Who is Genma?

Genma Stringer Holmes actress, model, and speaker turned entrepreneur caused quite a stir several years ago by starting an environmental pest control company.  Holmes Pest Control is a commercial pest control company that serves businesses through out the State of Tennessee.  Genma Holmes has carved her place in the 70 billion-pest control industry. This industry has fewer than 30 black pest control owners nationally.

 

     "When I started this company, people laughed," stated Holmes in recent interview.  “No one thought I would last,”  Holmes states with a big smile on her face.  “How’s that for keeping you motivated?” she added. 

     Originally from Mississippi, Genma Holmes attended Mississippi State University and later Tennessee State University where she met her husband Roger Holmes.  Best known for her public relations work with Carol Wior, Inc, Genma used her marketing and PR knowledge to brand stamp Holmes Pest Control and to raise awareness for the use of safe and effective environmental pesticides.  She has taken the message about her company to business, schools, and women groups.

 

Genma is a dedicated volunteer and is active in organizations, both public and private in Tennessee.  She served as a Co-Chair for Cultures of Celebration for the past four years.  This is Nashville's largest multicultural event.  She also Co Chaired Med-Week Youth Out Reach for 2002.   Genma has worked with many art events in Nashville including Bethlehem Centers ArtCentric.  This event raised funds for at risk children.

          She was nominated for Business of the Year, and won the TrailBlazer Award in 2000 from Minority Business Exchange.  She is a member of Nashville Rotary, 100 Black Women of Middle Tennessee, Urban League Guild, 2004 Leadership Donelson Hermitage, Donelson Chamber of Commerce, Young Leaders Council, Memphis Society of Entrepreneur, National Association of Women Business Owners, National Association of Female Executives and the National Association of Pest Mangers. Her love for sports keeps her on the team mom list.

 

     Holmes Pest Control has sponsored UNA Football since 1998.  UNA has won two NATIONAL Football Championships, 2001 and 2002.  Cornelius Holmes, 14, was on both teams.  Genma has two other children Franz, 17, who runs track and Alexis, 13, plays basketball.  All of the children help mom with her Servant Leader Project.  Servant Leader is a volunteer ministry started by Ms. Stringer Holmes that teaches children that leadership starts with a heart for others.  The class is taught on Wednesday nights and the children serve those who are in need of encouragement by sending cards and making handmade gifts.