Today we’d like to introduce you to Frederick Surgeon.
Hi Frederick, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story begins with a deep belief in entrepreneurship and hard work. From an early age, I sought out ways to create opportunity and add value to my community. After earning an accounting degree from North Carolina A&T State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, I began my career as an auditor with Ernst & Young and later served as a Chief Financial Officer in behavioral health. Those experiences taught me discipline, attention to detail, and the importance of sound financial management.
I founded Surgeon & Associates, Inc. in 2006 to build a family of companies that would create jobs and serve people. That vision has evolved into a diversified portfolio including healthcare and mental health inpatient treatment facilities, Merry Maids franchises, Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, Mosquito Squad, and ultimately Sweet Valley Ranch — a 300-acre working farm and entertainment destination in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Sweet Valley Ranch was developed and is co-operated by my wife, Anita. Her creativity, organization, and attention to detail have been instrumental in shaping the guest experience—from the décor of our lodging options to the overall feel of the farm. My background in hospitality, including ownership of multiple Papa John’s Pizza franchises, shaped my understanding of customer service and operational excellence. Sweet Valley Ranch brings those lessons together by blending agriculture, recreation, and community engagement.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been rewarding but far from smooth. Every stage of growth brings a new set of challenges. At Sweet Valley Ranch, a significant learning experience has been working with overseas vendors to design and import the animatronic dinosaurs that bring Dinosaur World to life. Coordinating design, production, and shipping from China taught me the complexity of international logistics — from language barriers to quality control, customs delays, and cost fluctuations. Each shipment represents months of planning and problem-solving.
Another challenge has been caring for more than 350 animals from five different continents. Every species has unique needs, from specialized diets and climate-controlled habitats to veterinary care and behavioral enrichment. Ensuring each animal thrives requires ongoing research, skilled staff, and a deep respect for the responsibility that comes with animal stewardship.
Beyond the farm, our business footprint extends across several states in the Southeast. It requires strong systems, clear communication, and constant travel to manage quality and consistency among franchised and independent operations. In the franchised businesses, we meet corporate standards and audits. In the independently owned operations, we set our own benchmarks and lead by example. Balancing those dynamics is challenging, but it has resulted in a stronger and more disciplined organization.
Through it all, I have learned that success is less about avoiding problems and more about responding to them with patience, creativity, and persistence.
We’ve been impressed with Sweet Valley Ranch, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sweet Valley Ranch is a working farm and entertainment destination that blends agriculture, education, and adventure. We host four major seasonal events each year: Springtime Adventures, Dinosaur World, Backwoods Terror Ranch, and the Festival of Lights. Additionally, we offer interactive experiences, such as Hills & Thrills ATV Tours and our Highland cow encounter, Hanging with the Highlands.
We also operate Farmhouse Retreats, featuring themed lodging such as Queen’s Landing Log Cabin, The Pecan Lodge Tiny House, and Whitetail Cabin. Guests can relax, explore the farm, and enjoy an authentic rural escape only an hour from Raleigh.
We take pride in being authentic. This is a real farm, not a staged attraction. We grow crops, raise animals, and open our gates so others can experience it firsthand. Our team focuses on safety, cleanliness, and education while ensuring every visitor leaves with a memorable experience.
Sweet Valley Ranch is part of the broader family of companies under Surgeon & Associates, Inc., which operates across healthcare, franchised services, and hospitality. Collectively, our companies employ over 400 people in three states. Through our Sweet Valley Ranch Gives Back Program, we have raised more than $250,000 for local charities, including Habitat for Humanity and Operation Inasmuch.
What sets us apart is consistency and purpose. Whether we are managing a healthcare facility, cleaning a home, or hosting families on the farm, our mission remains the same: to serve people, create opportunities, and make a positive difference in the community.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Discipline, persistence, and vision have guided every part of my journey. I believe in setting clear goals, working with focus, and holding myself and others accountable. Adaptability has also been essential. Business environments change quickly, and I have learned to embrace innovation while staying true to our core values.
Equally important is my belief in empowering and inspiring employees. I want every person in our organization to feel a sense of ownership, whether they are greeting guests at Sweet Valley Ranch or servicing a customer’s yard through our pest control business. When people feel they own something, they take pride in its success. I strive to create that culture by setting expectations, providing incentives, and celebrating results. It has helped us maintain exceptional retention across our middle, senior, and executive management teams, and it continues to strengthen our organization’s foundation.
Faith also plays a central role in everything I do. Sweet Valley Ranch was built from the ground up, and there were times when continuing forward required more faith than resources. Those experiences reinforced my belief that purpose and perseverance are more powerful than circumstance. If you work hard, stay consistent, and treat people right, success will follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sweetvalleyranchnc.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetvalleyranchnc/
Image Credits
Courtesy of Sweet Valley Ranch
