New Top 100 Companies Reflect on History, Culture

CHICAGO — Three companies new to the PCT Top 100 list in 2026 were featured on a panel last week in Chicago at the PCT Top 100 Awards Ceremony & Executive Summit to discuss the histories of their firms, what strategies have helped them grow and where they hope to expand in the future.

Eddie Brewer, president, Redd Pest Solutions (No. 97), Aaron Blatter, CEO, Banner Pest Services (No. 90) and Dewey Brunson, president, Best Home & Property Services (No. 100) gathered for the live discussion moderated by PCT Editor Brad Harbison.

Patrick Rhonemus, PCT Digital Editor

Brewer kicked off the panel by sharing the history of Redd Pest Solutions, based in Gulfport, Miss., which was founded in 1946 by J.C. Redd. Brewer became president of the company following the retirement of his father-in-law, Gordon Redd. Today, Redd Pest Solutions is in its fourth generation of leadership.

“Thankfully today, when I call even in retirement, he still picks up the phone and takes my call,” Brewer said. “I still try to run big decisions by him, and I always value his input.”

At Redd Pest Solutions, Brewer said five employees who were with the company for 40-50 years have retired over the past few years, highlighting the company’s success in employee retention and culture.

Patrick Rhonemus, PCT Digital Editor

Blatter of Banner Pest Services, San Jose, Calif., then shared with attendees how the firm got its start. In January of 2022, Blatter, Nate Sorensen and Brad Erekson officially founded the company. Blatter brought the financial background, Sorensen had experience in operations and Erekson was the one co-founder with pest control experience.

“Last year, we crossed the $10 million revenue mark, which we were excited to do on our fourth year and hit that milestone,” Blatter said. “We operate in the San Francisco Bay area. We have three offices there, and we are largely a commercial pest control company.”

To round out the presentations from the panelists, Brunson of Best Home & Property Services, Longs, S.C., asked attendees to raise their hands if they’ve been in the pest control industry their entire lives. “I am a person that has done the same,” Brunson said.

Patrick Rhonemus, PCT Digital Editor

Brunson’s parents owned a company that he had worked at growing up. “My father did fire me at one point,” he said. “I did go work at other places for a little bit and I’m glad he did. I was able to see what the workforce really is outside of my parents’ wings.”

In 2014, Brunson took over the family business and established a new company under the name Best Home & Property Services.

Although each of the companies brought different backgrounds to the panel, they all agreed that company culture and strong leadership are crucial to a firm’s success. “Your work family is your family,” Brunson said. “So, bringing these families together and just the culture of having everybody be in the know and being together and knowing each other is huge.”

Brunson said Best Home & Property Services hosts quarterly company meetings and fun events for people to stay up to date on company happenings and to enjoy themselves outside of the day-to-day operations.

For Redd Pest Solutions, Brewer said it can be challenging to maintain company culture with such tenured employees. To support its historic company culture, Brewer said Redd recognizes its employees who do something out of the norm with special points that they can eventually trade in for rewards.

“We’re incredibly grateful for our employees and the generations before us who helped build this business and legacy,” Brewer said. “We’re excited for the future and look forward to continue growing.”