Compass celebrates silver anniversary in style

The pandemic did not stop the owners of Compass Pest Management from honoring employees and longtime customers for helping them reach a major milestone.

Based in Cornelia, Ga., and with offices in Greenville and Anderson, S.C., the company was founded by Philip Smith and his wife, Lisa, in Greenville in November 1995. Now 36 employees strong, Compass has won numerous accolades in local and community programs — not only for customer satisfaction, but for giving back to its community through fundraising and donation programs, Rotary scholarships, mentoring youth programs and a training program for prison inmates for jobs upon release.

In early December, the Smiths hosted a 25th anniversary celebration with employees, family and friends at The Bleckley Inn in Anderson, S.C. Because of the ongoing pandemic, care was taken to ensure the safety of all guests regarding social distancing and mask-wearing. Still, Lisa notes, “It was a wonderful celebration.”

PHOTO: J+K PHOTOGRAPHY

The employee photo board guests saw when they first arrived was one of the many ways the Smiths wanted to honor them that evening, Lisa says. “We gave them gifts, including pottery mugs with the 25th anniversary logo, charcuterie boards with the logo, Starbucks gift cards, monogrammed purses for the ladies and monogrammed shirts for the guys,” she adds. “We really wanted to thank them for
all they have done for us.”

PHOTO: J+K PHOTOGRAPHY

Compass Pest Management owners Philip and Lisa Smith refurbished their original company truck and outfitted it with the 25-year logo. Standing in front of the 1995 Ford Ranger are, from left, Tim Glore, their son-in-law and a full-time technician in the Greenville office; Jessica Glore, their daughter and renewal coordinator in the Anderson office; Lisa and Philip; and Addison Smith, their son and a part-time technician in the Cornelia office.

PHOTO: J+K PHOTOGRAPHY

Philip thanked employees and their guests for sharing their time and talent with the company, especially during the pandemic. Attendees took care to wear masks when not eating and observed other social distancing practices.

PHOTO: J+K PHOTOGRAPHY

Philip presented a gift to Millie Leaphart, who with her husband, Ben, has been a 25-year customer. “She was the person who encouraged Philip to start Compass,” Lisa points out.

PHOTO: J+K PHOTOGRAPHY

Philip recognized five employees who have been with Compass for more than 10 years, including the Greenville office’s renewal coordinator, Carolyn Baker.