Residex’s Blog

Peter’s Woods

Darkness pulled a heavy blanket over the chilled mountain air as campfire flames danced with three silhouetted figures against a backdrop of mighty oak trees.  Whispers rolled to a laughter and back to church-pew whispers again.  Step by step the observer drew unsuspectingly near; the whispers were more audible now, and the glow of the flames revealed the detail of their youth.  A step closer and “Crack!” A dead-silence fell over the camp while fright injected a massive dose of adrenaline into its victims.  “What was that?” the brave brother finally probed in a hushed voice.  Their eyes nervously bolted back and forth in an excited search for the unseen intruder.  Their thoughts conjured wild visions of a hungry bear to a crazed axe murderer to a blood thirsty werewolf about to enter the camp.  And suddenly, from their flank, an ominous, towering figure emerged from the darkness, slowly moving towards the three brothers.  “Grandpa!” they screamed in relief as their excitement gradually resolved to calm.  Now with Grandpop by their sides, this would be a fine night for sure.   

Peter Bonsted, the manager of the Residex Blackwood, NJ location, recalls the memories of his annual summer campouts in the mountains of Pennsylvania with his Grandparents as if it happened yesterday.  Now the proud father of three young girls, Peter keeps yesterday’s fond memories of camping alive by infusing the great outdoors experience into his kids.  Aside from creating great experiences with his friends and family, Peter and his Residex Team enjoy creating great experiences for their customers.  Since Peter was raised in a “Pest Control” family, he has a wealth of knowledge and know-how to impart on his customers.  Whether a customer needs help in estimating a tough job, identification of an odd pest, or the job-saving help of repairing a piece of critical equipment, Peter stands ready to serve, and at 6’3”, he stands pretty tall.  This gentle giant can’t only fix the most complex mechanical problem the industry can manage; he can fix one mean campfire smore, and he’ll give you a choice of chocolate too, milk or dark.

One of Peter’s bigger strengths is his ability to diagnose and repair equipment; he is like having our own Doctor House around, only with a much nicer bedside manner.  Peter’s mechanical talents date back to his youth and teen years when he was always fixing things in the garage.  The one thing that excites Peter more than a Bigfoot sighting on a camping trip is the rumble of a finely tuned vintage 8-cylinder engine.  Peter has owned a few “bad” machines in his day as well, and he’d be happy to share all of the finer details over a hot coffee or a cold drink.  Usually mechanics are not thought of as artistic; although many would argue that point, and Peter is proof that one can be both mechanically and artistically inclined.   Pete’s secret hideaway, (now no longer a secret), is a small art studio in his basement.  There he can be found working on a sketch, a sculpture, stipple art, a painting or some deep writing.  Some ink works have taken Peter 40 to 60 hours to complete, and with the demands of a family, house and job, there just isn’t enough time in a day to dedicate to this passion of his.  But from time to time, he steals a minute or two, which turns to hours to allow his creative mind to flow.

Creativity flows at the Blackwood Office as Peter consults with his customers to resolve complex business and technical issues, develops unique ways for customers to gain new business and earn more money, helps create logo designs and paperwork layouts, or designs and builds a unique and improved treatment tool.  Managing one of the busiest locations for Residex, it is sometimes hard to catch a break in the action, but in those rare moments when calm is restored, Peter’s mind drifts off to his childhood and he vividly recalls his time in the Pennsylvania woods. 

Pine Creek flows through the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, and some time ago three brothers and their Grandfather stood high above the gorge in the early morning light, as the cool mountain mist filled the valley with a violet glow, as the heat thermals began to rise, lifting a red-tail hawk high above them, as the warmth of the sun rising above the peak began to sink into their souls, they realized the awesome power of nature and understood why they loved this place so much.   These were Peter’s woods with night awash by a dazzling star-scape festooned with fireflies in the air; earthy smells of burning oak and hickory bellow from a crackling fire; the jubilation of youth and the serenity of maturity meld as one; tales of fright, legend and fun entertain; searing marshmallows transform to caramel brown.  And with sun the dragonflies jettisoned along the creek surface in streaks and pauses; the native brookies huddle at the edge of clear pools; the waterfall compresses droplets of water into refreshing coolness against the summer heat; activity and discovery lead the day to night.  Ah the anticipated night!  These were Peter’s woods.

