Joseph Durek, '78, Chief Executive Officer, Lentek International
In 1993, armed with a new certificate of incorporation and no products or prospects for sales, Joe posted a job notice in the UCF student newspaper advertising for a marketing manager. Lou Lentine responded, and the beginning of a new partnership and company emerged…Lentek International, Inc.
The partners began their business in Joe’s living room. In 1996, Lentek International introduced the original PestContro, a chemical free device to repel pests, and paved the way to the launch of a new product line. Today, their company is the world leader in chemical free pest control. In addition, they have added numerous items to their product line.
With hard work and dedication, by September 2001, Lentek was named the fastest growing company in Orlando with a 3,795 % growth over five years and was ranked the 171st fastest growing company in the nation by Deloitte & Touche. The company has won numerous awards including and was named the 2002 Exporter of the Year Award by the Mid-Florida Economic Development Commission.
Joe has served as a volunteer for Big Brothers and is very involved in the both the Central Florida community and at UCF. He has been a guest lecturer and a competition judge in the College of Business Administration and serves on the Dean’s Executive Council.