Back-to-Back Quality Assurance Team of the Year: Cullman, AL

Back-to-Back Quality Assurance Team of the Year: Cullman, AL

Cullman has been named the Quality Assurance (QA) Team of the Year for both 2024 and 2025. The repeat recognition reflects a commitment to quality service in every customer interaction and inspection.

Last year, Cullman’s QA inspections averaged over 99%. Our Learning & Technical Services (LTS) team names the QA Team of the Year based on the highest averaging score of two annual QA inspections visits. Cullman has achieved the highest inspection average in the Northwest Family of Brands for two consecutive years.

When asked how the team continues to set the standard, James Nelson, Region 1 Manager, pointed to Cullman’s strong leadership.

“There is a high expectation of excellence with our management team in Cullman,” said James. “It’s relayed to the team. Communication is a strong suit for this team. They are organized and prepared for each month before it gets here.”

Because the team acts with clear intent and preparation, teammates consistently perform at high levels. The discipline is apparent through dependable service, an aligned team, and detailed communication that customers can rely on. One 10/10 NPS review for Nicholas Nunnelley reflects the team’s standard of communication and reliability.

“The communication is great! Always letting us know when they will be doing our service with a follow up text from the technician with approximate time of arrival.”

Another 10/10 review for Brad Owens highlights the team’s consistent service and level of care.

“Brad our technician is very knowledgeable and caring. Love green option for pest control.”

Cullman’s 99% QA score and 98 NPS rating reflects careful planning and teammates who are fully committed to serving customers well. By listening closely and responding with precision and care, the team continues building trust with homeowners across neighborhoods.

Cullman’s commitment is another example of us honoring our customers by delivering our vision every time, at every service.

A Life of Uplifting Others: Joe Murray’s Heart for Service

A Life of Uplifting Others: Joe Murray’s Heart for Service

When you think about what it means to live the Northwest Way, Joseph Murray, service professional in Newnan, Georgia, immediately comes to mind. For Joe, our Core Values – Customers First, Do What is Right, Be Humble, Be Extraordinary, Move Forward – aren’t just words on paper; their values are ingrained in his DNA.

When Joe came in for his job interview, he and Service Center Manager Dave Horn had an instant connection, and Dave knew right away that Joe would be a perfect fit for Northwest. “The first couple of minutes after sitting down and talking to him, I thought, I don’t need to do anything else—I just pray your driving record is good, let’s do this!”

Teammate Spotlight Joe Murray and Carol Hutchison

Joe’s genuine care for people is evident from the moment he steps onto a customer’s property. Each visit begins with a simple question: “What are we seeing?” While the question is intended to uncover pest concerns, the conversation often turns into a catch-up session between old friends. It doesn’t take long to realize that Joe isn’t just protecting homes, he’s building relationships. “They’re not just customers to Joe. Said office manager, Kayla Purcell. “He gets invited to cookouts, and to the kid’s birthday parties. They’re his extended family.”

He considers it a privilege to serve his customers, and many of them consider him to be family. For customer William Wilcox, he remembers their first meeting like it was yesterday. “Joe’s first visit was the day I was laid off from my job,” William shared. “I’ll never forget it. Before I knew it, we started talking, and Joe prayed with me right there on the spot. After he left, I remember feeling like everything was going to be okay.” As Mr. Wilcox reflected on that moment, tears filled his eyes. The service professional who once knocked on his door is now someone he calls a brother.

Joe’s personality is infectious, and it draws people in like bees to honey. His fun personality and positive energy make it nearly impossible to have a bad day around him. When asked what a bad day looks like, Joe smiled and said:

“I don’t think we have bad days. You may have a bad moment throughout the day, but what you do in that moment will define how you overcome it.” For Joe, it’s all about choices. Choosing to see golden opportunities rather than focusing on what went wrong.

Teammates experience Joe’s positive energy every day including his Good Deed Team co-ambassador, Savannah Casswell. She has worked with Joe for six months and says the best thing about working with Joe is his attitude. “He’s always upbeat and I really like his energy; he doesn’t let anything get him down. He’s just a positive person and it’s hard to have a bad day when you’re around him.”

Joe is the perfect example of serving with a servant’s heart. As Good Deed Team co-ambassador, he’s active in community initiatives. During a recent visit to Backpack Buddies, a Northwest community partner that provides food for students during school breaks, Joe naturally stepped into leadership. The team had the opportunity to deliver more than 50 bags filled with food to Ruth Hill Elementary School. On the morning of the delivery, Joe was coordinating vehicles, confirming volunteers, and ensuring the team arrived on time.

For Joe, giving back isn’t an obligation; it’s an opportunity. His personal volunteer resume includes everything from road clean ups, food banks, domestic violence shelters, and homeless shelters, and that list doesn’t include the volunteer work with his church Griffin Frist Assembly and his fraternal organization James E Acey Lodge 600 and Atlanta Consistory 24a.

Joe’s dedication to customers, teammates, and the community reflects who he is at his core: a man of faith, a family man, and someone who believes deeply in serving others. His giving heart shows up in quiet prayers on front porches, in food bags delivered with dignity, and teammates encouraged during tough times. In every moment, he chooses kindness over convenience. Joe’s legacy is measured in the lives he touches. He proves that extraordinary service isn’t about what you do; it’s about how deeply you care while doing it. For Joe Murray, serving others is part of his purpose.