Opposing Forces

Sir Isaac Newton developed the Three Laws of Motion.  Newton is considered the greatest physicist of all time and his theories of motion allowed for the technologic advancement of mankind.  Nearly 300 years after the birth of Newton, a baby was born in Gloucester City, NJ, and since his birth, Newton’s Laws of Motion have played a big role in his life.  Gary Marcucci, Residex’s Customer Advocate, and formerly Regional Sales Manager for NJ, PA and DE, was born on June 6^th, D-Day, a day where one of Newton’s laws was tested.  “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”  Well maybe this is a stretch of the law as it applies to D-Day, because in fact the Allied Forces’ reaction on D-Day was not equal to the action of the Nazi’s; it was overwhelming!  And thus, by the chance of his birth date falling on such a historic date in American and World history, Gary would adopt the modified Newton law of, “For every action there will be an overwhelming reaction.”  Let’s rename this law “Passion”.

Passion is something that Gary Marcucci wears on his sleeve at home, at work and at play.  Gary’s passion to excel in life and to help others reach their goals and dreams has been a daily pursuit for much of his life.  Gary leaves nothing on the table, and he firmly believes that if you aren’t fully engaged in an activity, then you might as well step away from it.  Aside from his family, there are two big loves of his life; the Pest Control Industry and his bicycle, and there is a big connection between both.  In the NJ, PA and DE marketplaces, Gary might be known as the greatest PMP advocate ever.  Hell!  “Might be”; he is!  His tenacious never, never, never give up attitude has helped many Tri-State area pest control companies grow their businesses and make them more profitable and efficient.  He has selflessly defended and supported the industry at the local, state and national levels, dedicating his time and resource to this cause for his entire career.  And how does his bike play into all of this?  Well in 1986, Gary rode his bike from the Liberty Bell in Philly to the convention in Atlanta in support of the National Pest Control Association (raising $18,000); that’s a lot of money for 1986, and 800 miles in 7 days is very impressive!  That brings us to another one of Newton’s Laws of Motion.

“For an object at rest to change, a force must act upon it.”  In his prime, Gary was the Lance Armstrong, or better yet, the Greg LeMond of the distribution world, both athletically and professionally.  While Gary is a huge fan of Lance, it was Greg LeMond, 1986 Tour de France winner, who inspired him to take up the sport of cycling.  And aside from Greg’s influence, the real reason was that he bought a new 10 speed for his daughter Jennifer in 1986, and she didn’t like it, so he rode it instead.  Gary applied an “all-out force” to Jennifer’s “resting” new bike and put it in motion.   Achy, exhausted yet exhilarated, Gary caught the cycling fever.  This sport fit Gary’s personality like a custom-made suit; it was challenging, competitive, required discipline and commitment, and all of those traits were innately part of Gary’s make up.  A make up that was formed some time ago on the rough streets of Gloucester City, NJ.  Gloucester City was and still is a blue-collar row home town that sits on the east bank of the Delaware River in the shadow of the refineries and the flyway of Philly’s airport.  His father, Raphael, a first generation Italian and his mother, Dorothy of early American Irish descendents, both with a solid work ethic and high moral standards had a powerful and lasting influence on the man that Gary is today.  Raphael’s jobs as barkeep and tire salesman led Gary to his profession in the Pest Control Industry and he has no regrets of that decision.  Newton’s law as modified by Gary: “A body must meet opposing forces head on.”  Let’s rename this law “Energy”.      

“Always do the right thing.  If you have to question it, then it is not the right thing.”, simple words to live by, passed on from his parents.   Along with this mantra comes personal responsibility, and combined, this is a powerful recipe for Success.   Opposing forces are not only studied in physics books, but they are a big part of reality.  In life, there are opposing forces of Good and Evil, Right and Wrong, Success and Failure and Yin and Yang.  In the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, there is Chi, the grounding or centering force, and in Gary’s life, Phyllis has been his Chi.  Phyllis, who is well-known by many within the industry, has fostered a big part of his success. 

