Photo by Collin Richie
Hometown: Baton Rouge
Age: 61
Family: Married to husband, Floyd, with three sons: Jeremy Clark, James Clark and Alex Day
Profession: President, Dugas Pest Control
Years with company: 39
Laura Simpson has been described by her colleagues as “the Iron Lady of pest control.” As a 35-year industry veteran who continues to spearhead change, she certainly deserves the title.
Despite a pleasant demeanor, Simpson—who operates one of the largest family-owned pest control companies in the state—is no stranger to making tough decisions.
“She is charming and patient, but was able to keep things steady during a rather uncertain time at the National Pest Management Association,” says Kevin Pass, who served on the association’s board with Simpson.
During her tenure as president of the 7,000-member association, Simpson replaced the existing executive vice president to create a better environment for the staff, suppliers and vendors. The leadership overhaul happened just six weeks before PestWorld 2012, the industry’s national convention, where Simpson addressed members in Boston.
Simpson says that year’s convention was among the association’s most successful yet.
“I guess that is my forte—remaining calm under pressure,” she says. “I’m a very optimistic person. I tend to see the bright side, the good in people and the positive in any situation.”
Such positivity has not only translated into professional success, but has made her a standout in the male-dominated occupation.
Even in her family business, she is outnumbered by men. In 1996, she became president of Dugas Pest Control, succeeding her father, Doug MacPherson, who bought the company in 1973. She worked with her husband for 10 years before he retired, and her son now serves as the company’s general manager.
Over seven years, Dugas doubled its employment, largely because Simpson hired a business coach who “helped her see the big picture.” The company now employs 32 people out of its Baton Rouge headquarters and has expanded to the New Orleans market with an office in Covington.
Under Simpson’s leadership, the company also obtained its QualityPro Certification—a credential less than 3% of pest control companies in the United States earn for going above and beyond state or federal requirements.
She says following in her father’s footsteps helped her “listen more closely” to the problems facing industry leaders. Through her expertise, she has risen through the ranks to lead both the national and state professional organizations for the industry.
Still, when it comes to business situations, Simpson says “being a lady” is an advantage rather than a disadvantage.
“Make sure that when you speak, you have something to say,” she says. “Prove to the men in the room that you do have a valid opinion, and you do have knowledge of the industry and your business.”
While Simpson has maintained a steady presence as the face of the company for the past 22 years, she says the best part of her job is working with the highly skilled, tightknit team she has developed.
“It’s really all about the people,” she says.
Milestones
1978: Graduates from LSU with MS in accounting
1979: Begins working full time at Dugas Pest Control for her father
1989: Decides she’d like to own the business in the future
1996: Becomes president of Dugas Pest Control
2003: Buys the company from her parents
2009: Elected Secretary of the National Pest Management Association
2012: Elected President of the National Pest Management Association
Q&A
First experience as a leader
Serving as vice president of membership (rush chairman) for Delta Gamma in college. Staying organized and finding the right team was critical to my success. Trying to lead membership meetings of 130 tired, feisty college women was certainly the biggest challenge! Fortunately, I have a very strong voice! We made it through recruitment on quota and with a wonderful pledge class.
Hardest lesson learned
You can’t force an employee to succeed. No matter how capable they may or may not be, they have to want to succeed.
Necessary workplace changes
I love the idea of increasing the number of women-owned businesses in Baton Rouge. Getting a business past the stage of just the owner working in the business is the hardest step. I think having a network to mentor women who truly want to grow their businesses would be a great advantage in our city.
Meet the other 9 members of this year’s Influential Women in Business class