Joe working

Joe serves as an example to lead with a servant’s heart and with your eyes open to serve your team, customers, and community. By extending kindness, you’re not just touching the people you meet; you’re inspiring everyone to do the same a little more each day.

Tradition of Care: Easter at Willett Children’s Hospital

Tradition of Care: Easter at Willett Children’s Hospital

This Easter, pediatric patients at Willett Children’s Hospital in Savannah, GA experienced a moment of joy and celebration, thanks to Northwest Exterminating’s Good Deed Team. Dozens of Northwest teammates gathered at the Team Support Center in Marietta, Ga., stuffing approximately 400 plastic eggs with stickers, miniature stuffed animals, and mini glow sticks. Some of the eggs were included in the 50 Easter Baskets the team collected to take to the hospital, others were used to organize an easter egg hunt for the children who were able to participate.

“The Easter baskets were given to inpatient children, usually covering an entire floor,” said Kristen Milligan, Good Deed Team Co-Director. “Some went to children in the ER and new admissions patients, and the pediatric ICU received window clings to ensure there was something for everyone.”

The partnership between Willett Children’s Hospital and Northwest has been going strong since 2018. An office manager suggested Northwest get involved after realizing the hospital had little support. After meeting with the hospital’s Family Services Director, it became clear there was a need—and Northwest teammates didn’t hesitate to act. That same day, they visited local stores to stock the hospital’s empty pantries, ensuring parents could have meals while staying by their child’s side. Ever since, teammates from across the Southeast have continued to come together to support the hospital around the annual holidays, like Christmas trees and decorations.

Eight years later, the Easter basket initiative remains a beloved tradition—one that reflects the heart of Northwest. It’s about more than baskets and eggs; it’s about bringing comfort, creating moments of joy, and reminding children and their families that they are not alone. What started as a simple act of service quickly grew. From decorating hospital rooms at Christmas to creating Easter baskets, teammates have continued to find ways to show up for these families year after year.

Orkin and Northwest Teammates Inspire a Love of Reading

Orkin and Northwest Teammates Inspire a Love of Reading

Teammates from Northwest Exterminating and our sister brand Orkin, had the opportunity to help students experience the joy of reading. Teammates served at Cane Ridge Elementary School near Nashville, Tn. as part of the Read Across America Program. The program is a nationwide event that encourages children to read and celebrate the importance of books.

Teammates read books to students in kindergarten through 5th grade, which made the day even more meaningful because the Read Across America Program was recognized on March 2, which is the same day as Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Teammates also brought snacks for the students and treats for teachers and staff so everyone could play a part and enjoy the day together.

This initiative allowed volunteers to step into classrooms sharing some of the books that once sparked their own love of reading. One book, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, left a lasting impression on the students. By the end of the day, it was hard to tell who enjoyed it more, the students, whose faces lit up with excitement, or the adults, who found just as much joy stepping into their world.

Read Across America

Students also took the opportunity to get to know some of our teammates, asking questions about everything from chapter books to comic books. They also had lots of questions about the Northwest mascot, the Mouse. These types of experiences create moments that matter for both the students and teammates.

Having the opportunity to serve some of our youngest readers and support the love of reading is a gift. Days after the event, students sent dozens of handmade cards thanking teammates for taking the time to read to them.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often referred to as the Nation’s Report Card, 2 out of 3 students in the United States are not reading at their grade level.

If you’re interested in getting involved, the Read Across America Program recommends:

• Volunteering to read in a classroom or after-school program

• Donating books to local schools or community book drives

• Sharing stories with children in their own families or neighborhoods

Small efforts can make a big difference! We are grateful for programs like Read Across America and others who support our local schools and students. We look forward to partnering again in the future.

Newnan Georgia Teammates Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom

Newnan Georgia Teammates Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom

Teammates in Newnan, Ga. are working to help prevent food insecurities among students across Coweta County. Partnering together with Backpack Buddies, a non-profit organization that provides food to children during school breaks, the team was able to deliver more than 50 bags of food to Ruth Hill Elementary. This effort is part of an ongoing partnership, with teammates working alongside Backpack Buddies ahead of every school break to help bridge the gap for families who rely on school meals during the week.

According to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, 1 in 6 children will go to bed hungry and in some instances the meal they get at school may be the only food they have to eat all day. This reality inspired teammates to get involved. Good Deed Team ambassadors Joe Murray, Service Professional, and Savannah Casswell, Administrative Professional, organized the effort by coordinating the number of vehicles and volunteers needed to load and transport the food. They also worked with Backpack Buddies and school administrators to coordinate the best time to deliver the food.

Good Deed Team Backpack Buddies

Once the planning was complete, teammates gathered, loaded up their vehicles, and made their first stop at Backpack Buddies before caravanning to the school. Efforts like these are a reflection of a larger commitment shared across the Northwest Family of Brands. For teammates, giving back is how we show up for our local community. It’s a reminder that making a difference doesn’t require a grand gesture, just a willingness to show up. When a community comes together, even small acts can have a lasting impact.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to get involved with Backpack Buddies and support local families in your community, please visit https://backpackbuddiesga.org/

Good Deed Team Backpack Buddies

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