Pest Management Professional, March 2018
PHOTO FINISH By Heather Gooch Editor 2 decades of critter gettin and counting 2018 is a milestone year for Chris Fitzgerald co owner of Critter Getter Pest Control in Mesa Ariz Not only is it his 20th wedding anniversary since its this month Chris consider this article your friendly reminder but its his companys 20th too Fitzgerald started in the industry in 1994 as a summer job with his brother who later left to pursue a teaching degree When the small company was sold in 1998 he decided to strike out on his own and Critter Getter was born Our first office was a bedroom out of our home I set up the room like an office and had a separate phone line installed That worked for a while he recalls Then we outgrew that space and purchased a home We converted the whole home to an office space It had a huge back yard where I parked our service trucks and had storage sheds to store stuff After about seven years the county zoning commission deemed the neighborhood as residential and Critter Getter had to move on Our current office is a leased commercial building on a main street with signage and a storage lot behind the building Fitzgerald says noting there are also a few storage sheds and space to park the trucks We are planning on purchasing our own commercial property in the near future and having a permanent location to call Critter Getter headquarters The company is marking its anniversary with a monthly giveaway drawing for customers In the fall they are planning an outdoor bash for customers and employees alike Were going to have some shirts hats and raffle prizes Fitzgerald says There will be a bounce house for the kids and a big shredder truck to destroy documents for our clients as a special service to them Well also cook up some burgers and hot dogs with sodas and chips We are very proud and excited that we have made it 20 years and we are looking forward to the next 20 years he concludes The Fitzgerald kids have grown up around wildlife as this 2011 family photo with rescued coyote pups proves Susan prefers to stay on the business side of things but she did hold a snake once Chris says 104 March 2018 Pest Management Professional mypmp net photos Chris Fitzgerald If all goes as planned son Ashton 14 will be taking over in the next 15 to 20 years Here hes in uniform with his dad right down to the ID badge It all started in 1998 when Chris and Susan Fitzgerald embarked on a new adventure in life and in work Susan is co owner and office manager of Critter Getter You can reach GOOCH at hgooch@ northcoastmedia net or 330 321 9754 The Critter Getter truck fleet The company currently has four technicians and three office staff members Daughter Gracie 8 might give her brother a run for his money when it comes to taking over Critter Getter one day Shes already interested in learning about snakes and other wildlife her dad says
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