Justin Knox grew up with pest control in his blood. Long before it became his career, it was part of his everyday life. At just 12 years old, he spent summers working in the family business. He helped with termite jobs, kept the office clean, and learned what it meant to take pride in doing things the right way.
After graduating from Troy University in 1997, Justin joined Knox Pest Control full-time. Over the years, he worked his way through many roles. He didn’t rush the process. Instead, he focused on learning every part of the business. That steady approach helped shape the leader he is today.
Knox Pest Control is more than a company. It is a four-generation family legacy that began in the 1920s when Justin’s great-grandfather, Forrest H. Knox, walked the streets of Atlanta selling roach powder and mouse bait. The belief was simple. Treat customers well, and they will stay with you. That idea still guides the company today.
Now, Justin helps lead one of the largest pest control companies in the Southeast. He works closely with his team to provide reliable service and peace of mind to customers across several states. He believes strong businesses are built on trust, service, and consistency.
Outside of work, Justin is a husband, a father of three, and a lover of the outdoors. He enjoys hunting, farming, and spending time with family and friends. Whether at home or at work, he leads by example. Quietly. Steadily. With purpose.
Q: You grew up around Knox Pest Control. When did the work really start to shape you?
It started earlier than most people expect. I was around 12 when I began working summers in the business. I wasn’t doing anything glamorous. I helped with termite treatments. I cleaned up the office grounds. I watched how the technicians talked to customers and how problems were handled. That’s where I learned that details matter. Small things add up. If you cut corners early, it shows later.
Q: What lessons from those early years stayed with you?
One big lesson was that no job is beneath you. Everyone starts somewhere. My great-grandfather walked door to door with a leather satchel selling roach powder and mouse bait. My grandfather worked termite jobs as a teenager and sat night watch on fumigation jobs. Seeing that history made it hard to feel entitled. You earn trust over time. You don’t demand it.
Q: After college, why did you choose to come back to the family business full time?
After graduating from Troy University in 1997, I knew I wanted to be part of something long-term. Knox Pest Control wasn’t just a business to me. It was a responsibility. I didn’t come in with a master plan. I came in ready to learn. I took on different roles over the years because I wanted to understand how the company actually worked, not just how it looked from the top.
Q: How do you think that approach affects the way you lead today?
It gives you perspective. When someone brings an idea or a concern to me, I’ve probably stood in their shoes before. That builds confidence on both sides. People are more willing to speak up when they know you understand the work. I’ve seen that good ideas don’t always come from the loudest voice. Sometimes they come from someone who just wants to fix a problem and go home knowing they did it right.
Q: Your family has talked for generations about keeping customers, not just getting them. How does that play out today?
That philosophy still guides decisions. We sell peace of mind. That means showing up when we say we will and fixing what needs fixing. We offer a satisfaction guarantee because it forces accountability. If something isn’t right, we don’t argue. We fix it. That mindset builds confidence with customers and within the team. People know the standard, and they know it applies to everyone.
Q: What inspires you personally, especially when business decisions involve risk?
History inspires me. When I think about my great-grandfather starting from nothing, or my grandfather moving to Columbus to grow a new territory, it puts risk in perspective. They didn’t have guarantees. They just believed in service and consistency. When we take calculated risks today, it’s with that same foundation. If it aligns with our values, it’s usually worth exploring.
Q: How do you try to inspire others without forcing it?
I try to lead quietly. Not everything needs a speech. Sometimes it’s just showing up prepared. Sometimes it’s listening longer than you talk. I’ve found that people gain confidence when they feel heard. When someone brings an idea, I ask how they would execute it. That ownership matters. Even if the idea needs work, the process builds trust.
Q: Outside of work, what keeps you grounded?
My family. I’ve been married to my wife, Jackie, for 15 years, and we have three kids. Spending time on the farm, working with cattle, hunting, or just being outdoors slows things down. It reminds me that success isn’t just growth or numbers. It’s a balance. The business matters, but so do the people around you.
Q: Looking back, how do you define getting “where you are today”?
It wasn’t one moment. It was a series of steady choices. Showing up. Learning from mistakes. Respecting the past while planning for the future. I don’t see it as a finish line. It’s more like stewardship. I’m just one part of a story that started long before me and will hopefully continue long after.
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