Marie Horner

© Dan Routh Photographer

Arrow Exterminators’ Marie Horner has had quite the impact on the pest management industry. She has helped companies, mentored future leaders, shaped legislation and even assisted the industry in securing an “essential service” designation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“One of the simplest ways to describe my life in pest control,” Horner said, “is that it’s wrapped around a series of funny episodes that turned into amazing things.”

AN ACCIDENTAL ENTRANT

After serving in the U.S. Air Force and getting married, Horner earned a contractor’s license before starting her pest control career — almost by accident. She applied for what she believed was a food safety position at The Steritech Group.

“The company had launched their food safety program and that’s what the ad was about,” she said. “They were looking for an account executive; I didn’t know it was pest control.”

Her first week on the job sealed her future. While servicing a Chinese restaurant one day, her supervisor told her to pop a ceiling tile and report what she saw.

“I didn’t have my flashlight on yet and I was hearing this noise — I thought it was electrical shorts,” she recalled. “I turned on my light, and all I saw were yellow dots. It was the most American cockroaches I’ve ever seen in my life. I looked down, the guys were on the floor laughing, but I fell in love with the job that day.”

AN INDUSTRY INFLUENCER

That passion for pest control Horner developed in her early years has never wavered. In her current role as vice president of government affairs for Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators, she is responsible for managing the company’s interactions with government entities and shaping its public policy strategies, but in many ways, it’s what she does outside of her job description that makes her such a treasured team member. “No one works harder than Marie,” said Arrow CEO Emily Thomas Kendrick. “It is truly an honor to have her as part of the Arrow family. She not only sets the standard for excellence, she lifts us all to be better every day.”

Like many in the industry, Horner is a believer in “a rising tide lifts all boats,” which she credits to Harden Blackwell, CEO of Terminix-Triad, Greensboro, N.C. She has served on the boards of several state pest control associations and is an active NPMA member. On any given day, she’s working to grow and protect the industry while supporting fellow professionals across the country, offering her time and talent to any who ask.

Deni Naumann, executive consultant and retired Copesan president (and a previous recipient of the Crown Leadership Award), has served on several boards with Horner. She praised her ability to navigate change.

“The leadership aspect of Marie’s background is that she’s change-oriented and has a lot of passion around it,” Naumann said. “Our industry has faced economic, environmental, personnel and technology challenges. Marie finds the challenge, then drives the change. In her state association roles, and at the national level with NPMA, she tackles complex problems with grace, energy and humor.”

Stanton E. Cope, Ph.D., director of technical services and a public health entomologist at Rose Pest Solutions, has worked alongside Horner for years.

“Marie has been a guiding light, inspiration and stalwart in our industry for many years at the local, state, regional and federal levels,” Cope said. “As vice president of government affairs and industry stewardship, she fought during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure our industry was designated as an essential service.

“She has supported many state associations with a myriad of tasks, and she’s been deeply involved with Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM), contributing to everything from events to fundraising.”

TRAILABLAZER

Horner has served in just about every technical and management position one could imagine. She began her career as an account executive and from there, worked her way through the ranks, holding positions such as branch manager, area manager, district manager, vice president of operations and regional vice president of operations.

As a woman in a predominately male-led industry, she serves as an inspiration for other women pursuing gainful careers and leadership roles within pest management.

For more than a decade, Shay Runion, Arrow’s chief human resources officer and senior vice president of professional development, has worked alongside Horner. In that time, she has witnessed her influence, especially on women in the industry.

“Our connection began over 16 years ago at one of my first NPMA women’s events. From the moment we met, she welcomed me with warmth and authenticity, just as she has done for so many others,” Runion said. “Over the years, Marie has guided and supported countless women in pest control, helping them find their voices and places in the industry. She doesn’t just open doors — she stands beside you as you walk through them.

“Her leadership isn’t about titles or recognition, it’s about uplifting others and building a stronger, more inclusive community. That’s the kind of mentor she is, and the kind of leader she continues to be.”

Eve Pappas, vice president of growth at Hoffman’s Exterminating (and a fellow Crown Leadership Award recipient), has worked in the industry for five decades. Hoffman’s partners with Arrow on commercial pest accounts, giving Pappas the opportunity to collaborate with Horner directly, as well as through industry events and committees.

“Marie is an incredible woman, and everything she’s achieved, she’s worked for,” Pappas said. “She’s worked very diligently and very hard, and she’s always put other people first. I’m so happy for all the things she’s accomplished.”

PEER SUPPORTER

Chris Helton is co-owner and vice president of Gibson Pest Control, based in Fletcher, N.C. He met Horner years ago when he became a board member of the North Carolina Pest Management Association. At the time, Horner was the outgoing president, and the pair worked on numerous projects together.

Helton quickly realized she was the kind of professional everyone could depend on.

“I adopted her as a mentor in the industry. She has so much experience, and she’s always been super helpful to me,” Helton said. “She’s affiliated with a much bigger organization than my small, family-owned and-operated business, but even though she has such a busy schedule, she always finds time to help me out.

“Whenever I have a question — whether it’s about an issue I’m having or a new business strategy — she’s all ears. As far as being a mentor, she’s always there for me, and she’s always encouraging me to take the next step in my career.”

David Byrd, owner of Byrd’s Pest Control, Purlear, N.C., first met Horner when the two worked for Terminix-Triad. Horner was an executive at the company at the time. She was sent along with a supervisor to check on a house Byrd was servicing.

“They introduced me to her, and she was dressed in a nice outfit. We started to crawl under the house. I turned around and she was right there with us,” Byrd said. “I’d never met a vice president who would do that but she got right in there and showed me what I needed to look for. It just impressed me because most people in that position would never take the time to do that.”

Byrd said Horner knows pest control operations better than anyone he’s encountered. “Marie doesn’t ask for recognition, but she deserves it 150%. She’s very humble, she enjoys her job and she treats everybody well.”

AN INDUSTRY ADVOCATE

Reflecting on a career that’s still going strong, Horner is deeply appreciative of everything she has achieved in the pest control industry.

“It’s been life-changing,” Horner said. “I’ve actually talked about this so many times in state pest control association we’re in.”

Horner noted that pest control often isn’t top-of-mind as a career path for most people — especially women.

“It’s not something anybody really thinks about when they graduate high school or college — ‘Oh, I want to be in the pest control industry,’” she said. “Yet I discovered there are so many different avenues for career growth. You don’t need a college degree to get started, and I’m constantly recruiting for the industry. The benefits are great, but there’s so much more. There’s human resources, there’s marketing; you can go from inside the office to out in the field as a technician or salesperson.”

Horner compared the field’s flexibility to other trades, noting that opportunities to grow and advance are more accessible in pest control.

“If you go to a plumbing company, you’re always going to be that office person, and it’s hard to get ahead,” she said. “The bugs are a piece of it, but we’re such a people business. Every time you’re talking to a customer, you’re building a relationship, you’re selling the value of your business and you’re helping the company.”

As she continues to inspire others across the pest control industry, Horner’s passion for people and professional growth remains at the heart of her approach to leadership. Her career stands as a testament to what’s possible when dedication, mentorship and opportunity come together in a field that’s so much more than meets the eye.