The final Law of Motion is “Objects tend to keep on doing what they are doing unless opposed by unbalanced forces.”  Gary believes that this law presents the biggest danger to businesses and professionals alike because without change there is no progress, no creativity, no challenge and no success.  Gary’s final revision of Newton’s Laws is “A body must stay in motion, only resting to restore energy.”  Let’s rename this law”Dynamic”.  Since Gary likes to see others succeed, he is glad to share his winning formula with his teammates, friends, family and customers.  Gary’s formula is: Dynamic Force = Passion x Energy.  Gary Marcucci is certainly a Dynamic Force in the Industry who continuously faces the forces of change and meets the challenges in life and business head-on with a high level of passion and energy.  Proudly Pest Control, Proudly Residex, Proudly Gary Marcucci.    

PS:  I think he really bought the bike for himself back in ’86.      

The Ratcatcher’s Daughter

Inheritance usually signifies the exchange of wealth and riches from one generation to the next.  Many times when the succeeding generation inherits unearned wealth and riches, they squander that which they did not earn.  Kathryn “Kitty” Lee inherited something greater than financial riches when she became immersed in her father’s trade as a very young child.  Kitty is the daughter of Lorna Bertino, a librarian to this day, and Mike Bertino, a man with legendary roots in the pest control industry.  But this story isn’t about Kitty’s father; it is about a young girl whose father introduced her to the pest control industry, creating the spark that fuels her passion for her chosen profession today.  Kitty is Residex and she manages the Hicksville, Long Island location, and lives her job like she owns the place.  While Kitty is still a young woman, she has almost as many years of experience in pest control as she does in years on this planet.  Of course her age is a secret.  OK! She is 32.  The one thing that defines whether or not someone will succeed in a chosen profession is whether or not they love their job.  Kitty truly loves her job!  She wears her passion and enthusiasm for her customers, for the industry, for her Team and for Residex like a dazzling jeweled evening gown; she cares about them and is proud of them all.

Passion and enthusiasm!  Just ask any one of her customers, supplier representatives or Teammates about Kitty, and the two common words they use to define her are passionate and enthusiastic.  Where did she get such a passion and enthusiasm for the industry?  Well legend has it that when she was 2 feet tall, Dr. Austin Frishman, an industry legend in his own right and friend of Kitty’s dad, read her nursery rhymes about cockroaches and rats.  From there on Kitty developed a profound interest in learning everything she could about the many pests, products and regulations of our industry.  “Without knowledge and experience, passion and enthusiasm are just nice qualities.”  Kitty is the complete package when it comes to serving as an information resource for her customers.  Customers throughout the New York area and beyond depend on Kitty’s expertise and knowledge to help them be safe, effective and better professionals.  Kitty is also a true proactive advocate for the industry, and she is ever watchful for trends, events, issues and regulations that might hurt the reputation and progress of pest management professionals.  Kitty’s thirst for pest-related knowledge has earned her a NYS certification, A.I.B. certification, wildlife license and most proudly, her recent A.C.E.  All of these certifications along with her expertise and experience including LIPCA Education Committee for 18 years, Associate Director, NYSPMA for the last 7 years and Cornell IPM Committee member for the last 4 years make her one powerful resource for any customer.

Education was always a big part of Kitty’s life and she earned her college degree from Brockport College in upstate NY.  Aside from smart, Kitty is talented as well.  In her earlier years and all through college, she was trained in professional dance.  As a senior in high school she was good enough to get an audition for Bob Fossi’s Broadway Show, Dancin’.  And for those who have not yet visited the Residex Hicksville location, it is a “must see” on the old bucket list of life.  Kitty and her Team have turned the customer area into a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not-style pest museum including some of the coolest stuff you’ll ever see in any museum.    Residex is blessed to have Kitty on the Team, and the New York pest professionals are fortunate to have such a dedicated advocate and information resource as one of their peers.  There is a word in the Residex Mission statement that has its roots in Hicksville, and that word is Alacrity, and it best describes our Kitty who lives this word daily, “a cheerful willingness to serve”.  In the Residex dictionary the name Kitty and the word Alacrity are synonymous.  “Legend in the Making”.

