Healthcare Conference Speakers
The Hilton Boston Back Bay
Boston, MA
November 19-20, 2025
Speakers
Textile Research Scientist - Research & Development
Standard Textile Co. Inc.
Textile Research Scientist - Research & Development
Standard Textile Co. Inc.
Apurba Banerjee
Textile Research Scientist - Research & Development
Standard Textile Co. Inc.
Apurba Banerjee is a Textile Research Scientist at Standard Textile Corporation (STC) in Cincinnati, Ohio. At STC, she is part of the Research and Development Group that helps bring sustainable, value-added products to market in the field of Hospitality, Healthcare, and Interiors. Prior to STC, Apurba has had a diverse career in Sourcing, Product Development and Polymer Research while leading projects at companies such as Glowforge, Milwaukee Tool and brrr˚Inc. Outside of work, Apurba volunteers in leadership positions of many international standards organizations such as AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) and ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
She is a 2017 graduate of the PhD program of Polymer, Fiber, and Textile Science from the University of Georgia and a 2013 graduate of the master’s program of Apparel and Merchandising at Colorado State University.
CEO
Core Linen Services
Mike Barner serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Core Linen Services, a national leader in Healthcare Laundry and Linen Services, catering to over 1,000 locations across the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in food and facility services, Mike has held numerous operational and technology leadership roles, showcasing his versatility and expertise in the field.
Mike earned his MBA with a concentration in Information Services from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. He also holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. His extensive education and experience enable him to lead Core Linen Services with a clear vision and an innovative approach.
Under Mike's leadership, Core Linen Services continues to set the industry standard for quality and reliability, making significant strides in healthcare laundry and linen services. His dedication to excellence and his commitment to advancing the industry make him a distinguished figure in his field.
Vice President, Corporate Development
Nixon Medical
Ben joined Nixon Medical in 2005 and has held leadership roles in service, sales, operations and marketing. In 2015, Ben was promoted to Vice President, Sales where he served for eight years before becoming Nixon Medical’s first Vice President of Corporate Development.
As VP, Corporate Development, Ben is responsible for developing the company’s strategy to expand geographically, to identify and pursue opportunities and administer plans to advance Nixon Medical’s vision.
Prior to joining Nixon Medical, Ben spent several years in marketing research roles, which included management roles with IRI supporting client services for Johnson & Johnson and Campbell’s Soup Company.
Ben earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware, his MBA from The George Washington University and has completed executive coursework in Sales Management and Business Marketing Strategy at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
Ben is a second-generation shareholder of Nixon and works directly with his two brothers as stewards to the business founded by their father. Ben resides in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Erica, three children, and two dogs.
Vice President, Supply Chain
American Dawn
Syed Binali is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in supply chain management, manufacturing, quality, product development, and engineering. He has worked with suppliers and partners across 25 countries, developing strong expertise in global sourcing and international operations. His career spans a variety of industries, including medical devices, textiles, environmental services, and workplace safety products. Throughout his career, Syed has consistently delivered measurable improvements in cost efficiency, lead times, and product quality.
He currently serves as Vice President of Supply Chain at American Dawn, Inc., a leading importer and distributor of textile products for the foodservice, healthcare, and hospitality industries. In this role, he oversees the company’s purchasing, planning, sourcing, and product development functions. Syed focuses on improving operational efficiency, enhancing vendor performance, supporting commercial growth initiatives, and collaborating with executive leadership on strategic planning and business scalability.
President & CEO
Association for Linen Management
Sarah Brobeck serves as President and CEO of the Association for Linen Management (ALM), where she leads with a deep belief that the strength of any organization lies in its people. With nearly two decades in textile care services, Sarah is known for her collaborative nature and her commitment to working alongside other associations, organizations, and professionals to move the industry forward-together.
Since joining ALM in 2022, she has focused on listening to members and delivering programs that meet their real-world needs. Under her leadership, ALM has delivered record-breaking IMPACT conferences and launched Elevate, a hands-on workshop intensive created in direct response to member feedback. Its overwhelming success led to immediate expansion through 2026, reflecting Sarah’s commitment to practical, accessible education that empowers the workforce.
Her leadership is grounded in the belief that people are a company’s greatest asset-and that investing in their development leads to stronger teams, greater satisfaction, and better outcomes across the board. Under Sarah’s leadership, ALM is actively refining its educational framework to meet the evolving demands of the industry while laying the groundwork for long-term leadership development from the wash floor to the c-suite.
Sarah is passionate about helping people grow in confidence, skill, and purpose-so they can thrive in their roles and make meaningful contributions to the organizations and communities they serve.
