TWINSBURG, OH — Bart Baker, son of Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer Stanley Z. Baker and an industry innovator in his own right, has announced his retirement as senior vice president of the family business, J.T. Eaton & Co., effective Oct. 1.
Baker’s father purchased the company in 1949, which had been founded 17 years earlier as a mail-order house for pest control products. Baker and his brother, Ben, essentially grew up in the business — helping their parents fill orders at the warehouse and eventually learning the sales and management operations.
In the 1980s, Baker wrote the popular column “Bart Baker Speaks” for Pest Control (now Pest Management Professional) magazine. Baker says he has always enjoyed working with pest management professionals, whether it is demonstrating J.T. Eaton’s latest integrated pest management (IPM) innovation at a trade show or helping to troubleshoot a tough rodent or insect account on phone or in person.
“I think I’ll miss the people the most,” he admits, noting that a torn knee ligament is keeping him from attending the upcoming PestWorld 2012 event in Boston. “But I know I’m leaving the company in excellent hands — Ben is still heavily involved in the day-to-day operations, and Dale is well-versed on the ins and outs of the industry.”
Adds son Dale Baker, who is sales and marketing vice president for J.T. Eaton, “Bart may be retiring, but we fully plan to rely on his knowledge and expertise as a consultant, as his schedule allows.”
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