We asked Elijah some questions to get to know him.
Get To Know Elijah Merchant:
What are you most passionate about?
At work, I’m into Entomology and problem-solving. In my spare time, I love camping, travel and seeing new places.
What’s your favorite movie?
Uncut Gems
What do you enjoy most about your new coworkers or the job so far?
We work independently, but we’re a team – communicating with fellow technicians about how to do the best, most efficient job.
What’s your favorite family tradition?
Anything food related brings us together. From seafood boils at the South Carolina family reunion to my mom’s pork bone collard greens on Christmas, food us our love language.
What’s the most unique experience treating a customer’s house?
Customer outreach is one of the most important things to me – pest as a concept can be frustrating or even scary, and to be able to take care of our customers and alleviate their issues is the most gratifying part of the job.
Where were you born and how long have you lived in The Kansas City area?
I was born in Asheville, NC and. have lived in Kansas City since 2020.
What is one thing your co-workers might not know or find surprising about you?
I’m pretty much a city slicker at this point, but I have some stuff under my belt. I lived in a yurt in West Pennsylvania by the Clarion River, backpacked the Art Loeb and Painted Rocks lakeshore in NC and Wisconsin. I’ve baled hay and portaged canoes.
What are your favorite things about living in kansas city? what area of kansas city do you live?
I live in Midtown KC and I have since I moved. I’m looking forward to the streetcar extension as I’m a strong supporter of public transit for all and making cities less car dependent. Let’s take these rails all the way to Waldo!
in your opinion, what is the best restaurant in kansas city?
I love the many Pho restaurants available here. I’m not sold on KC BBQ, sorry. We do dry rubs and vinegar-based sauce where I’m from, and the meat’s just better when it don’t taste like candy.
What are three things left unchecked on your bucket list?
- Visit every state and territory
- Leave the country
- Own my own land
