Tom Forshaw IV

Ask a roomful of people who know Thomas Forshaw IV how he became such a successful business leader — bringing new innovations and capabilities to FORSHAW, building a high-performance team and expanding the distributor to national prominence — and you’re likely to hear one response over and over again: He listens more than he talks.

“When Thomas asks you something, he genuinely wants to know what you’re thinking, whether you’re a customer, employee, colleague or friend,” said Mike Rottler, chairman and CEO, Rottler Pest Solutions, who met Forshaw at the inaugural NPMA Academy meeting in 1995. “More importantly, if you tell him something he doesn’t want to hear, he respects it. He takes the time to understand your perspective, and he really does his best to do the right thing in every situation.”

Forshaw’s listening skills have been pivotal to his professional development as well. He started learning lessons about entrepreneurial challenges and opportunities early in his life as he watched his dad, the late Tom Forshaw III, lead FORSHAW through its second generation of success. Thomas credits Tom III as the role model whose guidance and wisdom shaped him the most, but his appreciation extends to a much broader circle of mentors and friends.

“My father was my primary influence; he emphasized the importance of understanding customer and vendor needs, fostering team success and delivering value,” Forshaw explained. “Within the industry, mentors such as John Whitley, Steve Phillips and many of our trusted customers have also provided me with critical guidance and perspective. Outside the industry, business leaders like Mike Bailey and Tom Ondrof shared strategies for scaling enterprises. These mentors helped me hone my skills in business operations, leadership, human dynamics, problem-solving and proactive decision-making.”

Stanford Phillips, president of Rollins U.S. Brands, said he admires Forshaw’s continuous improvement mindset. “Tom is always challenging himself, whether on his own, working with his coach or connecting with others in the industry. His thirst to continuously learn, improving himself as both a leader and person, is what sets him apart and makes him so successful.”

But it’s not just that, Phillips said. Forshaw’s success also can be attributed to the respect he has earned across the industry: “Tom is a genuine person, an encourager. He takes pride in seeing others do well and other businesses grow,” he added. “The events he holds for his customers are not so much around products or helping him grow his business for the short term; he’s more concerned about helping his customers better themselves and grow for the long term. He has been at the forefront of creating the collaborative networks and environments this industry is known for.”

FROM SURFER DUDE TO CEO

Today, Forshaw leads a business that is the embodiment of generational success. Established by his grandfather, Thomas Forshaw II, in 1961, FORSHAW has grown from its local roots to 11 branches nationwide. It serves pest management companies ranging from small startups to industry titans like Rollins, a partnership Thomas forged in 2023. Yet, when Thomas joined the company as a teen, its potential for phenomenal success wasn’t even on his radar — nor did he envision himself as its future CEO.

“My initial involvement working for FORSHAW was driven by the need to fund a surfboard purchase,” he said. “Then, post-college [Forshaw carried on his father’s legacy by studying at North Carolina State University], I viewed continuing on with the company as a practical career choice.”

As his understanding of the business deepened, so did his commitment. Forshaw proved his value and commitment to the company by working first in warehouse operations and then sales, marketing and management, culminating in his rise to president and his current role of CEO. He brought new perspective to FORSHAW, guiding the development and implementation of innovative processes and tools, including the ForeSight inventory management app. He also has been quick to identify and respond to market needs — notably, opening new locations to broaden FORSHAW’s reach and launching the Wildlife Management Distribution division in 2022.

He has advanced the company in ways that surely would have made his grandfather proud. Bert Dodson Jr., president/CEO, Dodson Pest Control, whose family has ties with FORSHAW dating back to those early days, noted, “Thomas is a relationship person just like his father was, and he has expanded that relationship philosophy further by setting up organization models customized to each large company FORSHAW serves. He has also improved the automation and processes within the company while continuing to prioritize communication, honesty and customer service. For all of its growth in recent years, FORSHAW continues to provide exceptional service to every company, large and small.”

SHAKE UP THE STATUS QUO

As Forshaw advanced through the ranks, his influence grew both within and beyond the family business. According to Galvin Murphy Jr., vice president of sales and marketing, Yankee Pest Control, Forshaw is a visionary who has helped transform the role of distribution in pest management.

“My experience as a younger guy in the industry, when I was in my 20s into my 30s, was that there was a lack of customer service in the warehousing and distribution arena here in New England. PMPs like us would pull up to the warehouse, grab our materials and go on our way,” Murphy said. “FORSHAW changed that. They came in and started helping us with the management side of our businesses. Now it’s engagement on every level in your office, from how you’re operating sales, to how you’re growing middle management, to how you’re executing your vision. Tom and his team empower us to succeed.”

