Rollin’ Up a Fortune Through Common Sense, Doggedness : People: Self-made millionaire John W. Rollins Sr.’s humble start as a Georgia farm boy laid the foundation for his political and business acumen.
John W. Rollins Sr. is a Georgia farm boy who made good. A classic Horatio Alger.
With homespun wit, common sense and pure doggedness, he took a $500 investment in a car dealership and parlayed it into a variety of businesses, most of which bear his surname.
At 78, he’s on wife No. 3, has 10 children ages 12 to 54, eight grandchildren, and retirement is the farthest thing from his mind.
“I have enough things that I’m working on to take me through the next 10 to 20 years. I think what I want to get done will last longer than I’m here to do it,” he said, chuckling.
The self-made millionaire industrialist and philanthropist was involved in the founding of five companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange. He’s also made a few forays into politics, including a stint as Delaware’s lieutenant governor in the 1950s and a failed bid for the governor’s office. He has been a friend and confidante of governors, senators and Presidents.
Not bad for a man who made money dealing with things other people would rather not, like hazardous waste and bugs.
He’s chairman and chief executive officer of Rollins Truck Leasing Corp.; chairman and CEO of Rollins Environmental Services Inc., a hazardous waste management company; chairman of Matlack Systems Inc., a fleet of tanker trucks that transport liquid and dry material, and chairman of Rollins Jamaica Ltd., which has developed hotels and other projects in Jamaica.
He and his brother, O. Wayne, founded RPC Energy Services Inc. and Rollins Inc., which acquired Orkin Pest Control. Both are based in Atlanta and now run by his nephews.
From his 15th-floor office at 1 Rollins Plaza, Rollins has a magnificent view of the Delaware River, the stately mansions of Delaware’s chateaux country and the rolling hills of northeast Maryland.
He also has some perspective from having made and lost millions.
“You gotta know when to go and know when to fold. Sometimes I’ve folded a little late,” Rollins said.
It wasn’t an easy climb to the top. But the struggles have kept Rollins grounded.
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Rollins was born in a three-room farmhouse in the red clay hills of northern Georgia. His father became an invalid when he and his brother were adolescents. So alongside their mother, Claudia, the boys tended the family’s Keith, Ga., farm.
After graduating from high school, Rollins left home to find his fortune. He didn’t know where he was going, but he knew he wanted to put the years of “plowin’ that mule” behind him.
“I never had any big preconceived plans,” he said. “I just ran like hell on whatever track I was on and I tried to get an education.”
Rollins went to night school and took correspondence classes. He worked as a boilermaker, ditch digger and plant manager.
His friends say his humble beginnings laid the foundation for his political and business acumen, which helped him parlay his $500, matched by a partner and coupled with a $10,000 loan, into a car dealership in Lewes, Md., that led to daily car rentals. That set the groundwork for Rollins Truck Leasing.
“He’s shrewd beyond any definition or description,” said Ned Davis, a consultant and lobbyist who was once a vice president of Rollins International.
“Even at 78, he has a memory that is just incredibly pinpointed and he doesn’t ever make the same mistake twice,” Davis said. “He’s always remembering things from his long life that are poignant and germane to what is being discussed.”
Richard Grasso, chairman-elect of the New York Stock Exchange, was a young listing representative when Rollins Inc. became the first of the five family businesses to be traded on the NYSE.
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While there are other entrepreneurs who have more companies listed on the exchange, “in terms of aggregate size, certainly John Rollins stands alone,” Grasso said.
Friends describe Rollins as bright, witty, generous and they all agree “once a friend, always a friend,” even when times are tough.
Davis said Rollins drives himself and “works like a dog.”
Pete du Pont, the former Delaware governor and former presidential candidate, swears the man never sleeps. And Rollins is never shy about giving advice or his opinion, du Pont said.
“He called me up on Christmas Eve to explain to me about the baseball strike. Now there’s a subject I didn’t think John was an expert in,” du Pont said. “You don’t get many calls on Christmas Eve to talk about public policy. He had an idea and he thought I ought to know it.”
Rollins also had the ear of former President Richard Nixon and was one of the founders of his library.
“I miss him. I’d like to hear his comments on the election,” Rollins said.
In a trophy room of sorts in his suite of offices, photographs cover the walls--Rollins with former Presidents Bush, Reagan and Nixon; Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole; former Vice President Dan Quayle; Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell.
He used one of his corporate jets to fly Powell and his family to Jamaica in December when Powell received one of Jamaica’s highest honors.
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Rollins’ ties to the Caribbean nation began with a vacation and have grown to involve philanthropic and business ventures. He’s about halfway to his goal of creating 10,000 jobs there.
He underwrote the restoration of the Great House at the Rose Hall plantation, a historic landmark and one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. He also built two hotels on the property.
At home, Rollins contributes to hospitals and educational programs.
And he’s chairman emeritus of the Horatio Alger Assn., taking his message of hard work to students nationwide.
