NCALC installs officers, directors at convention
When the North Carolina Association of Launderers and Cleaners closed the books on its 102nd annual convention this May, they had recorded 170
attendees and 19 exhibitors for the event.
The attendance was a little shy of NCALC’s record numbers set two years ago at its 100th annual convention.
During the association’s General Membership Meeting, the new term’s officers and directors were appointed, including the incoming president.
Simon Vick will take over the president’s gavel from Gloria Cowell, bringing with him over 25 years of experience on the
NCALC board.
He has served at various positions for the association: at-large director,
district director, regional vice president, vice president of member services,
vice president of administration, secretary, and president-elect.
Vick is the third generation owner and operator of Vick’s Cleaners in Kinston, which was started back in 1899 under the name of Kinston
Laundry.
The company has evolved quite a bit since then, and much of it is due to Vick’s willingness to embrace new technology.
In fact, he was one of the first in the country to install European up-air
finishing equipment over 15 years ago.
He also stayed on the forefront of the industry by using computerized POS
systems and bar-coding and automated assembly early on.
Joining Vick as an officer is Marvin Thomas, who is the incoming
president-elect. Thomas is the vice president of Swannanoa Cleaners in
Asheville.
He moved to North Carolina about 14 years ago. Prior to that, he was the
president of Georgetown Laundry in Georgetown, SC. Thomas has been on NCALC’s board for over a decade now, working as an at-large director, district
director, treasurer, and vice president of member services.
Making the step from district director to treasurer will be Larry Hill, who is
also the president of American and Dandy Cleaners in Charlotte.
Many officers will continue to resume the same roles for NCALC, including Chris
Edwards, president of ACW Management Corporation. He will remain vice president
of governmental affairs.
Bayard Crumpton of Nuway Cleaners will continue his position as vice president
of membership, and Wes Sessoms will fulfill another term as vice president of
member services.
Returning for another term as association secretary is Tom Volk of Williamston
Cleaners. Bill Sessoms will also continue in his capacity as sgt.-at-arms.
Kevin Lawson of Tri-State Laundry and Equipment Company was selected to replace
Ken Farrington as the allied trades representative to the board and on the
executive committee.
Comprising the spots of the seven districts will be the following: Rich Volk,
District 1; Allan Cheatham, District 2; Brenda Honeycutt, District 3; Lindley
Smith, District 4; Roger Routh, District 5; Jimmy Lee, District 6; and Tom
Wilson, District 7.
Filling the positions of directors at-large will be: Young Bang, Joan Bartlett,
Al Cardenas, Patrick Cardenas, Bailey Dempsey, Ken Farrington, Rita Foley, Tom
Gosselin, Randy Johnson, Rick Kane, Billy Kincaid, Charisse Lassiter, Cooki
Patel, Denny Shaffer, Bob Smart, Eddie Stephenson, Carol Strother, John Thomas
and Bart Williams.
