Nashville GLBT Chamber members transfer from corporate careers to entrepreneurial venture
After acquiring part ownership in Elite Pest Control in January 2008, Nashville chamber members Terry Todd and partner Alan Antes departed from their corporate careers to devote their attention to their new business. Prior to the transition, Todd served as manager of the Compliance and Regulatory Dept. for Nashville General Hospital and Antes worked for Asurion in the Roadside Service Department.
Todd and Antes did not waste any time in establishing roots in Nashville's vast business networking community. They are both members of Nashville's GLBT Chamber of Commerce and the Tennessee Equality Project. Todd also holds the pest control membership position in the Hillsboro Road Business Networking International (BNI) chapter and is a member of the Brentwood/Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce. Both Antes and Todd have been Human Rights Campaign (HRC) members since 1997.
Pest control career path
When asked why he opted to acquire ownership in Elite Pest Control, Todd commented, " We decided to buy into the company because we had used this service for over a year and were extremely pleased. We currently have six grandchildren, two dogs and three cats. So using the environmentally safe services offered by Elite Pest Control has been great. The treatments we offer are known as 'Integrated Pest Management,' known as IPM in our industry. All our products are environmentally friendly as well as being safe for family and pets."
Connection to senior and fixed income Nashville residents
Elite has reached out to Nashville's senior and fixed income community since its inception. Todd commented, "Because our company wants to give back to the community, we offer our services to area seniors and those on fixed incomes. These individuals need pest control service, yet sometimes can't afford it, due to income constraints.
TennCare Contract
Elite is currently in the process of making an application to become a provider for the Area Agency on Aging and Disability, a division of the Greater Nashville Regional Council. If granted the Bureau of TennCare funded contract, Elite would receive the agency's authorization to provide pest control services to aging and disabled residents in 13 Middle Tennessee counties, starting with Williamson and Davidson counties. The program was developed to assist individuals by allowing them to remain in their homes for as long as possible instead of having to seek assisted living.
Future Website innovations
Elite looks to secure a strong Web presence in Middle Tennessee. Elite has secured elitepestcontrolnashville.com, as its future Web site home, and the owners have set a Spring launch date. The Web site promises to be elaborate (compared to other pest sites), resourceful and interactive. Rather than just a basic brochure site, Antes and Todd plan to offer Web site tips and tools to control and prevent local pest problems, a directory with individual descriptions of common Tennessee pests, information on how to ensure your home pest control is environmentally safe, online appointment setting and more.
Owners' middle Tennessee roots
Todd was born in Lebanon and was raised in Murfreesboro. Antes was born in Germany, where his father was serving in the armed forces. When his father left the service, their family moved to Michigan, then moved again to Nashville when he was 13. The third owner, and founder of the business in 1997, is Christa Keeton, a Lawrenceburg native.
Elite Pest Control may currently be reached by email at elite-pest-control@comcast.net or by phone at (615) 942-8824.
GLBT Chamber member receives designation from the Association for Conflict Resolution
Attorney Benjamin Papa of Brentwood's Forward Focus Mediation, PLLC, recently received the distinguished designation of "Advanced Practitioner" from the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). Papa is the only Middle Tennessee mediator to hold the designation. Requirements for the designation include strict training and mediation practice hours. The ACR is considered the most influential alternative dispute resolution organization in the country.
Papa may be contacted through his website at www.forwardfocusmediation.com.
The GLBT Chamber welcomes the following new members:
- Daniel Kent, OutLoud! (Boardroom member)
- Bryan Jones and Cathy Werthan, CPA Consulting Group
- Joe Morris, Freelance Writer and Editor