Biographies

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Biographies of Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators (parent company of Stark Exterminators) representatives are included below. To schedule an interview, please fill out the media request form.

Emily Thomas Kendrick
Chief Executive Officer
Arrow Exterminators

Emily Thomas Kendrick is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators, a family-owned company her grandparents founded in 1964. Emily represents the 3rd generation of the family and began her career at Arrow in 1998 after graduating from Vanderbilt University. Over her 25 year career at Arrow she has served in a variety of positions throughout the company, including in residential and commercial operations and sales, information technology, and marketing. She was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2003, President in 2008, and Chief Executive Officer in 2010.

Leading Arrow’s team of over 3,400+ ladies and gentlemen with 184 offices in 12 states doing over $413 Million in revenue, Emily and her team are passionate about continuing to grow the business to create new opportunities for their team members and new jobs for the local communities they serve.

A passionate advocate for the Pest Management Industry, Emily has served multiple terms on the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) Board of Directors and is active in the Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM) organization. A recipient of the inaugural “Woman Of Excellence” award for the pest management industry and a PCT Crown Leadership Award Winner, she recently accepted the #1 Top Workplace Award in Atlanta, GA on behalf of Arrow.

In addition, Emily serves on the Advisory Board for the Emory University Winship Cancer Institute and as an Emeritus Board Member for St. Jude’s Recovery Center. In addition she is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO),

Emily and her husband Hugh live in Atlanta, GA where they love to do anything outdoors, travel, and spend time with family.

Tim Pollard
President and Chief Operating Officer
Arrow Exterminators

Tim Pollard is the President and Chief Operating Officer for Arrow Exterminators. Tim's career in the pest management industry began in 1993 with The Dow Chemical Company. Tim progressed through many marketing, sales and leadership roles over the following 16 years culminating as the Director of Sales for Canada. Tim joined Arrow Exterminators in Atlanta, Georgia in 2009 as the Sr. Vice President of Sales and was quickly promoted to COO in 2012. Pollard was promoted to President and COO in May 2020. Tim currently serves as the treasurer of the board of trustees for the Pest Management Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization committed to research, education and outreach for the pest management industry. Tim also serves as the Immediate Past Chairman of the Workforce Development Committee for the National Pest Management Association and the board of trustees for Mount Bethel Christian Academy.

Tim graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor of agricultural sciences degree. In 2022, Tim was recognized as a recipient of the 2022 Crown Leadership Award by Pest Control Technology (PCT) and Syngenta. This award is dedicated to pest management professionals who uphold the highest standards of industry ethics, while contributing their time and talent to a wide range of professional and civic organizations.

In his free time, Tim enjoys being outside and exploring nature in an ATV or Jeep, exercising, playing golf, watching college football, coaching basketball, and spending time at the lake and with his family.

Shay Jones Runion
Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP of Professional Development
Arrow Exterminators

Shay Runion is the Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP of Professional Development for Arrow Exterminators. Shay started her career in the Pest Control industry in 2001 working with Dow AgroSciences, LLC with a focus in the termite business. She has been an Arrow Team Member since 2006 and has loved every minute of her time here! Shay currently serves as Chief HR Officer and Senior Vice President of Professional Development. She is a strategic business partner as a member of the Executive and Strategic Planning Teams at the company. Her duties include the management of the organization’s Human Resource strategic initiatives, objectives, and functions, which include HR, benefits, payroll, recruiting and the company’s intern program. She is also the executive representative for Professional Development which encompasses Arrow University, Arrow’s training arm of the company, Technical Services and Government Affairs.

Shay graduated from Auburn University in Agricultural Sciences and has a Master of Sciences degree in Human Resources Development from Villanova University. Shay previously served on the Georgia Pest Control Association (GPCA) Executive Board for over four years. Runion is the 2nd female in the 66-year history of the Association to serve on the Executive Board and as President. She is involved in several committees for both GPCA and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) including Professional Women, Diversity and Recruitment and Retention. She enjoys coaching and mentoring Arrow team members as well as others in the industry. GPCA honored Shay with the inaugural Women of Excellence Award in 2020 for the association and in 2016, Runion was named as the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) Women of Excellence Award recipient.

She enjoys strategic planning and implementation of initiatives that make Arrow a Top USA Workplace. Most recently, Shay was honored by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as a recipient of a HR Hero Award for her outstanding accomplishments in the HR field. She is also a member of the Board of Visitors for Truett McConnell College.

Her contributions extend to her community in which she works with several local schools as a senior project professional mentor and booster club supporter. She resides in Georgia with her husband who coaches High School baseball and their three boys. Shay enjoys music, hiking and spending time with family which almost always involves a sport. Shay enjoys her work but also loves being a boy mom!