Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Shawn DeLong: Trust Behind the Walls

By Caitlyn Stair, Diamond Certified Research Reporter

Shawn DeLong has spent enough time in the termite industry to know that no two homes (or homeowners) are exactly alike. That’s why he takes a personal approach to every inspection, focusing not only on the technical side of the job but also on making sure clients feel comfortable throughout the process.

Shawn first entered the termite industry in 2010 after a family friend opened the door to a new opportunity. “My dad’s friend worked for a pest control company and they needed a guy to do repairs,” he recalls. “It only took a few months to realize it would be much easier on my body and mind to be an inspector, so I decided to get my license.”

In 2020, Shawn joined Great Wall Termite Control and found a company culture that aligned with his personality and values. “Great Wall is a family-owned business and the owner, Chester Hiu, is great to work with,” he says. “I had a lot of opportunities with different companies, but working here has been really good.”

As a WDO sales inspector, Shawn focuses on helping homeowners fully understand their termite issues and the solutions that are available to them. “I really enjoy meeting different types of people,” he says. “I like figuring out what they need and then doing my best to solve their termite issues.”

Ongoing education and training play major roles in Shawn’s professional approach. “Every three years, I have to accrue 16 hours of continued education to renew my license, and I’ve even attended a termite academy in Berkeley,” he explains. “Ultimately, it’s all about keeping customers informed. You can’t stop Mother Nature from doing what Mother Nature does, so I just try to explain why their houses got infested and what they can do to prevent it from happening again.”

Shawn also believes strong communication is essential to customer satisfaction. He stays highly involved throughout each project, making sure homeowners have the documents and answers they need every step of the way. “My clients know that if they call me, I’ll answer,” he says. “People don’t always remember everything until the day of the fumigation, so I’m there to help them and make sure they’re happy until the job is complete.”

A lifelong resident of San Jose, Shawn has deep roots in the Bay Area and values being close to family. He and his wife, April, have been married for more than two decades and are raising their son, Robert, who Shawn affectionately calls his “best buddy.” Much of his free time revolves around family activities like fishing, hiking and boating. “We do a lot of fun stuff together,” he says. “I’ve coached Robert’s baseball and soccer teams, and now we play golf and shoot archery together.”

When it comes to a guiding philosophy, Shawn believes mindset matters. Every morning, he approaches the day with optimism and a positive attitude. “When I wake up, I already know it going to be a good day,” he says. “You have to be ready for whatever comes your way.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Are you a dog person or a cat person?
A: A dog person, but we do have two cats.

Q: If you could time-travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: I would go back to the mid-1980s. Kids played outside until the streetlights came on and there weren’t iPads or phones everywhere.

Q: What types of movies do you like to watch?
A: My son and I have been really into the Star Wars series lately. I also introduced him to Rocky and we like watching Avatar together.

Q: Do you prefer being somewhere hot or cold?
A: I like both—hot weather when I’m on the boat and cold weather when I’m snowboarding.