President & CEO
George Courey Inc
Jeff Courey is the President & CEO of George Courey Inc, a prestigious 114-year-old institutional textile business renowned for manufacturing and distributing reusable healthcare products across North America. A visionary leader, Jeff collaborates with global manufacturing partners, implementing hedging strategies and country diversification audits to navigate complexities successfully. With a global perspective, Jeff is at the forefront of the institutional textile industry, actively collaborating with manufacturing partners from diverse corners of the world. His keen eye for market trends and unparalleled strategic thinking have led him to expertly navigate complex challenges, leveraging hedging strategies and conducting meticulous country diversification audits.
A prominent figure in the institutional textile community, Jeff's influence extends far beyond the boardroom. He is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, captivating audiences with insightful presentations on the evolving state of the global textile industry. Jeff's charismatic presence graces educational conferences and conventions throughout North America, igniting discussions and inspiring innovative solutions.
Jeff's influence extends to esteemed industry organizations, where he sits on the Board of Directors of both the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) and the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA). He also has the privilege of contributing to the American Laundry News publication regularly as a member of their Panel of Experts. Jeff holds a Bachelor's degree from the John Molson School of Business and a Master's degree from McGill University.
Futurist & Former Chief Economist
Consumer Technology Association
Acclaimed futurist and trendcaster, Dr. Shawn DuBravac is author of the New York Times Best Seller Digital Destiny: How the New Age of Data Will Transform the Way We Work, Live, and Communicate, which explores how the world’s mass adoption of digital technologies portends the beginning of a new era for humanity in the realms of business, healthcare, finance, transportation, and culture.
DuBravac is an internationally-recognized thought leader and top-rated keynote speaker, delivering pragmatic and provocative insights on the trends, technologies, and paradigms transforming the globe. His research focuses on the forces shaping tomorrow that are percolating on the periphery of society and business today. By providing an elevated view of developing trends, DuBravac empowers leaders and their organizations to improve strategic decision-making capabilities by understanding the changing landscape and identifying the opportunities that lie ahead.
DuBravac is president of Avrio Institute. Borrowing from the Greek Αύριο meaning tomorrow, the Institute helps leaders prepare for uncertain and divergent futures. Clients include Fortune 100 and Global 1000 companies, scrappy start-ups, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Grounded in economics, DuBravac served over 12 years as chief economist for the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the U.S. trade association representing more than 2,000 consumer tech companies, and owner and producer of CES.
DuBravac writes extensively on disruptive technological shifts and has been widely published on the topics of technology, finance, and economics. His analysis has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Financial Times, Washington Post, Wired, Los Angeles Times, Barron’s and on-air with CNBC, Bloomberg, NPR, CBS, and other media outlets. DuBravac has been named one of the top 50 futurist speakers to have at your conference by Readwrite, one of 27 finance thought leaders to read and follow by Prophix, and to Dealerscope’s “40 under 40” list of people to watch in the technology industry. He is a past-President of both the CFA Society of Washington, DC and the Conference of Business Economists, a founding trustee of the CTA Foundation, and a past board member of the National Association of Business Economists.
DuBravac has taught at the George Washington University School of Business, American University’s Kogod School of Business, the George Mason University School of Business, Marymount University School of Business, and the University of Mary Washington. He holds economic degrees from Brigham Young University and George Mason University. DuBravac resides in Virginia with his wife and three sons. When he’s not helping executive teams decipher coming shifts, he can be found climbing 14ers, running marathons, and coaching youth sports.
Senior Sourcing Manager
BJC Healthcare
Matthew Fauss is a Senior Sourcing Manager leading the Purchased Services Team at BJC HealthCare, where he brings over 13 years of experience in Supply Chain with a strong emphasis on Strategic Sourcing. Throughout his career, Matthew has developed deep expertise across multiple industries, including Consumer Packaged Goods, Manufacturing, and Healthcare.
In his current role, Matthew plays a pivotal role in managing complex supplier relationships and driving value through sourcing strategies that align with clinical and operational priorities. A notable achievement includes spearheading the creation of a laundry operation cooperative – St. Louis Healthcare Support Services, LLC – through a joint venture with SSM Health. This initiative is a landmark collaboration that strengthens supply chain resiliency, controls operational costs, and enhances linen quality ultimately supporting improved patient care across both health systems.
Known for a strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style, Matthew continues to shape supply chain innovations that meet the evolving needs of healthcare delivery.
Fogel joined Medline in 2013 as Vice President of Marketing for the disposable incontinence product division. Under his leadership, the business expanded its market-leading share and introduced several new, innovative products.
Prior to joining Medline, Fogel worked as a management consultant, advising pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device companies, and healthcare providers on marketing and growth strategies. He also spent two years at a private equity firm, where he developed investment sector strategies and evaluated investment opportunities.
Fogel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
President, Textile Division
Medline Industries Inc.
