Industry Colleagues Honor ‘Doc’ Nichols at Luncheon

WINTER PARK, Fla. — Phillip “Doc” Nichols is a beloved figure in the pest management industry. He is so highly regarded, in fact, that a group of his longtime industry colleagues recently hosted a luncheon in his honor at Ruth’s Chris steakhouse in Winter Park, Fla., where they took time out of their busy schedules to let Nichols know how much he means to them, as well as acknowledge his numerous contributions to the pest management industry.

The luncheon, attended by nearly 50 family members, friends and business associates, was sponsored by BASF, DuPont Professional Products, RJM Contracting and NPD Products Ltd.

“There are a handful of people in every industry who have earned the right to be called an industry icon and Phil ‘Doc’ Nichols is one of those people,” said Michael Howe, president of NPD Products, Ontario, Canada. “Professionally, he’s worked tirelessly on behalf of the industry, and personally he’s been extremely generous to me. He’s been a very good friend.”

“Doc is such a great guy,” added Ray Meyers, president of RJM Contracting, Lake Mary, Fla. “He won’t draw any attention to himself, so his friends had to do it for him and thank him for his years of hard work, industry dedication and perhaps most of all, his friendship.”

The luncheon was a complete surprise to Nichols, who had no idea he was being honored. In fact, he thought it was just another day at the office — or perhaps more accurately in the field — for the veteran technical director. Here’s how the “top secret” event took place. Nichols received a call from Bob Hickman, BASF market development specialist, who told Nichols he wanted him to check out the results of a field trial in the Orlando area, but he would have to sign a confidentiality agreement before proceeding. Nichols agreed, but en route to the field site they passed a Ruth’s Chris steakhouse in Winter Park, Fla., prompting Hickman to say, “I heard on the Sean Hannity radio show that if on the last day of the month you walk into a Ruth’s Chris restaurant and tell the maitre d’, ‘I’m a great American,’ you’ll get a $50 gift certificate for your next visit. Do you want to stop?” Never one to pass up a good deal, Nichols agreed and entered the restaurant with Hickman, where he was led to where “they keep the gift certificates” and greeted with applause and cheers by the assembled group of family, friends and industry colleagues.

Upon entering the room and listening to the kind words said about him, Nichols said he had no idea something was afoot. “You did a great job of sneaking around,” he said.

Among those colleagues in attendance were former PCT Professional of the Year Chuck Steinmetz; Dr. Claude Thomas of B&G Equipment Co.; Dr. Clay Scherer of DuPont Professional Products, Joe Hughes of BASF; Bruce Ryser of FMC Professional Solutions; and PCO Jim Maurer, just to name a few.

Chuck Steinmetz, Nichols’ former boss at All America Termite & Pest Control, Orlando, Fla., was particularly complimentary of Nichols. Although they didn’t always agree on everything, Steinmetz said, they had a mutually respectful business relationship. “I’ve always enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Doc,” he said. “He’s unique because he knows how to add the technical expertise to a business plan. That’s why we worked so well together.”

In closing, Steinmetz turned to Nichols and said, “You’re really a worthy person. You’ve never done anything you had to be ashamed of. I’m proud of you and what you’ve accomplished.”

Greg Clendenin, former president at Middleton Lawn & Pest Control, Orlando, Fla., was unable to attend the luncheon due to a family illness, but sent an e-mail to Nichols that was read at the event. “During the greatest of the glory days of Middleton, Doc was a great right-hand man,” he wrote. “Doc always represented us well and in the most professional way,” describing Nichols as a “great family man and a great American.”

“Doc has meant so much to the industry and to our company, B&G Equipment Co,” added Claude Thomas. “He looks at things from a different perspective. It’s always been invaluable working with Doc.”

Also in attendance was Nichols’ wife of 32 years, Mary, who he met while attending graduate school at Mississippi State University, as well as his parents, Ben and Christine. His son, Christopher, and his wife, Stephanie, also attended the luncheon, as did his infant grandsons, Quin and Ian, and his sister Tina Goolsby and her husband, Jay.

Following all of the tributes from his colleagues and hugs from his family, Nichols, who had been diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year and has responded well to treatment, said, “I’m going to cherish this moment forever. It has been a heckuva ride. I’ve really enjoyed it (his career) and I’m going to keep on doing it.”