About Liberty Pest Control

We grow so we can give back: to the employees who build their careers with us, the customers who trust us with their homes and businesses, and the communities we're proud to serve.

Founded February 2024

Four Liberty Pest Control team members at a community event booth

Our story

Liberty Pest Control was founded in 2024 by John Stopka and Lee Sell with a simple goal: build a locally owned pest control company that delivers exceptional service while creating a company where great people can build long-term careers.

John began his career in the pest control industry at 19 years old, gaining experience in pest management, sales, customer service, and business operations. Over time, he saw an opportunity to build something different—an organization centered around its customers, employees, and the communities it serves.

John and Lee launched Liberty Pest Control in Western Kentucky and began building the company one customer at a time. What started as a small local operation has grown rapidly into a team serving homeowners and businesses throughout Southern IL, Western KY and South Central KY.

Despite that growth, Liberty remains locally owned and committed to the principles it was founded on: provide remarkable service, invest in great people, continually improve, and build lasting relationships within the communities we serve.

Founders

John Stopka
Co-Founder & CEO
John Stopka is the Co-Founder and CEO of Liberty Pest Control. He entered the pest control industry at 19 years old and developed experience across pest management, sales, marketing, and business operations before launching Liberty Pest Control with Lee Sell in 2024.
As CEO, John focuses on Liberty's long-term strategy, growth, marketing, technology, organizational development, and expansion into new markets. His focus is building the systems, leadership team, and company culture necessary for Liberty to grow while maintaining the service standards of a locally owned company.
John is also active in the Western Kentucky business community and has been recognized as the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year.
Lee Sell
Co-Founder & President of Home Services
Lee Sell is Co-Founder and President of Home Services at Liberty Pest Control and plays a key leadership role in the company's sales and home-services operations.
Lee works closely with Liberty's leadership and sales teams to develop opportunities beyond traditional pest control, including termite protection, crawlspace services, insulation, wildlife and rodent exclusion, and other home-protection solutions.
As a co-founder, Lee has helped guide Liberty from a startup into a growing regional home-services company while maintaining a strong emphasis on relationships, accountability, and customer service.

Leadership team

Steven Riley
Branch Manager
Steven Riley serves as Branch Manager for Liberty Pest Control and is responsible for overseeing the company's day-to-day branch operations.
Steven works closely with Liberty's customer service, sales, and field-service teams to ensure customers receive consistent, dependable service as the company grows. His responsibilities include operational performance, team accountability, customer experience, scheduling efficiency, and helping Liberty's team execute the company's standards in the field.
Steven's role is critical to Liberty's ability to scale without sacrificing the service and responsiveness customers expect from a locally owned company.
Robert Reams
Service Manager
Robert Reams serves as Service Manager for Liberty Pest Control, helping lead and develop the company's Service Specialists. He brings over a decade of experience working with national firms in both commercial and residential pest control.
Robert is responsible for field-service quality, Service Specialist training, route performance, service standards, and accountability across Liberty's pest-control operations. He works directly with Service Specialists to ensure services are performed safely, thoroughly, and consistently while helping team members continue developing their technical and customer-service skills.
His focus is straightforward: make sure Liberty's growth never comes at the expense of the quality of service delivered at a customer's home or business.