Awards & Highlights

2017 Award Recipients

ISSA presented the following awards to achievers in the professional cleaning industry during ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America 2017, September 11–14 in Las Vegas, NV.

Alan R. Tomblin, president and CEO of Network Services, Co., received the Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award. Tomblin has been in the cleaning industry for more than 30 years. He served on the ISSA Board of Directors as manufacturer director from 2007–2010, as vice president/president/international director from 2014–2016, and in an advisory capacity to several ISSA and ISSA Young Executives Society (YES) committees and roundtable discussion groups.

Tony Chiefari, vice president of sales and marketing for Claire Manufacturing Co., received the Manufacturer Representatives’ Distinguished Service Award. Chiefari was hired as a Claire Manufacturing regional manager in 1996 and worked his way up to his current position. During these years, Chiefari has developed trusted relationships within the manufacturer representative and distributor communities. He has been a confidant, mentor, and friend to representatives by working with them on pricing and goal setting and assisting them in their quest to pursue opportunities, growth, and new business.

Jerry Mitchell, formerly with Jerry Mitchell Associates, received the ISSA Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award. After 19 years in the janitorial supply industry, he decided to go into business for himself as an independent manufacturer representative. He served on the ISSA Manufacturer Representatives Council for many years. His son, Chris, and daughter Jennifer have worked alongside him in his manufacturer rep business, and his daughter Kim has worked at ISSA for more than 21 years, currently as the association’s director of conventions and meetings.

The Membership Development Award, which is granted to an individual who recruits at least 25 members, was awarded to Jim Chittom Sr., CEO of three jansan distributors: Athens Janitor Supply Co., Inc.; Roman Chemical Corp.; and Augusta Janitorial Supplies. After earning his business degree, Chittom began his career as a cleaning equipment specialist for a large multibranch distributor. He served on the ISSA Board as a distributor director from 1991–1993 and again as vice president/president/international director from 2007–2009. A passionate ISSA supporter, Chittom has been responsible for guiding more than 35 firms to join ISSA.

Michael Tighe, president of Industrial Cleaning Products, Inc., is this year’s recipient of the YES Industry Special Achievement Award. With more than 25 years of experience in several areas of the cleaning and maintenance industry, he has served on the ISSA Board of Directors from 2010–2012, is a former New England Sanitary Supply Association (NESSA) president, and is currently on the Executive Committee of the Triple S Board of Directors. He is certified as a Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) ISSA Certification Expert (I.C.E.) and has conducted hundreds of training and educational seminars and workshops, including serving as a YES featured speaker.

Derrick Zenker, KSS Enterprises, Inc., received the YES Rising Star Award. This award recognizes emerging leaders who are helping to change the way the world views cleaning by making positive and innovative contributions to their organizations and the overall cleaning industry.

Hygieia Network Announces 2017 Award Winners

The ISSA Hygieia Network, a nonprofit association dedicated to the advancement and retention of cleaning industry women, announced the winners of its third annual ISSA Hygieia Network Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to women’s advancement within the global cleaning industry.

The judging panel included:

• Gayle Capozzalo, executive vice president/chief strategy officer, Yale New Haven Health
• Lynn Frankenfield, executive director, Cleaning for a Reason
• Michelle Marshall, editor, European Cleaning Journal
• Renee Starr, vice president – strategic and national accounts, Essendant
• Jeff Tafel, executive director, IFMA Foundation
• Dan Weltin, editor-in-chief, Trade Press Media Group.

This year’s winners and awards include the following:

The Hygieia Member of the Year Award, which recognizes a member who has made an outstanding contribution to the cleaning industry, was awarded to Michelle Mercer, senior director business development supply chain, Aramark, for her work in promoting women in the workforce and within outside organizations.

The Rising Star of the Year Award, open to women aged 35 and under who have demonstrated their commitment to further the ideals and objectives of the ISSA Hygieia Network, was awarded to Michelle Munvez, vice president, Chemcraft.

The Man of the Year Award, open to a senior-level man who is dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in the cleaning industry, was presented to Mark Oldaker, vice president of operations and finance – commercial cleaning, Midwest Maintenance.

The Employer of the Year Award was awarded to Earth Friendly Products for promoting women in the organization and building a community of mentorship and support that has led to a dramatic increase of women in leadership positions in the company.

The Eidyia Award, which recognizes companies or individuals leading efforts to reduce illiteracy rates within the cleaning industry’s workforce, was presented to Professional Janitor Services of Houston.

During the ceremony, a Special Honors Award was presented to Hao Dang Tanascos, president, HAOskeeping Inc., for her dedication to diversity and inclusion within the industry.