After 29 years SWAT’s longest running employee and first Pest Control Technician is retiring. It was a hard decision for him to make but his health would not allow him to continue to work. It has been difficult for everyone at SWAT as well, we all loved Steve and miss having this integral part of the SWAT family in our lives on a daily basis. We have made him promise to check in with us on a regular basis.
We know this is a big change for many of our long term customers who have been looking forward to seeing Steve on a monthly or quarterly basis for many years. Many have contacted us since hearing news of his retirement to let us know how much they love him and how much he will be missed. One customer exclaimed, “I have had Steve as my technician longer than I have had my husband.”
It is so rare in our industry to have the same technician for so many years. We asked Steve what it was that made SWAT his permanent home his answer was simple.
“SWAT always felt like family. Frank and Nancy Calloway have always treated me like family helping me personally and professionally any way that they could. Frank has always offered a lot of wisdom and understanding. He and Nancy have been wonderful examples, in all of these years I haven’t heard them say an un-kind word about anyone. Frank and I would have some disagreements but we always worked through them and more often than not when I would think about the situation I would have to call him to apologize. Nancy was always one to lift your spirits and Frank just let’s things roll off his back. The customers have been a great part of this job as well. They became like my family and I would look forward to checking in with them at each visit to see how things were going. I have watched many of their children grow up and start families of their own it has been a great experience, to get to enjoy the people as much as I have had the opportunity to do.“
When asked about his thoughts on Steve’s retirement, SWAT owner Frank Calloway had this to say:
“Anytime someone retires from our company, I have mixed emotions, especially when it is someone who has been with us for almost thirty years. It seems like yesterday Steve and I were beginning to grow our pest control side of the business. He always took pride in servicing his customers to the best of his ability and gave SWAT 100% effort at all times. SWAT has been blessed to have Steve for all of these years and we wish him many, many, many happy, healthy and blessed years of retirement.”
Nancy Calloway added her comments about Steve:
“It has been a pleasure working with Steve for so many years. He has been such an important part of SWAT, and will be missed more than he knows. He always took such great care of his customers, and they always had such good things to say about him. I know they considered him family, and enjoyed their time with him. One of the fondest memories I have of Steve, although there were many, was him singing Happy Birthday to me in his Elvis voice. He is a special person and I am proud to call him my dear friend.”
Steve has expressed his wishes to hear from his long-time customers/friends, and can be reached at 678-668-6000. You can also mail well wishes to the SWAT Office address 1990 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068.
