EcoShield Pest Solutions is expanding into Northwest Indiana with a Portage branch.

General Manager LaBraun Thigpen joined the company to build the location from the ground up.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to build something meaningful with a great team,” said Thigpen in a press release. “We want to be known for quality service, consistency and integrity.”

Regional Manager Steve Gaffney said Northwest Indiana is next in the pest management company's greater Chicago growth plans.

“Northwest Indiana gives us the opportunity to expand our service area while maintaining the customer experience and culture EcoShield is known for,” Gaffney said.

Thigpen is looking for local professionals to build its regional customer base.

“The people serving our customers are the foundation of everything we do,” Thigpen said.

The company also supports the community by volunteering and partnerships with local nonprofits.

“We want to be more than a service provider,” Thigpen said. “We want to be a positive part of the Northwest Indiana community.”

EcoShield Pest Solutions, which has headquarters in Arizona, was founded in 2008 and has branches in more than 30 states.