Rebecca Fyffe wins SBA award

Linda McMahon, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, recognized Rebecca Fyffe, owner of Schaumburg-based Landmark Pest Management, as this year's Small Business Person of the Year.

"Rebecca took over a struggling business in 2001 when she was 25 years old, one of only a few women in the industry and the youngest pest control company CEO in the country," McMahon said. "Since then, her company has prospered under her leadership, growing from 18 to 70 full-time employees with substantial revenue growth."

Landmark Pest Management furnishes innovative residential, commercial and municipal pest management services. Landmark's approach to pest control is science-based, featuring the most up-to-date methods, many of which were developed by the company through field trials and proprietary innovations. This year, Landmark is expanding service to neighboring areas in Michigan, Indiana and Missouri along with exploring expansion opportunities in California and New York.

"Rebecca has built an exemplary pest control firm and is so deserving of this award. She has been an inspirational leader in STEM, embracing science and technology to innovate in her field and beyond," McMahon said. "I'm so pleased that Rebecca has benefited from the services we provide through the SBA. Through the knowledge she acquired from an SBA-backed Women's Development Center, she applied for and was approved for an SBA-backed 7(a) loan that provided the capital she needed to expand her business."

Fyffe was among 52 state and territorial nominees competing for the national award. McMahon personally recognized and commended each of them for their hard work, innovative ideas and dedication to their employees and community at the Washington event.

"This award is proof that business owners can both do good, and do well," Fyffe said, expressing gratitude to the SBA and the Women's Business Development Center for their guidance and support.