Cook’s Pest Control, a company that serves customers throughout the Southeast, has been named among TIME’s America’s Best Private Companies of 2026, according to a recent announcement. The Decatur, Alabama-based firm earned national recognition as one of just 500 privately held companies selected for the inaugural ranking. This recognition highlights companies for both employee satisfaction and their broader impact, a key indicator for businesses serving communities like Valdosta and Lowndes County.
Out of more than 6 million private employer firms operating in the United States, Cook’s Pest Control secured the No. 261 position overall on the national list. The company also ranked No. 19 specifically within the Business Services and Supplies category. Notably, Cook’s was the sole pest control company included on this prestigious list. For residents and small-business owners in South Georgia, this acknowledgment from a national publication signals a commitment to quality and service from a regional provider they might encounter.
Furthermore, Cook’s Pest Control was one of only 20 Georgia companies to be featured in TIME’s inaugural ranking. This places the company among a select group within the state to achieve such national recognition for its business practices and operational excellence. The ranking, developed by TIME in partnership with Statista, considered factors related to employees’ experiences and companies’ positive impact on society, knowledge, health, and the environment.
The roots of Cook’s Pest Control trace back to Decatur, Alabama, where it was founded in 1928. The company has remained family-owned for nearly a century, reflecting a long-standing commitment to its foundational principles. Brian Cook, the fourth-generation president and CEO of Cook’s Pest Control, stated that his great-grandfather established the company nearly a century ago on principles of taking care of people, serving customers effectively, and operating with integrity. These values, he noted, continue to guide the company today.
For the company, this recognition extends beyond a national ranking. Brian Cook explained that receiving national acknowledgment in a ranking that assesses both employees and a company’s broader impact is particularly meaningful. He attributed this success to the individuals who have shaped Cook’s Pest Control over four generations. The company’s mission emphasizes providing employees with a safe and rewarding workplace, delivering exceptional service to its customers, investing in training and professional development, and conducting business with integrity.
These operational areas align closely with the values that have directed Cook’s throughout its history, according to the company. Cook’s continues to prioritize investing in employee training and career development. The company also maintains a commitment to principles such as stewardship, gratitude, integrity, excellence, generosity, and respect.
Brian Cook further articulated the company’s vision, stating its purpose is "To increasingly make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through pest control." He emphasized that the company aims to be a better organization that has a positive impact on all those who come in contact with Cook’s Pest Control, rather than simply a bigger one. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and for this recognition from TIME. The company’s long history and continued adherence to its founding values underscore its established presence and impact across the communities it serves in the Southeast.