The success of his customers, along with the success of his employees, is what drives Forshaw to continue raising the bar. His commitment to fostering growth and success both within his organization and across the broader industry has been key to FORSHAW’s growth.

“Thomas took his company to the next level at a time when people were saying distribution isn’t what it used to be — that it was a dying business,” Rottler said. “Since then, he has grown it substantially. He doesn’t need to have a warehouse in every city to be competitive; he’s done a great job of navigating how to get product to a customer quickly. His decisions, relationship-building skills and investments in his people have enabled him to scale his business in a smart, sustainable way.”

INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT

Forshaw also is a reliable and influential presence at industry events. Since 2022, he has served on the PPMA board, following prior roles on the NPMA and UPFDA boards, as well as various state-level committees.

“Engaging in industry organizations is important,” said Forshaw. “It can broaden your perspective, introduce you to diverse challenges and drive more innovative thinking. Networking with industry leaders has certainly fostered my own personal and professional growth.”

Phillips, who, among other collaborations with Forshaw, served on the NPMA Business Development Committee with him for many years, said he brings a unique perspective to PMP discussions. “Tom gets to see behind the operations of hundreds of companies. His insights help us think through our own operational issues in ways we may not have considered on our own.”

Those behind-the-scenes insights, combined with the scores of relationships Forshaw has built over the years, make him a welcome addition to projects and meetings of all types. Rottler mentioned a time when Forshaw helped the Associated Pest Services Group bring suppliers into the fold for its meetings. “Thomas was very thoughtful about how to bring operators and suppliers together for meaningful conversations. We were grateful for his involvement,” Rottler said.

Of course, FORSHAW also hosts many of its own events, which provide opportunities for networking as well as information exchange. “At one function, I sat down to have a cup of coffee with a table of guys doing $10, $20, $50, $100 million a year, while our company was still pretty small,” Murphy said. “I learned more from talking with those guys than I would have in a three-month management course. They were in my shoes once, and they remember where they came from. Tom, too. Typically, when you see people become that successful, they aren’t so open, but Tom stays grounded, which sets the stage for everyone to be open, honest and supportive of one another.”

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Within his company, Forshaw is laser-focused on cultivating talent by supporting the personal growth, well-being and professional advancement of everyone on the team. He recognizes that developing and empowering FORSHAW employees offers them the opportunity to fulfill their career goals as they contribute to the collective success of their organization.

“I take immense pride in FORSHAW’s robust culture and dedicated team, evidenced by long-tenured employees and our ability to attract talent from manufacturers. Witnessing team members evolve into leaders within the company, industry and their communities is deeply rewarding,” Forshaw said.

Dodson remarked that Forshaw comes from a family of leaders with servants’ hearts and has an “outstanding servant’s heart” himself. “He has confidence in his team, as he should,” Dodson said. “He has put strong leaders into place, and he empowers them with responsibility.”

Rottler agreed, adding, “His people know he cares about them. He listens to them, gives them room to do their jobs and holds them accountable for the results. He makes it clear that this business requires a high level of service, and he instills a commitment to high standards.”

Forshaw’s servant leadership doesn’t stop with his internal team. He also provides his customers’ teams with resources and support that help them thrive in their roles with their companies and in their communities. Take FORSHAW University, for example. Technicians and business leaders alike can access educational materials to improve their knowledge, performance, productivity and customer satisfaction.

Forshaw also partnered with the national anti-trafficking nonprofit Safe House Project in 2021 to give service technicians across the industry the opportunity to play a role in eliminating child trafficking. Any pest management company can access the free 30-minute training to educate their teams about how to recognize the signs of trafficking in the homes they visit and anonymously report suspicious activity. “By harnessing our industry’s access to restricted areas, we can make a meaningful impact on communities and potentially save lives,” explained Forshaw. “Saving even one child is a victory.”

FAMILY COMMITMENT

In spite of the demands of leading FORSHAW, Thomas remains a family-first kind of guy, placing a high value on the time they spend together. “My wife, Penny, has been my steadfast partner for 30 years, supporting and challenging me to excel. I am profoundly grateful for her unwavering support and encouragement,” he shared. “Together, we have three sons, who are carving their own paths and inspiring us with their independent pursuits. I am so proud of them.”