National Clothesline

There is truth in the old adage: the whole may be greater than the sum of its parts. However, in the drycleaning industry, there are some parts that play a more important role than others.

At Clean ’07, the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (formerly known as the International Fabricare Institute) honored some of the top people and firms whose individual efforts have made the entire drycleaning industry better.

The Meritorious Service Awards tradition dates back to the Orlando Clean Show in 1999. Every other year, DLI ’s Awards Selection Committee sifts through numerous worthy nominations and hands out a new batch of awards.

This year in Las Vegas, DLI honored six individuals, one company and two government agencies.

Earning the association’s highest honor — the Diamond Achievement Award — was Jeff Miller of Miller’s Fine Drycleaning in Hendersonville, NC.

Miller joins a prestigious group of past Diamond Achievement winners, including: Chris Edwards in 2005, Stan Golomb in 2001, and Barney Deden in 1999.

He captured national headlines in the Fall of 2006 when he conceived and implemented the HonorAir project. His efforts made it possible for more than 500 veterans to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.

Logistically, the trip was quite complicated as something in such a scale had never been attempted before, and many of the veterans were hampered by financial and physical hardships.

Yet, Miller and his local community managed to raise over $130,000 in only a few months in order to charter a jet, lease a couple of coaches and pay for the meals and various expenses incurred along the journey.

“He was willing to do whatever it takes to get this done,” DLI CEO Bill Fisher noted.

Since the first HonorAir project came to fruition in 2006, many other spin-off programs have subsequently sprung up around the country. In fact, Miller could not attend Clean ’07 to receive his award in person because he was in Washington, DC, with a group of veterans from Little Rock, AR.

Also during the awards presentation, DLI handed out two Industry Positive Recognition Awards recognizing individuals who have successfully improved consumers ’ awareness and understanding of the drycleaning industry.

An international version of the award was given to Antoine Badr, owner of Maryland Dry Cleaners in Beirut, Lebanon.

Having been a cleaner for more than a quarter century, Badr has often fought strongly against aggressive attacks on perc in his capacity as president of the Lebanese Dry Cleaners Syndicate.

He has also helped develop drycleaning regulations in Lebanon and has served as an educator to the public and government about drycleaning at various meetings and conferences.

With the honor, Badr joined ranks with an elite group. The only other international winner of the Industry Positive Recognition Award is Emmanuel Azzopardi of Queen ’s Dry Cleaning in Balzan, Malta.

Representing the American contingent of the category was Nelson Kravetz, who has volunteered his services as the North Eastern Fabricare Association ’s Director of Consumer Affairs for more than 20 years.

In that capacity, he has successfully mediated hundreds of garment claims and has helped restore many consumers ’ faith and trust in drycleaners.

Kravetz has been involved in the industry since 1946. At that time, he left the Air Force and joined his father ’s tailor ship in Norwood, MA.

Other past winners of the Industry Positive Recognition Award include: Doris Easley, Jan Stevenson-Johnson, Donald Schelling, Paul Gelpi, Edward Boorstein, and Barbara Harvey, who recently began her tenure as IFI ’s president.

During Clean ’07, DLI handed out its first posthumous Meritorious Award to Carl Gardner of Laidlaw Corp, who passed away last June after battling an aggressive form of cancer.

The award is biennially given to individuals who dedicate themselves to improving the professionalism of cleaners everywhere, a trait Gardner certainly personified every day of his life.

As a long-time member of PDCA, he was always passionate about upgrading cleaning skills and setting an example of selflessness in good works to benefit others.

He always held a soft spot for charitable causes; one of his favorites was the Central Pennsylvania Drycleaners Association ’s annual golf outing to benefit the York County Special Olympics, which he started over 15 years ago.

Laidlaw’s Mike Achin accepted the award on behalf of Gardner’s family. Other past winners of the award include: Brent McWilliams, David Silliman, Donald Desrosiers and Carmelia Bernardi.

No matter how professional cleaners strive to be, however, there will always be a mountain of regulations facing the industry, which is why DLI ’s Legislative/Regulatory Award is so important.

Traditionally, DLI has recognized individuals who have actively worked on critical legislative or regulatory issues that concern cleaners.

Among those singled out in the past are: Jack Alquist, Mack Davis, Sto Fox, Denny Shaffer, David Norford, Steve Risotto, Dale Kaplan, John Neal and Abraham Cho.