He began his climb of the ever-ascending roadway that unfolded before him in a series of sharp turns and steep rises leading the way to a concealed summit high in the Georgia Mountains.  Minutes passed like hours as muscle exertion converted to a slow, yet determined assault of the mountain while gravity continued its tortuous pull behind him.  As a soaking rain attempted to dampen his will to continue his greatest century ride ever, Jason tapped into his driving force, the critics: those who said “he can’t do it”.  Out of the saddle and hard on the pedals, Jason hammered his way to the top.  “Tell me I can’t do it, and I will prove my critics wrong.”  Jason Fleming, Residex’s Technical Sales Representative of Longwood, Florida, enjoys a physical and mental challenge, especially one that others believe he is incapable of completing.  Jason enjoys the challenges of long distance cycling and he has completed 8 century rides of 100 miles or more in a single day with his fastest time logged thus far at 5 hours and 23 minutes.

Determined and committed, Jason and his Residex Team are always ready and willing to accept the toughest challenges that their customers present, and they are eager to find or create lasting solutions.  Aside from his willingness to serve the needs of his customers, Jason is downright respectful and friendly.  These character traits are deeply rooted in his upbringing in the small citrus and farming community of Winter Garden, FL.  Jason’s fondest memories of Winter Garden date back to the 70’s when the town was still a picture-perfect vision of “Small Town USA”.  His boyhood days were filled with the things he loved to do like bird hunting in his backyard and the surrounding fields, riding his horse in the open countryside, exploring the woods on his enduro motorcycle, family gatherings at grandma’s house, and fishing the many ponds and lakes near his home.  While the 1970’s were memorable years for Jason, the 70’s not only formed a generational attitude, the 70’s transformed sleepy Central Florida into the sprawling suburban development that it is today. 

In 1970, Walt Disney World Resorts opened their gates for business in the Lake Buena Vista area, a near neighboring area to Winter Garden.  Winter Garden and most towns along the Interstate 4 (I-4), which connects Daytona Beach to Tampa, began to boom and didn’t slow until recent times.  As a young boy, this wasn’t such a bad thing to have Disney World in your backyard, Wow! What kid wouldn’t want that?  Jason’s backyard was now a front row seat to Disney World’s nightly spectacular fireworks show.  Country roadways were yielding to congested highways and interstates, citrus groves and vegetable farms were tilled under one last time to accommodate the newest bumper crop of sub-division homes, apartment complexes and strip shopping malls as Disney’s influence on commercial development continued to grow.  Today much of the old country charm of Winter Garden is gone; however Jason continues to reside in the very neighborhood where he was raised.  One thing that hasn’t changed is Jason’s set of values that he formed as a boy in “Old” Winter Garden.

Recently Jason put his desire to attain lofty goals to the test again when he ran the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in January of 2009.  This was Jason’s first attempt to run a long distance race (13.1 miles), and during his training period he faced many personal and physical setbacks along the way.  Once again, despite the critics and a nagging injury, he lined up at 6AM with his Residex Teammates and began a mental and physical journey into unknown territory.  This race was dedicated to a deceased Residex family member, Linda Moran, so the need to finish was beyond his personal goals; this was a “must do” challenge.  As expected, Jason finished the race exhausted and limping, but the pain was minimized by the overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment.   This “must do/can do” mindset is the same attitude that Jason brings to his customers when they are in need of help or wish to improve their business model.  So when in search for a training partner, one who can help attain seemingly impossible goals, look to Jason whether it is a 100 mile century ride, running your first distance race or transitioning your business to an efficient and profitable model.   Jason will be there and he won’t give up until success has been achieved.

The crisp autumn air blankets the valley beneath a rising mid-morning sun.  The distant mountain ridge soothes the eye with an array of colored leaves in a calico-quilted display.  People congregate in mass, 100,000 strong and growing as time advances the day.  There is a mood of excitement and anticipation as gentle conversation reaches a crescendo roar.  Shared pride and tradition accelerate to passion and unleashed enthusiasm.  And there amongst it all stands a man adorned in Blue and White engaging and entertaining all he meets.  This is Happy Valley, Penn State Football and truly Nirvana for a man named Tom Algeo and the 100,000 strong that align as one on this glorious day.

