ISSA Announces Winners in Cleaning Industry Achievement

ISSA has announced its 2020 Achievement Awards honorees, who will be recognized during the ISSA Show North America Virtual Experience, which is underway now through Thursday.

The Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Brian Slack, CEO of Pro-Link Inc., and the ISSA NextGen Rising Star Award in Honor of Jimmy Core will be presented to Kyle Pickens, regional sales manager with Home Depot Pro.

“We are pleased to recognize these two professionals who have made positive impacts in the cleaning industry,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “Slack has been a shining example of leadership and industry expertise throughout his career, and Pickens represents the future as an emerging leader in our industry.”

The Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award honors individuals with 10 years of industry experience who have demonstrated outstanding service to the cleaning industry through their innovation, professionalism, leadership, elevation of industry standards, promotion of the association’s growth and development, unselfish dedication without personal gain, and emulation of the ISSA Code of Ethics.  

Throughout his thirty-year career, Slack has dedicated himself to the continual improvement of the cleaning industry by championing training and helping customers implement optimal cleaning practices. Slack also has rendered an invaluable impact on ISSA, serving on the association’s Exhibitor Committee from 2013 to 2017.

ISSA NextGen Rising Star Award in Honor of Jimmy Core 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.

Pickens started with Home Depot Pro four years ago as a field sales professional in northern New Jersey. In 2019, he was promoted to regional sales manager for the institutional market in the New York/New Jersey metro market. Prior to joining the Home Depot, Pickens spent four years in outside sales in the maintenance, repair, and operations industry with W.W. Grainger Inc.

Slack and Pickens will receive their awards during the 2020 ISSA General Business Meeting, which will take place virtually for the first time ever, November 19 at 10:00 a.m. CST. The event takes place as part of ISSA Show North America Virtual Experience.