All too often, companies market themselves as “family-oriented.” In reality, however, the focus on family often falls to the wayside in favor of increased revenue or an improved bottom line. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a company pursuing its financial objectives, but if it is promoting “family,” then it should back that message up.
Clark Pest Control was founded in 1950 by a family man, Charles Clark, and it remains a family-owned and operated business. The family has grown over the years, and Clark now operates throughout California and northwest Nevada. But the same guiding principles on which the business was founded are still in place.
Tom Graston, branch manager of Clark Pest Control’s Vacaville service center in the fast-growing I-80 corridor between San Francisco and Sacramento, appreciates working in an open, transparent environment that pays equal respect to both its customers and employees.
“People want to be heard and feel they belong, just like a family member would,” says Graston, who joined Clark in 2013 after nearly two decades working in the industry for other companies.
Even though Clark Pest Control is one the largest pest management firms – based on revenue – in the United States, Graston says it truly has a family feeling to it.
“Coming from a large corporate setting to Clark has been a huge difference,” says Graston. “Customer and employee loyalty is important and the longtime Clark ad slogan, ‘Clark We Need You,’ is true.”
Graston, a native of Canada, points to the longevity of his Clark coworkers – three of the managers in the Vacaville office have been with the company more than 20 years – as a sign that the family feeling isn’t just a slogan; it’s the real deal.
“Working at Clark is a lot more personal, and it trickles down directly from the Clark family,” says Graston. “From day one they make you feel like family, and that is part of the reason why they’ve grown over the years – collaboration is encouraged, and they listen to employees and customers.
Graston says customers feel the same thing Clark employees do when it comes to being part of a family, because the example has been set from day one.
“You see the leadership of Clark to be hands-on, but without ego, and willing to do what it takes to get the job done right,” says Graston. “When employees see this happen, they pass it on to our customers.”
Graston recalls an instance where a customer, an older woman, called to talk about a technician.
“She told me her technician had brought her flowers after her husband passed away, but she was afraid to tell me because she didn’t want to get him trouble,” says Graston. “That’s just one example of the type of amazing people we have at Clark.”
If you are having a problem with pests in and around your home, call or text the Clark Man at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.
Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.