Association Publisher Names Ricci Top CEO

CEO Update cited immediate revenue increases prompting an overall revenue rise of 33% during the past three years, without any significant dues increase by building nondues-generating initiatives such as education and certification programs, which reduced the association’s overall dependency on dues revenues by 12%. By fulfilling his commitment upon hiring to “spend one week a month visiting members,” he has visited with more than 125 members and prospects, resulting in a 21% increase in revenues from new-member dues.

As a result of the association’s commitment to transparency and proactive government relations led by Vice President of Government Relations Kevin Schwalb, TRSAPAC contributions have increased tenfold (eclipsing $200,000 in the 201-’12 election cycle. Schwalb also has overseen a handful of regulatory and legislative wins for the industry. In addition, under his leadership, TRSA was recognized for building grassroots support for federal and state-government relations’ activities, the latter including initiatives that would have limited the market and increased expenses for members in California and Washington state.

“This honor belongs to our members and volunteer leadership,” Ricci said. “Their support and responsiveness to all our recent initiatives, from advocacy to certification to education, has increased TRSA’s effectiveness. It is a great pleasure to work with them to find new ways to expand and protect the industry by representing their interests and facilitating their exchange of information.”

Initiated in 2012, TRSA’s company certification programs verify laundry operations as Clean Green (quantifying their sustainability) and Hygienically Clean (laundered product quality). In addition to ensuring that facilities reach quantified performance levels (not exceeding water/energy use and microbial content thresholds, respectively), the designations require inspections and documentation of best practices.

A total of 37 companies in the U.S. and Canada operating a combined 78 laundryprocessing plants are currently Clean Green. Five additional applications (combining for 19 plants) are pending for the certification. Fifteen plants have been designated Hygienically Clean, with 20 more being processed.

The individual certification, Certified Professional Laundry Manager (CPLM), quantifies production and management knowledge to objectively distinguish highly competent managers. Earning the CPLM designation requires 75+ hours of interactive instruction and team exercises with Web-based training, as well as passing a comprehensive exam and making a commitment to continuous professional development. A total of 96 individuals have earned the CPLM to date.

“These programs, combined with new education and networking opportunities, are the most visible reflection of Joe’s dedication to improving the value of TRSA membership,” said TRSA Chairman Jim Doro, Doritex Corp., Alden, NY. “Just as pertinent are his improvements to TRSA’s longstanding programs that expand and protect the market for textile services through advocacy and increasing professionalism and productivity.”

“The recognition really must also be shared with the TRSA staff,” said Ricci, “Our team has continually risen to the challenge of implementing more professional-development opportunities, enhancing communications and launching new initiatives.” TRSA accomplishments under Ricci’s leadership include:

Membership growth (10%) and retention (91%)

• Educational institute (PMI, EMI, MMI) attendance up 15%
• Launched Leadership/Legislative Conference attracting more than 125 industry leaders to Washington each year to meet with and educate their congressional representatives
• Established industry outreach to promote members to the complete range of markets that use textile services: manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, food & beverage, others
• Redesigned Textile Services magazine, TS Weekly e-news, www.TRSA.org and www.TRSABuyersGuide.org and developed new business plans for each, increasing readership and advertising revenue
• Developed “friends” in Congress who support business growth and balanced regulation
• Increased PAC involvement by 1,000%
• Expanded relationships with regulatory agencies including EPA, OSHA, Department of Labor and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Implemented governance in leadership, resulting in improved committee structure and performance, including launching a Strategic Planning Committee and developing of a five-year rolling plan for the Nominating Committee to ensure continuity and diversity in leadership

“TRSA, which celebrated its 100th Anniversary last year, hired me to complete the blending of two organizations (TRSA and the Uniform & Textile Service Association) with long, rich histories,” said Ricci, “The process, led by myself and COO Tom Newell, has resulted in a more productive, cohesive staff, recognized for our ability to get it done.”

These initiatives and success have resulted in TRSA’s ability to achieve an operational surplus for the past two years and contribute more than $500,000 to its reserve to secure the financial future of the organization.