What’s the Buzz?
Smart Operations Manager, Anticimex, Marshfield, MA
How did you get started in the industry?
I applied to a position as an observational biologist for a pest control company in the Boston area in 2015. During my interview, I realized that the position was a service technician role. Although skeptical at first, I quickly grew to love helping customers solve complex pest problems and recognized the potential to continually learn and grow within the company and industry.
Did you have any mentors along the way?
Absolutely. I thank John Stellberger for welcoming me into the industry and teaching me how to think outside the (bait) box. I thank Brian Alexson for years of leadership coaching and development. I thank Dana Cote for his mastery of servant leadership and for being a constant source of inspiration. And lastly, I thank my father for teaching me the value of hard work and for always believing in me.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t rock the boat.
What life skill do you wish you had cultivated or were better at?
Networking! This is a work in progress, and I will continue to force myself to go outside my comfort zone to improve. I admire people who can strike up a meaningful conversation with anyone.
What are you most excited about these days?
Digital pest management. I live and breathe this every day in my current role and am thrilled about the industry-wide adoption and integration of digital pest control devices to deliver a better service and more valuable customer experience.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
My boss seems to believe I would be a great assassin. PSA: I am not an assassin. But I do take that to mean he must think I have the potential to be notoriously efficient, imaginative, observant and legendary.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
I have a pet bunny who I adore. He free roams in the house and coexists with my dogs. And to the skeptics reading this—yes, bunnies make amazing pets!
Describe yourself in three words.
Determined, thoughtful and down-to-earth.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Plan for the future, but most importantly, live in the moment!
What would your superpower be?
Reading minds to know how people truly feel and what they think.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Amy Poehler.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Ordering an M&M McFlurry on GrubHub even though there’s a McDonalds five minutes down the road.
What’s the most useless talent you have?
Chucking spears! I threw javelin in college.
What’s one thing you had to learn the hard way?
I will never get over the smell of decaying rodents and clearing out traps. While I did this daily for years on my route and told myself I would eventually get used to it, the odor never ceases to amaze me. I envy the people who don’t bat an eye (or plug a nose) and confess that every time I am in this situation, I repeat positive affirmations in my head. I am strong, I am protecting public health, I GOT THIS!
Describe your perfect day.
The day where your only ‘plan’ is to hang out with close friends and family. Preferably, outside and laughing uncontrollably around a campfire. Oh, and with pizza.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
What’s for dinner?
What’s heavily played on your music playlist right now?
Noah Kahan, The Head and the Heart, Tyler Childers and Taylor Swift. Yes, I am a proud ‘Swiftie.’
How do you start your day?
A large cup of coffee. Or three.
What’s your favorite holiday?
Christmas Eve, filled with global cheer, excitement and anticipation. Plus, an excuse to watch the Grinch for the 45th time.
Where was the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Saariselka, Finland for my honeymoon. Northern lights, dog sledding and snowmobiling galore! Highly recommend.
