Page 170 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2024

FINAL SAY
GORDON L.
REDD, JR.
President, Redd Pest Solutions
As I begin my retirement from Redd Pest Solutions, I think about the family legacy that has shaped my life. My parents moved from Jackson to Gulfport in 1951 for Redd Pest to open a territory in South Mississippi. Redd Pest Control was started around 1946 by dad’s older brother, J. C. Redd, and my dad.
I attended Harding University for the purpose of returning
to Gulfport to eventually own the company I love. My love for Redd Pest is because of the proud heritage established and because of the employees, many who worked for my father or me for over 30, 40, or 50 years. One of our most loyal team members retired with 54 years of tenure to Redd. I was four years old when he began working for my father. He later finished his long tenure with me as the owner.
I’ve loved working closely with my daughter, Bevin, and her husband, Eddie Brewer, my son Trey Redd, and grandson Tripp Brewer over the past few years. It was my happiest time in the family business. I can sleep easy at night knowing that Redd Pest Solutions is in capable hands. Bevin and Eddie have two wonderful children, Isabella and Tripp, who are also in line for succession. Tripp is currently employed as Director of Quality Assurance, marking the fourth generation of the family to be involved in the business. Trey Redd works in property and inventory.
Some local pest control companies say they have a long history, but that’s because they bought an older company. Redd can truly celebrate that we have been in business on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for 73 continuous years under one family. Redd also has brick and mortar locations in Jackson and Natchez.
In 2004, my son-in-law Eddie Brewer and I changed the business name from Redd Pest Control to Redd Pest Solutions. Solutions is a word that instills confidence that Redd Pest can work with a customer to provide solutions for betterment of lifestyle.
We develop trust with our customers because our representative may be the only person who goes behind the counter of the bank, in the deli of the supermarket, behind the bar of a lounge, in the secure areas of homeland-security-type facilities and, most importantly, into homes. We look for integrity, commitment,
dedication, sincerity and good behavior in our personnel. Changing technology makes the 3rd and 4th generations of
Redd ownership very important. They have the same dedication to the company my uncle, dad and I had, but also have knowledge in the newer technology to give customers a WOW service experience.
My industry roles included board positions in the National Pest Management Association and the Mississippi Pest Control Association including serving as president of the MPCA. I am continuing board service with Coast Electric Power Association and as a market board member of Hancock Whitney Bank. I was honored to receive the Mississippi Coast Chamber Tapestry Award and the Small Business Executive Award; the National Leadership Award by Pest Control Technology Magazine; recognition as Pest Management Professional of the Year; and induction into the Mississippi Pest Control Association Hall of Fame.
My wife of 52 years, Donna, and I love being with our family, but we plan some RV travels to see what we call the ‘in-between of America.’ Donna as a hospital nurse for over 30 years and myself as a small business owner have mostly worked and not seen these places.
170 | November 2024
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