[Cover Story] PCT's 23rd Annual Professional of the Year: Gordon Redd, Jr.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved." — Helen Keller

Truer words could not be spoken about PCT’s choice for its Professional of the Year.

For 23 years, PCT has awarded a Professional of the Year Award to an individual who exemplifies what the pest control industry has become — a dynamic moving force that serves a vital purpose to the customers it serves. This year, the award is presented to a man who lives by his faith, has faced devastation and disaster with great optimism and whose character is evident in the community he so eagerly serves.

Gordon Redd, Jr. has survived two of the most devastating hurricanes in our nation’s history — Camille in 1969 and Katrina in 2005. After the overwhelming effects of Camille, Redd knew another storm like that was not possible, until he lived through it this past August when Hurricane Katrina hit Gulfport, Miss., with winds gusting to 140 mph. "I didn’t think I would see a storm comparable to Hurricane Camille again in my lifetime," Redd told PCT. "I was wrong."

Redd was 17 years old when Hurricane Camille ravaged his community. At the time, his father owned Redd Pest Solutions. Redd said when Camille came through in 1969, there was tremendous devastation to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but there was some reprieve because people in neighboring states could come to their rescue and help out. "However, when Katrina hit, it had such widespread, damaging effects that it hurt everyone in the region," he said.

HISTORY OF HOPEFULNESS. In 1952, J.C. and Gordon Redd incorporated Redd Pest Control and served the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coasts. In 1970, Gordon Redd purchased the assets of the coastal operation from his brother and became the sole owner of Redd Pest Control of Gulfport, Miss. The second generation of the Redd family, Gordon Redd, Jr. and Kenny Redd, became active in the coastal operation in the 1970s and in 1988 became co-owners when they purchased the operation from their father. In 2004, the company was renamed Redd Pest Solutions.

Gordon Redd, Jr. is well known for turning adversity into success. Living through Hurricane Camille taught him that anything is possible. When Camille struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1969, Redd Pest Control was nearly destroyed; the family lost half of their business overnight. "When we arrived at the office the next morning, there was very little left," according to Redd. "When something so devastating occurs, there’s an emptiness you can’t describe."

Redd realized what was important. Yes, the business was important, but family, friends and his relationship with God were really what mattered to him most. After Hurricane Katrina swept through the region this past August, Redd knew it was vital for his employees to experience some sort of normalcy. Following the hurricane on Sunday, Aug. 29, Redd knew that his team would be in on Tuesday morning and he vigorously prepared for their arrival. "On Monday, I swept off my parking lot, cleaned up the front of the building and removed all the old carpet. I wanted things to look as normal as they possibly could. I even put the doormats at the door."

Redd knew his employees were expecting doom and despair. As they staggered in on their first day back to work, many had slumped shoulders and empty stares. After Redd gave them a two-hour pep talk, explained all the possible opportunities there were for the business and assured them they would all remain on payroll, he said he nearly choked on the cloud of dust his employees created as they headed back to work.

It’s not just Mother Nature that has tried to get the best of Redd’s character. Back in 1996, two men (non-Redd Pest Control employees) illegally applied methyl parathion to hundreds of homes and businesses in Jackson County, Miss., and the story made national headlines. In addition to restaurants, hotels and daycares closing, more the 600 people were displaced from their homes. The media failed to address the fact that these were unlicensed applicators who had put more than 600 people at risk as a result of their poor judgment. So Redd, in a very public forum, defended his business and his industry.

CONTINUING SUPPORT. Redd used the methyl parathion scare as an opportunity to turn something negative into something positive — to promote the benefits of his service both as a company and an industry. He agreed to a live television interview with the local ABC affiliate and spoke to several newspaper reporters regarding the incident. In every interview, he made the point that customers should seek out the services of a licensed pest control professional rather than simply purchasing the lowest-priced service.

Redd’s brother, Kenny, wasn’t surprised that Gordon decided to take the media to task. "Gordon and I agree that licensed, well-trained employees are not only the key to our company’s success but also to the safety of our customers and the environment. Gordon felt he had a responsibility to set the record straight."

Redd nurtures his employees, helps them hone their skills and teaches them to use their own talents and abilities to solve pest problems or come up with ideas to grow the business. Redd says training is crucial. "We have a training session every Tuesday morning for about an hour or so where we talk about safety and technical issues. It’s a forum for interaction between management and the PCOs — it’s a good environment to present new ideas."

Redd’s efforts to create a worker-friendly environment have paid off. The average tenure for his employees is 13 years. One employee will soon celebrate his 50-year anniversary with the company.

A GOOD NEIGHBOR. Long-time friend and colleague Bob Kunst, president, Fischer Environmental Services, says that Redd is deservingly successful because of the way he treats others. "Gordon is very ethical and honest. People are continually impressed by the way he deals with his customers and his employees." Kunst adds, "I’ve known Gordon for more than 20 years and he’s a successful business man because he will do the best job possible in order to satisfy the customer — even if he doesn’t make a profit."

Kunst says that Redd is someone you would like to be related to or have as your next-door neighbor. "You could look a long time and not find a better or nicer human being."

AT HOME. There is more to life than being a great business man. Redd knows that to achieve true success, you must first be a successful person.

"Right now, one of my biggest pleasures is enjoying my relationship with my grandchildren," said Redd, who is father to sons Trey and Bevin. He has two grandchildren.

It’s hard to figure out how Redd has any time for a personal life. In addition to his responsibilities at the company, he is on the board of directors at Hancock Bank, is on the executive board of the Pine Burr council of Boy Scouts of America and on the board of directors for Coast Electric Power Association. He has received numerous awards for his generosity to the community.

Compassionate, honest, moral and ethical. These are the words that Gordon Redd, Jr.’s friends have used to describe him — and these characteristics are the reason he is PCT’s 23rd Professional of the Year.

The author is a frequent contributor to PCT magazine and owns Compelling Communications, a business marketing/graphic design firm based in St. Louis, Mo. She can be reached at jvanklaveren@giemedia.com.

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Redd Named 2005 Small Business Executive of the Year

Earlier this year, the Mississippi Coast Chamber honored 38 small businesses,  including Redd Pest Solutions, as part of its first Tapestry Awards. Gordon Redd, Jr. was honored as Small Business Executive of the Year and told the Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.) that the chamber’s resources keep Mississippi Coast business owners linked to resources and business strategies.

“There is mentoring in the chamber that provides a lot of business owners a chance to learn from executives,” Redd told the paper. “We’re all in the people business and the chamber gives us that mentoring.”

The award ceremony was called the Tapestry Awards because small businesses, which make up 90 percent of the chamber’s membership, tie the coast community together, said Mississippi Power’s Linda Watts. Watts serves as the chamber’s vice president of community development.

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A Photographic Diary of Post-Katrina Gulfort
In describing the conditions in post-Hurricane Katrina Gulfport, Miss., Redd Pest Solutions President Gordon Redd, Jr. made the following comment: “I have plenty of pictures I can share, but none of them really depicts the true message of the devastation.”

Click here to view a few pictures Redd took of his trucks and community that just begin to tell the story of this region’s great tragedy.