Aside from bleeding Blue and White, Tom’s driving force is his competitive spirit and his desire to succeed despite the obstacles thrown his way.  As Joe Pa once said, “It’s the name on the front of the jersey that matters most, not the one on the back.”  This is a mantra that Tom lives by for his family, his friends, Residex and his customers.  Just like Joe Paterno can be counted on to produce world-class linebackers for the NFL, Tom can be counted on to produce revolutionary business ideas for his Residex customers.  Tom’s high-level of creativity dates back to his days at Penn State when he majored in architecture.  He likes to design plans with potentially big outcomes, and that is the real value he delivers to his customers on a regular basis.

Yo Algeo!  A nice Italiano boy from South Philly right?  Well not exactly, he was born in Upper Darby, a near suburb of Philly, but his roots are Irish and linked to a Spaniard shipwreck off of the coast of Donegal, Ireland.  Three Irish lasses share Tom’s cottage in Delaware County, his wife and his two daughters.  Tom has dedicated 8 years of his personal time to coaching kids associated with CYO sports; another 60 years of coaching and he might surpass his idol Joe Paterno.  Sports are a big part of the Algeo Family lifestyle from Phillies to Flyers to Eagles to 76ers to Villanova to his own involvement in golf, football, baseball, basketball and hockey.  Yet there remains a team that has captured his heart and soul, and there is a game day chant that says it all. 

We Are! … PENN STATE!        

From a town known as Levittown, Long Island

Lived a boy with his future in his hands

And his pursuit of the American Dream

Made him a legend with his team

East and west of the Rio Grande 

Levittown was considered the 8^th wonder of the world in the 1950’s as this iconic working class subdivision was the first of its kind in America.  Over 17,000 homes were built on a diseased potato field from 1947 to 1951; Levittown offered Americans their first taste of suburban living.  The famous piano man, Billy Joel, was born in the Bronx and raised in Hicksville, the site of Residex’s Long Island location and the home base of Residex’s Rick Allen, Technical Sales Representative.   

The concept of Levittown-style living led to the ideal of the “Great American Dream”.   Rick’s value set was formed by his parents and the influences of community living.  Levittown-living was all about building long-lasting relationships, love of family and the pursuit of advancing the next generation.  Rick and his friends loved the thrill of adventure, and as a kid living in suburbia, there were many things to explore.  On their Schwinn stingray bicycles with raised handle bars and sloping banana seats, the kids of Levittown explored the nearby creeks, woods and parks.  Life as a kid was good in Levittown in the 1960’s, and today life  for Rick is still an adventure-in-living from surfing big reef waves in Puerto Rico to running with the bulls in Spain with some of his old pals from Levittown.

The adventurer spirit followed Rick into his professional career, and soon after attending Virginia Tech where he played Division 1 soccer and earned a degree in agronomy, he worked his way into the Pest Control Profession, where he soon found himself high atop the Hell Gate Suspension Bridge, which spans the East River between Queens and Randall’s Island, 1000 feet above the water at its pinnacle.  This was the “cold turkey” method of curing a phobia because Rick had a real fear of heights.  Rick had to reach deep into his value set to allow him to meet the daunting challenge he faced.  You see, there was a customer on the other end of this request, and Rick stood up to the challenge and to his fear of heights in order to help his customer secure a crucial bird job. 

Long-lasting, loyal relationships…something Rick embraced long ago on the streets of Levittown…something today that drives Rick to go places others in his profession dare not go…something today that will be there tomorrow and long into the future for his family, his friends and his customers.  Rick is constantly investing in the learning process so he can better serve his customers as witnessed by his Certified Entomologist credentials.  He has spent many years at building a successful business model for the Residex Hicksville and Elmsford locations, and his real joy comes from helping his customers do the same.  

They say that music can transport a person back to a specific time and place in the very instant a song is heard.  Billy Joel’s music does that for Rick and a song like “The Ballad of Billy the Kid” instantly takes him back to the streets of Levittown, hanging out with his friends while enthusiastically discussing their next adventure soon to come.   Rick is always ready and willing to tackle the toughest pest control adventures that his customers can offer, and he takes on those challenges with the same level of enthusiasm and excitement as he did as the boy from Levittown along with his friends.

