKE team. I thought I would never leave and then we lost Talath. I was crushed.
Hank eventually sold RKE to Rentokil/Terminix. I stayed put for 3 years but never felt that I could achieve what I wanted so I left.
I decided to open Secured Pest Management. I started from scratch. 0 customers. No pay. Nothing.
I am 3 1/2 months into this and I have never been in a better place. I’m back servicing my local community and reconnecting to clients from my past and also new ones. I am thankful for the support of my wife, my friends and my family.
Along my journey, some of the people that meant the most to me and guided me on this path are: Dick Barton, Chris Graham, Dr John Mangold, Ann Russell, Marty Pate, David Johnson, Stoy Hedges, John Paige III, Tom Smiddy, Hank Hirsch, Talath Witharane, Jon Grell and Jess Coronato.
I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without your guidance.
Happy 29 year anniversary to me. 😎