This year’s recipient was Gerald Stavely of Martinizing Dry Cleaning in Irving, TX. He was instrumental in getting the Texas State Environmental Cleanup Fund passed in 2003, and has since utilized his drive and determination to make the Texas fund a reality today.

Stavely was also a key figure in the efforts for the Barton Bill.

The last individual honored during DLI’s Clean Show ceremony was Kenney Slatten, who earned the Allied Trades Award, which typically honors suppliers, distributors and consultants who provide long-term service of a substantial nature to the industry.

Slatten, a columnist for Western Cleaner & Launderer, is currently actively involved in the San Diego Drycleaners Association, the California Cleaners Association, and the Western States Drycleaners and Launderers Association.

Most cleaners can easily spot him by the ten-gallon cowboy hat he dons, but it was his tireless advocacy of cleaners that singled him out amongst the candidates for the award. He can often be heard voicing his opinions at countless legislative and regulatory meetings.

Other individuals who have won the Allied Trades Award in the past include: Jim Hericks of FabriClean, Ronald Kantor of Leather-Rich, Inc., Carol Memberg of National Clothesline, Bruce Kahn of Aristo Craft Supplies, Inc., Jan and Henry Parker of Safety & Environmental Compliance Consultants, Inc., and Ed Ustik of Phenix Supply Co.

This time out, DLI’s Awards Selection Committee opted to recognize two organizations for its 2007 Green Fields Award: the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Both were praised for their objective evaluation and position on perc drycleaning.

The award is designed to honor those who make lasting environmental contributions. Other recipients include: David Dawson, Jim Douglas, Dr. Jim Schreiner, Gordon Shaw, Jamie Johnston, Dr. Manfred Wentz, and Ann Hargrove.

The final award on the list was for “Technology Trailblazer” GreenEarth Cleaning. In the past, DLI has only handed out one award in this category: Exxon Chemical Co. took it home in 1999 for its development of the DF-2000 solvent.

According to Fisher, DLI is patient when handing out this particular distinction.

“We don’t like to give these out when somebody just comes out with something,” he said. “We want to make sure that it’s good, viable and it’s going to to be something that works for the industry.”




						Nine honored with awards for service to the industry




	JUly 2007 This Issue Back Issues Classified Ads Dateline Resources Allied Trades Associations Instruction ABOUT US Home