And his daring bridge climb

Made him a legend in his time

East and west of the Rio Grande

This man is as comfortable on a forklift as he is in a pulpit.  It is Lee Roper of course, Residex’s preacher man and Central Warehouse Manager located in Cranford, NJ.  Lee is a virtuous man with a calm demeanor who always has a kind word and an extended hand for his fellow human being.  But there is a competitive side to Lee that few know about, and he likes to be on a winning team.  “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”-Frederick Douglas-  These are words that Lee lives by, and he realizes that challenges and obstacles are a normal part of life and business, and he is geared to meet the challenges and hurdle the obstacles with a winning conviction.

On any Sunday morning you’ll find Lee and his wife Debbie passionately delivering the word of God to their parishioners in Jersey City.  And on any Sunday afternoon in the Fall, you’ll find Lee in front of the tube or at Giants Stadium watching his favorite football team and praying for another win.  The Giants have had their ups and downs over the years, and Lee has remained a loyal fan no matter how they fair each year.  Loyalty runs deep with Lee and he is a faithful husband, a father of 4 daughters, a dedicated Residex teammate, and a true American patriot. 

 When duty calls, Lee will be there for his family, his parishioners, his customers and his country. “To conserve fighting strength”, the motto of the US Army Medical Corps.  Lee honorably served in the US Army as a Medical Technician and his role was to keep the troops healthy and ready for action.  And this man of devotion is compelled to protect the best interests of Residex’s customers and his teammates in 16 locations by making sure they receive the service and products they need to get the job done, just as he did in the Army.  Lee subordinates his status as a manager to the needs of his customers and teammates, so it isn’t unusual to see him unloading a tractor trailer, covering the customer counter, driving the delivery truck or whatever it takes to keep progress moving forward for all.  Abraham Lincoln once said that “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow.  The shadow is what we think of it;  the tree is the real thing.”  Within the walls of Residex, a mighty oak tree stands.       

Legends say a demon lurks in these woods

Near where its birthplace home once stood

My body trembles with uncontrollable fright

On a still and humid summer’s night

As a young boy “these woods” were his backyard and site for adventure and fun, the New Jersey Pine Barrens of course, the home of the legendary Jersey Devil and of Residex’s Chris Brower.  Chatsworth, NJ also known as the Capital of the Pine Barrens by the local “Pineys” sits in the heart of this beautiful yet mysterious 1 million acre federal land reserve.  Aside from cranberry bogs, blueberry fields, pine trees and the hideous winged beast, the Pine Barrens is the home of rare carnivorous plants such as sundew and pitcher plants, which ensnare unsuspecting insects with their attractive scents and digestive juices. 

Chris knows these woods like a well-traveled roadway because he is an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman.  Chris is also real familiar with the roadways and highways of the Eastern United States as he logs tens of thousands of miles each year in his journeys to train, cover and troubleshoot at Residex’s 17 locations.  Chris ensures that our operations are efficiently run and that our managers are ready to meet the needs of our customers.  He is a true road-warrior, living out of a suitcase about 150+ nights per year.  Dedicated to excellence and loyal as they come, Chris bleeds Residex red, and as a veteran of the National Guard he also bleeds red, white and blue. 

Chris’s travel schedule has its limitations on his personal life, and he can’t participate in all of the activities he once did when in a more stationary job.  This self-taught golfer was athletically skilled enough to work his handicap down to an impressive 7.  At 6 foot 7 inches tall, Chris’s drive was something to behold and often in the 300+ yard range.  Power wasn’t his only skill as he showed finesse and accuracy on and around the putting green.  Today, Chris chooses fishing over golf and this man can fish.  He and his son enter about 35 fishing tournaments per year, and they often win or place by landing lunker citation fish.  So whether you need advice on the proper treatment to control termites, the right lure to hook a citation bass or how to avoid the Jersey Devil when visiting the Pine Barrens, then Chris is the man to call and he’d be happy to help you.  

