American Pest – Our Company’s History 

In 1925, Paul Calvert Cissel founded the American Disinfectant Company.  Mr. Cissel built the company on the philosophy of prompt, courteous service at a fair price.  He was one of the founding fathers of the National Pest Control Association (now National Pest Management Association) and was its president in 1941-42.  Upon his death in 1953, J. Harry Britt, a long-time associate at the company became President.  Mr. Britt was also active in the local and state pest control associations as well as the commercial real estate community in Washington until his death in 1975.  He was followed by William E. Roll, another long-time employee who started with the company as a service technician in 1932 and led the company as president and Chairman of the Board from 1975 until his retirement in 1987.  In 1976, Apex Exterminating Company, founded by J. R. Byrne in 1933, and then managed by his son Robert Britt Byrne, merged with American Disinfectant Company.  In 1979, the company moved its operations to make way for the Washington Convention Center, from its longtime location of 928 I St in Northwest Washington, to 5201 First Place NE, Washington, DC.

On November 23rd, 1983, the company was purchased from the founder's widow by Robert Byrne, William Roll, Robert Wells, and Jay Nixon and began trading as American Pest Management.  W. Wayne White joined the management team as a partner in 1984.  In 1986, William Roll was elected Chairman of the Board where he served until his retirement in 1987.  Robert B. Byrne was elected President and serviced in that office until his retirement in 1996.  During his tenure the Takoma Park office was constructed and the Gaithersburg and Herndon offices opened.  W. Jay Nixon has served as president since January of 1997 and Matthew J. Nixon now serves as CEO.  Jay Nixon also served as president of the National Pest Control Association (now National Pest Management Association) in 1993-94. 

In October of 1990, American Pest Management moved its corporate offices to 6460 New Hampshire Ave., Takoma Park, MD., where the Commercial ProCare division continues to servce Metropolitan Washington as one of the oldest and most well respected companies in the area.

American Pest Management continued to expand operations further into Maryland and Virginia by opening service centers in Herndon, VA and Gaithersburg, MD.  The Corporate Call Center opened in May of 2006 in Burtonsville, MD to make way for the growing Residential Preferred Care division.

In 2008 American Pest Management was invited to partner with Copesan to provide local service to many national accounts throughout Washington, DC and Pennsylvania.

As of January 1, 2010 American Pest Management began operating as "American Pest" and implemented a new logo throught the company.