National Clothesline

During the Wisconsin Fabricate Institute’s fall conference and golf outing, new president Richard Klinke of Klinke Cleaners in Madison, WI, began his two-year term.

Klinke, CED, CPD, has been on the WFI board for four years. He has also served on the Drycleaners Environmental Response Fund program governor’s council for about seven.

Klinke Cleaners has been a family-run cleaning plant since its beginnings in 1933. Now, the company is run by Klinke, along with his father and brother.

During his term, Klinke hopes to provide greater support for members, offering help “through educational sessions, seminars and behind-the-scenes support both locally and nationally to control our regulations.”

During the association’s annual meeting, outgoing president Sue Doolin also began her term as past president.

Brian Cass of One Hour Martinizing was elected to serve a two-year term as vice president/
secretary/treasurer.

Remaining as directors for another three-year term will be: Jill Fitzgerald of Jill’s Cleaners Inc.; Tom Grimm of One Hour Martinizing; and Tim Jolliffe of Classic Cleaners. Arlene Tutkowski of National One Hour Cleaners was also slated to retain her position on the board before her recent death. The board will appoint someone to fill her term.

During the conference, WFI also named Jim Fitzgerald Sr. of the Herb Fitzgerald Company as an honorary member of the association.

The distinction is given to retired members who have served on the WFI board for at least five years, have been active members in the association for at least 20 years, and are voted in by the current WFI board. Honorary members receive the WFI bulletin Impressions free of charge and are invited to attend all WFI conferences.

Fitzgerald was nominated by Charles Cass of One Hour Martinizing.

Although he never officially served on WFI’s board, Fitzgerald was honored as a result of his long-time active membership in the association.

He first began his career in drycleaning in 1947 when he worked for his father, Herb, installing drycleaning equipment in plants throughout Wisconsin.

Fourteen years later, he took over the company after the death of his father, and he expanded it to be a market leader in Butler, WI. Since then, his three sons have taken the helm.

Over the years, Fitzgerald has served on WFI’s Auction, Scholarship and Hall of Fame committees.

Recently, he has been organizing the Fitzgerald Golf Classic to raise money for the Fitzgerald Scholarship fund, which annually provides two $2,000 scholarships to IFI’s finishing school.

Applications for the 2007 Fitzgerald Scholarship are being accepted until Jan. 5.

A committee of four members will review all applications and, those which successfully qualify, will be submitted for a random drawing. The winner will be announced at WFI’s state convention in February.

The program is open to any employer, employee or immediate family member of a firm that is currently a member or associate member of WFI.

Each scholarship will cover expenses up to $2,000. It can be applied to a one-week, two-week or three-week IFI course in Laurel, MD.

For more information, or to request application forms, contact the WFI office at (414) 529-4707.

The association will also be accepting nominations to the WFI Hall of Fame. The deadline is Dec. 29. Anyone who has made a significant contribution to the cleaning industry — whether living or deceased — may be nominated.

The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce and its Women’s Business Council recently honored Jan Caon-Barlow, president of Jan’s Professional Dry Cleaners in Clio, MI, with a 2006 Athena Award.

The distinction is given annually to a woman who personifies professional excellence in her business or industry, contributes considerable time and energy in order to provide community support, and also helps other women realize their leadership potential.

Caon-Barlow is president of the Clio Chamber of Commerce, president and a founding member of the Clio Area Educational Foundation. She is also a past president of the Michigan Institute of Laundering and Dry Cleaning.

Her business was recognized in 2003 as the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce’s woman-owned business of the year.


National Clothesline





		New officers begin terms in Wisconsin During the Wisconsin Fabricate Institute’s fall conference and golf outing, new president Richard Klinke of Klinke Cleaners in Madison, WI, began his two-year term. Klinke, CED, CPD, has been on the WFI board for four years. He has also served on the Drycleaners Environmental Response Fund program governor’s council for about seven. Klinke Cleaners has been a family-run cleaning plant since its beginnings in 1933. Now, the company is run by Klinke, along with his father and brother. During his term, Klinke hopes to provide greater support for members, offering help “through educational sessions, seminars and behind-the-scenes support both locally and nationally to control our regulations.” During the association’s annual meeting, outgoing president Sue Doolin also began her term as past president. Brian Cass of One Hour Martinizing was elected to serve a two-year term as vice president/ secretary/treasurer. Remaining as directors for another three-year term will be: Jill Fitzgerald of Jill’s Cleaners Inc.; Tom Grimm of One Hour Martinizing; and Tim Jolliffe of Classic Cleaners. Arlene Tutkowski of National One Hour Cleaners was also slated to retain her position on the board before her recent death. The board will appoint someone to fill her term. During the conference, WFI also named Jim Fitzgerald Sr. of the Herb Fitzgerald Company as an honorary member of the association. The distinction is given to retired members who have served on the WFI board for at least five years, have been active members in the association for at least 20 years, and are voted in by the current WFI board. Honorary members receive the WFI bulletin Impressions free of charge and are invited to attend all WFI conferences. Fitzgerald was nominated by Charles Cass of One Hour Martinizing. Although he never officially served on WFI’s board, Fitzgerald was honored as a result of his long-time active membership in the association. He first began his career in drycleaning in 1947 when he worked for his father, Herb, installing drycleaning equipment in plants throughout Wisconsin. Fourteen years later, he took over the company after the death of his father, and he expanded it to be a market leader in Butler, WI. Since then, his three sons have taken the helm. Over the years, Fitzgerald has served on WFI’s Auction, Scholarship and Hall of Fame committees. Recently, he has been organizing the Fitzgerald Golf Classic to raise money for the Fitzgerald Scholarship fund, which annually provides two $2,000 scholarships to IFI’s finishing school. Accepting applications Applications for the 2007 Fitzgerald Scholarship are being accepted until Jan. 5. A committee of four members will review all applications and, those which successfully qualify, will be submitted for a random drawing. The winner will be announced at WFI’s state convention in February. The program is open to any employer, employee or immediate family member of a firm that is currently a member or associate member of WFI. Each scholarship will cover expenses up to $2,000. It can be applied to a one-week, two-week or three-week IFI course in Laurel, MD. For more information, or to request application forms, contact the WFI office at (414) 529-4707. The association will also be accepting nominations to the WFI Hall of Fame. The deadline is Dec. 29. Anyone who has made a significant contribution to the cleaning industry — whether living or deceased — may be nominated. MI cleaner wins 2006 Athena Award The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce and its Women’s Business Council recently honored Jan Caon-Barlow, president of Jan’s Professional Dry Cleaners in Clio, MI, with a 2006 Athena Award. The distinction is given annually to a woman who personifies professional excellence in her business or industry, contributes considerable time and energy in order to provide community support, and also helps other women realize their leadership potential. Caon-Barlow is president of the Clio Chamber of Commerce, president and a founding member of the Clio Area Educational Foundation. She is also a past president of the Michigan Institute of Laundering and Dry Cleaning. Her business was recognized in 2003 as the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce’s woman-owned business of the year.

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