Here’s to another 75 years for ABC

My brothers and I are so proud and excited that ABC Home & Commercial Services (ABC) is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Established in 1949 in San Antonio, Texas, ABC was bought by our parents, Bob Sr. and Sandy Jenkins, in 1965. At that time, ABC had one service technician and one truck. Dad hit the streets, knocking on doors and selling our services while Mom handled the phones and cared for three little rug rats.

From these humble beginnings to today, ABC has grown into a statewide brand. The three young rug rats — Raleigh, Dennis and me — each run our own ABC, headquartered in Houston, Dallas and Austin, respectively. We offer a variety of residential and commercial services, and our three companies collectively employ more than 2,100 people.

Separate yet collaborative

Dad built his business in San Antonio and eventually sold it, along with several franchises, to Waste Management in 1987. He was then able to essentially set up each son to build and grow their own businesses. While my brothers and I share the ABC brand, information and ideas, and compete monthly, we do not share any ownership or money in one another’s business. We have three separate corporations with separate owners and separate bank accounts.

As I often tell people, my brothers and I are as close as three brothers I’ve ever met, and I believe a big part of why is that we have kept our businesses separate. We compete and cheer each other on, but because we don’t share money, my wife doesn’t need to be concerned with what kind of car my sister-in-law drives.

I think it’s unusual that all three of us wanted to come into the family business. We all started working at a very early age, starting as technician helpers before we could drive. We each had summer jobs at ABC, providing janitorial services for the office and keeping the warehouse clean. We all ran routes in high school and during the summers while in college.

Our interest in the business started when we were young, sitting around the dinner table. As a family, we always sat down and had dinner together. This was a special time, where each of us could share what was happening in our lives. All five of us shared the good and the bad. Dad would tell us what was going on at ABC, so my brothers and I always felt we were part of the company and knew what was going on in the business.

From left are Bobby, Sandy, Dennis and Raleigh Jenkins today. Bob Sr., a PMP Hall of Famer (Class of 2005), passed away in 1997. PHOTO: THE JENKINS FAMILY

Shared values

While my brothers and I have each built our own business, one thing we all have in common is our commitment and involvement in the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). I’m very proud that my brothers and I followed in Dad’s footsteps and served the NPMA as president: Dad in 1987, me in 2002, Raleigh in 2009 and Dennis in 2018. Our love and commitment to the industry is something we learned from Dad and are passing along to our children.

The Jenkins clan also has loyalty to and fondness for Texas A&M University. Dad graduated from A&M in 1959, I’m class of 1981, Raleigh is 1983 and Dennis is 1985. All three brothers married women who graduated from A&M. All eight of our children graduated from A&M, and six of our children married Aggies.

From oldest to youngest, Bobby, Raleigh and Dennis Jenkins have spent their lifetimes bonding as brothers and business owners. PHOTO: THE JENKINS FAMILY

Another common value is our commitment, instilled by our parents, to our communities and the understanding and passion for giving back. We all work hard to improve our communities and provide a work environment promoting philanthropy and volunteering for all our people. Our values are centered on family, our team, our customers and our community. All three of our organizations prioritize these values.

Reflections and looking ahead

When I look back on ABC’s history, I think about the incredible people with whom we’ve had the privilege to work. I think about Dad’s first vice president, Don Harris, who helped my brothers and me learn how to sell our services. I think about Richard Zulacha, who mentored us on properly performing pest management and customer service. And then I think about Juan Campos, the service manager who taught the three of us how to drive a stick shift!

Here in Austin, I’ve been incredibly blessed to have a team of senior managers whose average tenure with me is more than 26 years. Matt Burns, my best friend since fourth grade, and I have worked together for more than 40 years. He has been part owner and vice president — and the glue that holds the team together. Both Matt and I worked for my dad in San Antonio running pest control routes during college at A&M.

Both my brothers have been equally blessed to have key people in their organizations who are the foundations of their businesses.

As I look forward to the next 75 years at ABC, I’m incredibly excited and optimistic. I know my children and my brothers’ children are all committed to the thought of ABC continuing to be a multigenerational family business. We all have grandchildren, and I can assure you that we are recruiting them to attend A&M and someday come to ABC to be part of Gen 4!

<p>The post Here’s to another 75 years for ABC first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2024/10/18/heres-to-another-75-years-for-abc/
Sacramento CA