						There is truth in the old adage: the whole may be greater than the sum of its parts. However, in the drycleaning industry, there are some parts that play a more important role than others. At Clean ’07, the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (formerly known as the International Fabricare Institute) honored some of the top people and firms whose individual efforts have made the entire drycleaning industry better. The Meritorious Service Awards tradition dates back to the Orlando Clean Show in 1999. Every other year, DLI ’s Awards Selection Committee sifts through numerous worthy nominations and hands out a new batch of awards. This year in Las Vegas, DLI honored six individuals, one company and two government agencies. Earning the association’s highest honor — the Diamond Achievement Award — was Jeff Miller of Miller’s Fine Drycleaning in Hendersonville, NC. Miller joins a prestigious group of past Diamond Achievement winners, including: Chris Edwards in 2005, Stan Golomb in 2001, and Barney Deden in 1999. He captured national headlines in the Fall of 2006 when he conceived and implemented the HonorAir project. His efforts made it possible for more than 500 veterans to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. Logistically, the trip was quite complicated as something in such a scale had never been attempted before, and many of the veterans were hampered by financial and physical hardships. Yet, Miller and his local community managed to raise over $130,000 in only a few months in order to charter a jet, lease a couple of coaches and pay for the meals and various expenses incurred along the journey. “He was willing to do whatever it takes to get this done,” DLI CEO Bill Fisher noted. Since the first HonorAir project came to fruition in 2006, many other spin-off programs have subsequently sprung up around the country. In fact, Miller could not attend Clean ’07 to receive his award in person because he was in Washington, DC, with a group of veterans from Little Rock, AR. Also during the awards presentation, DLI handed out two Industry Positive Recognition Awards recognizing individuals who have successfully improved consumers ’ awareness and understanding of the drycleaning industry. An international version of the award was given to Antoine Badr, owner of Maryland Dry Cleaners in Beirut, Lebanon. Having been a cleaner for more than a quarter century, Badr has often fought strongly against aggressive attacks on perc in his capacity as president of the Lebanese Dry Cleaners Syndicate. He has also helped develop drycleaning regulations in Lebanon and has served as an educator to the public and government about drycleaning at various meetings and conferences. With the honor, Badr joined ranks with an elite group. The only other international winner of the Industry Positive Recognition Award is Emmanuel Azzopardi of Queen ’s Dry Cleaning in Balzan, Malta. Representing the American contingent of the category was Nelson Kravetz, who has volunteered his services as the North Eastern Fabricare Association ’s Director of Consumer Affairs for more than 20 years. In that capacity, he has successfully mediated hundreds of garment claims and has helped restore many consumers ’ faith and trust in drycleaners. Kravetz has been involved in the industry since 1946. At that time, he left the Air Force and joined his father ’s tailor ship in Norwood, MA. Other past winners of the Industry Positive Recognition Award include: Doris Easley, Jan Stevenson-Johnson, Donald Schelling, Paul Gelpi, Edward Boorstein, and Barbara Harvey, who recently began her tenure as IFI ’s president. During Clean ’07, DLI handed out its first posthumous Meritorious Award to Carl Gardner of Laidlaw Corp, who passed away last June after battling an aggressive form of cancer. The award is biennially given to individuals who dedicate themselves to improving the professionalism of cleaners everywhere, a trait Gardner certainly personified every day of his life. As a long-time member of PDCA, he was always passionate about upgrading cleaning skills and setting an example of selflessness in good works to benefit others. He always held a soft spot for charitable causes; one of his favorites was the Central Pennsylvania Drycleaners Association ’s annual golf outing to benefit the York County Special Olympics, which he started over 15 years ago. Laidlaw’s Mike Achin accepted the award on behalf of Gardner’s family. Other past winners of the award include: Brent McWilliams, David Silliman, Donald Desrosiers and Carmelia Bernardi. No matter how professional cleaners strive to be, however, there will always be a mountain of regulations facing the industry, which is why DLI ’s Legislative/Regulatory Award is so important. Traditionally, DLI has recognized individuals who have actively worked on critical legislative or regulatory issues that concern cleaners. Among those singled out in the past are: Jack Alquist, Mack Davis, Sto Fox, Denny Shaffer, David Norford, Steve Risotto, Dale Kaplan, John Neal and Abraham Cho. This year’s recipient was Gerald Stavely of Martinizing Dry Cleaning in Irving, TX. He was instrumental in getting the Texas State Environmental Cleanup Fund passed in 2003, and has since utilized his drive and determination to make the Texas fund a reality today. Stavely was also a key figure in the efforts for the Barton Bill. The last individual honored during DLI’s Clean Show ceremony was Kenney Slatten, who earned the Allied Trades Award, which typically honors suppliers, distributors and consultants who provide long-term service of a substantial nature to the industry. Slatten, a columnist for Western Cleaner & Launderer, is currently actively involved in the San Diego Drycleaners Association, the California Cleaners Association, and the Western States Drycleaners and Launderers Association. Most cleaners can easily spot him by the ten-gallon cowboy hat he dons, but it was his tireless advocacy of cleaners that singled him out amongst the candidates for the award. He can often be heard voicing his opinions at countless legislative and regulatory meetings. Other individuals who have won the Allied Trades Award in the past include: Jim Hericks of FabriClean, Ronald Kantor of Leather-Rich, Inc., Carol Memberg of National Clothesline, Bruce Kahn of Aristo Craft Supplies, Inc., Jan and Henry Parker of Safety & Environmental Compliance Consultants, Inc., and Ed Ustik of Phenix Supply Co. This time out, DLI’s Awards Selection Committee opted to recognize two organizations for its 2007 Green Fields Award: the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Both were praised for their objective evaluation and position on perc drycleaning. The award is designed to honor those who make lasting environmental contributions. Other recipients include: David Dawson, Jim Douglas, Dr. Jim Schreiner, Gordon Shaw, Jamie Johnston, Dr. Manfred Wentz, and Ann Hargrove. The final award on the list was for “Technology Trailblazer” GreenEarth Cleaning. In the past, DLI has only handed out one award in this category: Exxon Chemical Co. took it home in 1999 for its development of the DF-2000 solvent. According to Fisher, DLI is patient when handing out this particular distinction. “We don’t like to give these out when somebody just comes out with something,” he said. “We want to make sure that it’s good, viable and it’s going to to be something that works for the industry.”