Franchisee Spotlight: James Newcomer of Mosquito Joe

I was born and raised in Cape Gerardo, Missouri, and after high school, I joined the military at the age of 18 and I was there for the next 20 years. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in logistics management. After, I worked for the federal government and got my dual master’s in IT management and procurement and acquisitions. From about 1985 to 2005, I was in the Air Force then immediately following I was working at the Scott Air Force Base as a contractor.

In the Air Force, I worked as a logistics planner where, day-to-day, I was primarily doing deliberate planning, making sure everyone understood what their roles were – that meant cargo, deployment – basically, I was in charge of how to be prepared. I worked in the deployment control center, where I set everything up from making sure people get on their designated aircrafts, making sure everything gets out on time. I also made sure people had their mobility bags, had their weapons and ammunition – it’s a very massive process.

My military career went like this: I spent 5 and-a-half years in Yakota, Japan (1985-1991), two years in Lowry, Colorado (1991-1993), Travis Air Force Base, California (1993-1997); one year in Suwon Air Force Base, Korea (1998). I went back to Hurlburt Field, Florida, to work in special ops for two years (1998-2000) and this is when I met my wife where she was a manager at a local grocery store in Fort Walton Beach. Then until 2005, I worked at Scott Air Force Base until I began working in the private sector.

I worked at Charter Communications, a law firm, and then at Monsanto where I worked back in the IT industry as a project manager. My wife, Maria, worked for the Veterans Administration at the National Cemetery.

I was looking for a job so I took some time to research franchises that fit my skill set. I worked with FranServe and the Dwyer Group who assisted me in my research. I continued to job search and I eventually found work at Monsanto, so franchising was put on hold.

But I always wanted to own my own business. One where I could invest in a true business model. Something prompted me in early 2016, so once again, I wanted to be in control of my own destiny.

FranServe led me down the path, pointed me toward franchising and recommended Mosquito Joe. It really resonated with me. It wasn't a huge investment and the opportunities seemed lucrative.

It seemed like something I could get into. I could provide the community a service and help control mosquitoes.