Paralyzing chills run down my spine

I pray to the heavens high above the pines

A darting shadow passes within my sight

On a still and humid summer’s night   

Click here for full version of the Jersey Devil Poem

“Integrity is doing the right thing even when nobody is looking.” That is one hardcore value; forged in steel. Pittsburgh Steel that is! There are two values that George Palek, native Blairsville, PA resident, holds dear to his heart: Integrity and Respect. Western Pennsylvanians have a rich history in defining the values that made America great. From the coalmines to the railroads to the steel mills and the river ways, the men and women of Blairsville literally supplied the fabric of American modernization. These people are tough, dedicated, respectful and hard-working folks with deep patriotic roots. And these are the traits, values and principles that drive George to meet the needs of his Residex customers, family and friends.
Aside from a strong belief system, George is good at carving things. In his younger years, as a ski instructor, he once carved his way down double black diamond ski trails at Seven Springs Ski Resort. But there is another kind of carving where George’s talent and artistry shine brightly, and that is his ability to build and carve beautiful things out of wood. Prior to his career with Residex, George was a finish carpenter where he created the defining details on the homes of the rich and famous in Park City, Utah. Reputation means everything in the high-end carpentry trade, and George was known as one of the best in the trade. Reputation means everything in the pest control industry, and George has earned the respect and friendship of his Residex customers because he makes good on his promises and he always delivers business-improving value.
Like some of George’s wooden creations made so many years ago in Utah, he is a fixture at Residex, which provides the character and style of the Monroeville location. Just like the master carpenter in “This Old House”, George can help his customers restore their businesses with new and exciting offerings while retaining the core character of that which made them successful in the past. A perfect blend of traditional and new is the mark of a true craftsman. From the router to the putter, George can be found on the greens of his favorite country club sinking 30 footers for birdie with the steadiness and precision required of a master carpenter. Arnold Palmer has been known to watch with envy from the high ground of Latrobe, PA also the home of Rolling Rock beer. Rolling Rock beer is famous for the mysterious number “33” found on the bottles, and it has been said that George knows the answer to this mystery. So if Yinz want the answer, head on over to Residex located in Monroeville, PA.

Florida legend has it that two great men of the wilderness crossed paths deep within an unnamed Florida swamp, one Crocodile Dundee and the other Residex’s Pete Elbert.  The great Croc Hunter brandished his 10 inch bowie knife with impressive speed and handling skills, when Pete was heard to say “That’s not a knife, now this is a knife!” as he slung his 2 foot chainsaw from his back and into his hands.  “Crikey!” were the last words ever heard from Dundee.  These kinds of stories are not unheard of in the North Central Florida woods as Pete is often seen hand-towing a canoe through the rough and unexplored woods, rivers and swamps near his home, and as always, his faithful chainsaw is slung across his back.  This is no ordinary man; this is a man at one with nature, and at home in the presence of alligators, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes and wild hogs.  Oh, and how can we forget, Insects and Spiders.

For most of Pete’s life he has made a living in the pest control business from working in the wholesale fumigation industry to working in the family business to running his own distribution business to now extending his many years of knowledge and experience to the customers he serves at Residex.  Aside from a vast knowledge of every aspect of pest control both in the structural and turf industries, Pete also has a passion and a talent for photography.  And Insect photography is his favorite kind because the subject matter poses a challenge in capturing the image that best reveals the insect’s complexities and beauty.  Pete is skilled and patient enough as a photographer that he has one heck of a collection of insect photos that he loves to share with people inside and outside of the industry.

Pete’s real dedication lies with his efforts to help promote and grow the value of the pest and turf management industry.  Just as Crocodile Dundee once did before that fateful day, Pete is known to do a “walkabout” throughout Florida in his diesel-fueled 4-wheel drive as he calls on his customers, large and small, bearing information and experience to assist them with their growth goals.  Pete has always been a goal-oriented and driven person, and as a younger teenager he nearly made the US Olympic Judo Trials.  Had he not run out of funding, there is no doubt he would have made it.  This same drive and dedication that Pete had in athletic competition still exists in his enthusiasm and passion to help others succeed in business.  Give Pete a call and ask him to tell you a few stories of the Florida backwoods.  And as for Crocodile Dundee, they say he’s resting easy in Australia and vowed to stay out of the Florida swamps.