Early Life
Gary W. Rollins was born on August 30, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the son of O. Wayne Rollins and Grace Crum Rollins. His father co-founded Rollins Broadcasting, Inc. in 1948, which set the stage for the family's diversified business ventures. Gary grew up with a strong work ethic, observing his father's entrepreneurial journey firsthand.
Rise to Success
Gary Rollins graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1967. He then joined the family-owned Rollins, Inc. He began his career in the pest control industry, rising through the ranks. Under his leadership, Rollins, Inc. acquired Orkin in 1964, transforming it into North America's largest pest control firm. He served as CEO from 2001 to 2022 and as Chairman from 2020 to 2025.
Key Business Strategies
Gary Rollins focused on strategic acquisitions and organic growth to expand Rollins, Inc. The company's business model focused on high-volume, recurring revenue through local service footprints and operational discipline. The company has over 2.8 million customers in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia from over 800 locations.
Philanthropy
Gary Rollins is known for his philanthropic endeavors, particularly in education. In 2018, he and his wife, Kathleen Rollins, donated $40 million to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the largest private gift in the university's history. The business college was renamed the Gary W. Rollins College of Business. He has committed over $85 million in lifetime giving, including support for United Way campaigns.