Leading Laundry Women – Panel Reviews Challenges
(l/r) Panelists: Cori Bakos, Universal Linen; Nicole Palmer, Prudential Overall Supply; and Paula Hollis, HealthAssure Alsco, discuss issues facing women who manage textile services companies and plants.
A highlight of TRSA’s Production Summit & Plant Tours (Feb. 8-9) centered on a panel discussion by leading female executives in the textile services industry. The women – representing a range of companies from a one-plant independent to a large international operator – grappled with the issue of how to recruit more women to fill leadership ranks in the industry. They also reflected on their own career journeys and various obstacles they’ve overcome.
Johanna Ames, president of Ames Linen Service, Cortland, NY, moderated the panel discussion, held at the Hilton Houston Oak Post in Houston. Other panelists included Paula Hollis, general manager, HealthAssure by Alsco, Houston; Cori Bakos, plant manager, Universal Linen, Louisville, KY; and Nicole Palmer, regional manager, Prudential Overall Supply, Fresno, CA.
The format consisted of a series of questions Ames posed to the panel. Early on, she asked each woman to describe her background and how she got interested in the commercial laundry industry. Palmer had, perhaps, the most unusual background. She joined Prudential after working as an owner/operator of a plumbing service. Given that plumbing is generally a male-dominated field, she was familiar with the challenge of recruiting women in fields where men tend to predominate. “Recruiting females to snake a drain was pretty difficult,” she quipped. Palmer began in sales for Prudential, but found her niche in plant operations. She suggested that companies look for management trainees internally or outside among office staff, human resources departments or in production, such as a lead person on an ironer line. Women who value physical fitness also could be candidates for route service reps. “If I find a woman who does cross-fit on the weekends, I’m going to put her on a truck,” she said.
Hollis noted that part of the challenge of recruiting laundry managers – particularly women – stems from the fact that few people know that the industry exists. Even fewer know the high level of technology that’s common in today’s plants. “People don’t understand textile services,” she said. “It’s a hidden industry.”
TRSA can help the industry with its programs such as the Production Management Institute (PMI) and Executive Management Institute (EMI), which provides training for up-and-coming executives, including women. All three panelists have or are participating in one or both of these programs.
Reflecting on her own experience, Bakos credited TRSA – and networking with industry colleagues generally – as a huge benefit for anyone, male or female, that’s new to the industry management ranks. Anytime a technical or other noncompetitive question comes up, she reaches out to industry contacts. “I’ve never sent an e-mail and not gotten a response,” she said.
Hollis added that industry vendors are another key source of help for new managers in the laundry industry, regardless of gender. “Vendors are a great resource,” she said. “Get them in your plant.” Their expertise can help new managers understand the ins and outs of laundry processing.
Mentors – either within the company or outside the laundry industry – also can make a difference for women managers. Bakos cited Universal President Don Dimmitt with having helped her navigate various challenges, particularly when dealing with customers' questions about service issues. Palmer added that there are plenty of books and other resources for women in management. Prominent among these of course is Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, among others. Hollis suggested The First Time Supervisor’s Survival Guide by George Fuller as an excellent resource for people who are transitioning from hourly to managerial positions.
Yet another resource for female managers is TRSA’s Women in Textile Services, a networking group for women in the industry. Ames chairs this committee. The group plans to host a speaker at the Clean Show in June and is sponsoring a series of “icebreaker” cocktail receptions at upcoming TRSA events. Contact TRSA’s Salita Jones at sjones@trsa.org to learn more.