People make the difference

Illustration: Leo Michael

If there’s a common refrain to be found in our five profiles of our 2022 Pest Management Professional (PMP) Growth Leaders, it’s that these companies owe a great deal of their success to their employees. The leaders should be credited for making smart moves such as setting — and meeting — realistic goals, using benchmarks to ensure steady growth, and striving to provide the best service possible. But all of that is being attained with the help of their teams.

For example, Jeff Stafford can pinpoint exactly where double-digit growth started for his company, Innovative Pest Solutions — and it boils down to smart hires.

“It started with us picking up a seven-figure contract for a veterans hospital. This large, complex account required four full-time technicians. I recruited technicians who had large medical facility experience, and we hit it out of the park,” he explains.

Shortly thereafter, Stafford met with Miguel Garcia, who had been a top salesperson for a $12 million/year pest control company: “We quickly realized we could work well together, and he came on board as a partner. During that time, Robert Gregorio, one of the most respected canine handlers in the country, came on board. Together, they went out and introduced our programs and Innovative started to experience rapid growth.”