About Forsyth Exterminating

Founded in 1980

Forsyth Exterminating was originally founded in 1980 as William’s Exterminating by William and Cindy Poss. As one of the very first pest control companies in the area, the business began as a small two-person operation run from the living room of their two-bedroom home in Cumming, Georgia.

With determination and ingenuity, William built the company’s first termite rig by hand using a 50-gallon drum and constructed his first toolbox from plywood. While William handled field work, Cindy managed the business from home while raising their two young children. During this time, Cindy also became one of the first women in the region to perform pest control services in the field.

In the early 1990s, the company was renamed Forsyth Exterminating. The business experienced rapid growth alongside the building boom that transformed Forsyth County from the late 1980s through the 1990s. During this period, operations were run from the family’s basement before moving into the company’s first commercial office space on Main Street in downtown Cumming in 2000.

The Poss children—Julie, Jonathan, and Jessica—grew up immersed in the business, often accompanying their parents on service calls. Julie developed an early interest in customer service and business operations, answering phones and assisting customers starting at age 12. By 17, she became one of the youngest registered pest control technicians in the state of Georgia. Jonathan gravitated toward technical field work, learning termite treatment and pest management techniques as a young teenager, and has since become a respected technical expert known for solving even the most complex pest challenges. Today, all three siblings have dedicated their careers to the pest control industry.

The company’s family roots run even deeper. Cindy’s mother, Ann Heard, worked in the business for several years, and Julie’s three children have also grown up around the company. With four generations involved over the years, Forsyth Exterminating truly embodies the meaning of a family business.

While attending the University of Georgia, Julie began managing the company’s operations, applying what she learned in the classroom to real-world business leadership. She graduated with degrees in International Business and Spanish and stepped into the role of Managing Partner shortly afterward. In 2003, she led the development of the company’s first website and major brand refresh, launching Forsyth Exterminating’s digital presence and helping drive two decades of growth.

From 2013 through 2016, Forsyth Exterminating was recognized for four consecutive years on the Bulldog 100 list of Fastest Growing Companies, an honor awarded by the University of Georgia. Most recently the company was voted Best Pest Control Company by its community in the 2026 Best of Forsyth competition.

Julie has served on the Public Relations Committee for the Georgia Pest Control Association and has received numerous industry recognitions, including National Women in Pest Management honors at the National Pest Management Association’s PestWorld conference in Washington, D.C.  In 2025, she stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer, continuing the company’s legacy of excellence and leadership. Under her guidance, Forsyth Exterminating has grown into one of Metro Atlanta’s most trusted pest control providers.

Today, the company’s customers and team members remain the heartbeat of the organization. Forsyth Exterminating continues to operate with the same core values that guided its founding—providing honest, reliable service delivered by knowledgeable and friendly professionals. Julie and Jonathan proudly carry their family’s legacy forward into the next generation—built on a strong work ethic, a commitment to their community, and a dedication to protecting the homes and businesses they serve.

FAQs