Get to Know Phil Thomason
Phil Thomason
Vice President of Support Services
Waynes Pest Control
Birmingham, Alabama
How did you get started in the industry?
I owned a commercial cleaning company for 11 years, sold it and reached out to a friend at Waynes to see if they had any opportunities. My first position was as a sales professional.
Did you have any mentors along the way? Who, and how did they impact your career path?
Eric Frye, a former owner of Waynes, really walked along beside me to guide me through the pest industry. He always pushed me toward opportunities to help serve the customer and our team as a whole. As my career at Waynes progressed, Trey Strickland became someone I could bounce ideas off, use his knowledge and build processes together to strengthen our team. We called it "iron sharpening iron" as we both saw it as a chance to grow and serve others.
What’s the biggest learning experience you’ve had?
After working in sales, I moved into a role giving me a chance to put all of our policies and procedures on paper. We called it "The Waynes Way," which allowed me to learn a lot about the "Why, What and the How" we serve and the impact of our Shield’s core values of Integrity, Courage, Perseverance and Character.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t have any regrets. If an opportunity is in front of you, weigh the positives and negatives and make a decision to experience life, grow and become a better person.
What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To play it safe. You have to be bold and be a risk-taker at times.
What’s your secret talent?
There are so many…ha ha! Grilling wings, sports trivia, line dancing.
What life skill do you wish you had cultivated or were better at?
Public speaking. I am better than I used to be, but I would love to be more comfortable with speaking in public.
What are you most excited about these days?
We just started a new wildlife service at Waynes. I’m excited to help get it started and see it grow to give our customers another reason to do business with us.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
Being told I am good at building processes, successfully implementing them and building a team.
Describe yourself in three words?
Ambitious, creative, confident.
What keeps you awake at night?
My brain doesn’t stop working. I lie in bed thinking about all the things I have to do the next day.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Live life to the fullest and be kind to others.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
When I was in Marine Corps boot camp, I couldn’t stop laughing and a drill instructor was screaming in my face.
What would your superpower be?
Teleportation—who wouldn’t want to be anywhere in the snap of a finger?
What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to?
25 years ago, my friends and I rented a venue on Beale Street in Memphis for a New Year’s Eve party. It was epic!
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Vince Vaughn
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Chocolate milkshakes.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Become a pilot. If you can’t teleport, then flying would be next.
What’s one thing you had to learn the hard way?
Hanging a light fixture with my pregnant wife without reading the instructions first.
Describe your perfect day.
Hanging out with my family on a Caribbean beach.
What is the weirdest way you’ve been injured?
Biting into an electrical cord when I was 2 years old. I got the shock of my life.
What’s your pet peeve?
Bad drivers.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
100%.
What entertainment are you bingeing right now?
True Detective on HBO.
What’s a book that has stuck with you?
The Bible.
What’s your favorite holiday?
Christmas Day. I enjoy seeing everyone’s reaction to their gifts.
Where was the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
My family and I took a road trip out west, going through Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah.
And finally, what do you want to be when you grow up?
The best husband, father and friend I can be. Right now, I am a work in progress.
