NOTE: Throughout the month of July, BrownwoodNews.com is publishing stories daily on 40 standout citizens under the age of 40 making a positive impact and contribution within the Brown County community.
Pitts Stop Porta Pottys began in 1983 with eight toilets and now provides more than 2,000 services a week over a 60,000-square mile radius, and 30-year-old J.C. Pitts is among those at the forefront of the thriving business.
“The biggest thing I need to do is thank my father Charles, everybody knows him as ‘Crab’ Pitts. Without him, his work ethic and his colorful personality we definitely wouldn’t be where we’re at today,” Pitts said. “Along with that, my foundation is my wife, my son, my soon-to-be second son, and my mother. They say to have a successful, growing business you need a great foundation and without the foundation of the workers we have, and my friends and family, we couldn’t have done what we did.”
Pitts Stop is a full-service portable toilet company offering rentals, trailers, delivery, hand sinks and full clean out services. Along with the rentals they have a dependable, experienced work force. Pitts Stop runs four one-ton trucks that can maneuver easily to any site. They are equipped to meet all the needs that comes with providing portable restroom service. They offer construction site services, special events rentals including rodeos, picnics, family reunions, sports tournaments, birthday parties and weddings and receptions.
In recent years, Pitts Stop has expanded its coverage map to the San Angelo and Abilene areas, thanks in part to the addition of critical new employees.
“We took a leap, and the leap was well worth it,” Pitts said. “Everything has turned out to be great, and there’s still steady growth. Once we took over the company, we had a few people step into place. One of the guys we hired in Brownwood, his name is Seth Ross, we ended up moving him to San Angelo. In five quarters, he increased the San Angelo company by 43 percent. We’re very proud of Seth stepping up to the plate, he’s done a great job managing the San Angelo area.
“Payton Ragsdale has been a very good friend of mine for years. He’s come in and helped my dad tremendously and been an amazing addition. And the guys in Abilene, we came in and completely changed everything they knew about the business. For them to step up to plate and keep customers happy and do the job they are supposed to, everything fell into place after that.”
Expansion plans are continuing with Weatherford now on the radar.
“Within the next year and a half to two years we’ll have a full and operational yard in Weatherford and Marcus Sterling is going to run that,” Pitts said.
Regarding the most rewarding aspect of his work, Pitts said with laugh, “The phone ringing from 6 a.m. to midnight every day.” He continued, “Being in Brownwood, our family name is one of those where every time we walk in the door, we usually know somebody. Getting out of the Brownwood element and getting on a bigger scale, I’ve met new people, made new friends. I grew up seeing my grandfather and father walking in everywhere and they knew everybody and we’re getting on that level now in Abilene and San Angelo as we’ve gotten to know a handful of great people. Being able to make new friendships and do business on a larger scale is nice. I’ve really enjoyed having to be pushed to get out there and earn business rather than just having it given to me.”
Pitts is proud of his Brownwood heritage and fully supports the growth of the community.
“I want the best for this town,” Pitts said. “Once we got to the point that we could start rolling in support into Brownwood I was super thrilled about that. I love everything that Brownwood has to offer. I grew up here, I’m going to raise my children here. It’s a community that has open arms to anyone who wants to come into it. Supporting local has always been big in our family. I’ll do anything I can to support the growth and help Brownwood.”
Outside of work, Pitts and his family are closely involved with Buckmasters, the Boys & Girls Club of Brown County and youth golf at the Brownwood Country Club.
“We’ve supported Buckmasters since they first started,” Pitts said. “They actually had their very first hunt at the skeet range where our office is. Their first field hunt was at the place I grew up hunting at, Ronnie Watkins’ ranch. Seeing that grow, that’s been a major thing we’ve always been a part of.
“The junior golf at the Brownwood Country Club, I didn’t really start golfing until probably 2012 or ’13. I got in with Jimmy Tidwell, who taught me the game, and the Brownwood Country Club. Mark England has been an amazing addition to the club and the junior golf out there has grown. And the Boys & Girls Clubs, we’ve been a supporter of theirs for a long time. I love seeing all these charities grow.”