Jeremy Fogel is General Manager of Medline’s Textiles division, a position he has held since 2021. He is responsible for the division’s global supply chain, product development, value-add operations, sales and marketing strategies, and key growth initiatives. He also serves on Medline’s AI Steering Committee, helping to shape the company’s AI governance and providing strategic guidance on AI-related initiatives.
Fogel joined Medline in 2013 as Vice President of Marketing for the disposable incontinence product division. Under his leadership, the business expanded its market-leading share and introduced several new, innovative products.
Prior to joining Medline, Fogel worked as a management consultant, advising pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device companies, and healthcare providers on marketing and growth strategies. He also spent two years at a private equity firm, where he developed investment sector strategies and evaluated investment opportunities.
Fogel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
President
HHS-FMA Laundry
Phillip Foussard is President of HHS-FMA, the laundry management division of HHS, a national contract services provider to Healthcare, Hospitality and Aviation markets. Currently HHS-FMA operates nine operations serving over 200 hospitals and 3000 clinics. For the last 40 years Phil has lead clients in the development and operation of 25 central laundry facilities throughout the United States. He was the co-founder of Foussard Montague Associates the predecessor to HHS-FMA, and the President of United Linen Services which owned and operated plants in Lawrence, MA and Shreveport, LA. Phil and his wife Jeanne live in Scottsdale, AZ.
Director, Materials Management
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Joshua Green serves as the Associate Director of Materials Management Services at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he leads a high-performing logistics team responsible for the system-wide distribution of medical supplies, linens, lab coats, medical gases, and the oversight of shipping and receiving operations. Since joining MD Anderson in 2016 as an overnight supervisor in Patient Transportation, Joshua has advanced through multiple leadership roles by driving operational excellence, enhancing safety practices, and mentoring emerging leaders.
Prior to his healthcare career, Joshua served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 2000 to 2008. In that role, he managed both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for over 2,500 units of aviation support equipment and led global logistics efforts for critical assets throughout their lifecycle.
Following his military service, Joshua focused on raising his twin daughters while transitioning to civilian life, launching his career, and returning to school as a non-traditional student. He earned an MBA with a concentration in Supply Chain Management from the University of Houston-Downtown, along with a professional certification in Mastery of Healthcare Linen Management from the Association of Linen Management.
Joshua is passionate about building resilient, mission-aligned logistics operations that support patient care behind the scenes. He is committed to fostering engaged teams and advancing healthcare through operational integrity and continuous improvement.
Director, Advisory Solutions
Vizient
Stephanie brings over 25 years of experience in the health care industry. Stephanie’s areas of expertise and professional skills include driving cost savings, realizing operational efficiencies, and maximizing contract compliance through standardization and contract offerings. Stephanie holds the following experience among her key achievements and accomplishments: expanded and enhanced the laundry and linen category, grew revenue more than 20% across support services categories, and assisted key members in regulatory audits and training, helping to reduce readmissions and Medicare penalties for Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program (HACRP).
Prior to joining Vizient, Stephanie spent six years as a senior healthcare consultant with Source America U.S. Ability One Commission in military hospitals where she assisted with RFPs, and labor estimators on EVS, Food and Nutrition, Transportation, Plant Operations, and Laundry/Linen contracts. Additionally, she provided regulatory training to contractors on OSHA, DOT, and Hazardous Waste compliance, assisted with developing and implementing KPIs, task frequencies, performance improvement plans, and served as infection control environmental expert. Stephanie has robust experience in Environmental Services and Laundry/Linen, where she worked as Director at multiple facilities, including large academic medical centers, for profit, and not-for-profit facilities where she specialized in improving patient satisfaction scores and decreasing overall costs.
Regional Director of Service
Emerald Textiles
Ms. Hollo brings over 20 years of industry experience, most recently serving as Corporate Linen Manager for a major health system. In that role, she oversaw service agreements for more than 45 hospitals and supported regulatory inspection readiness. Now, as Regional Director of Service, Emerald Textiles, Ms. Hollo is responsible for operations across Southern California—including Los Angeles, Orange, Colton, and San Diego—as well as Phoenix, Arizona.
Director, Sales
MediCleanse Linen Service
Jesse Jassny, as Director of Sales for MediCleanse Linen Service, has championed the MediCleanse sales and marketing efforts over the past 20+ years. MediCleanse is a Hygienically Clean Healthcare certified and HLAC-accredited linen service provider serving the Pacific Northwest and Jesse is actively involved in infection prevention and surgery center associations through speaking regularly at state conferences and seminars.
CEO
Calderon Textiles
Ammar Khan has been the CEO of Calderon Textiles since 2021, leading the company’s growth and expansion across the U.S. He joined in 2011, developing a Supplier Development Framework to improve lead times and quality. With a background in Oil & Gas, he later led multiple sales teams before serving as VP of Sales from 2017 to 2021, focusing on strategy and process improvement. Known for fostering long-term partnerships, Ammar has played a key role in expanding Calderon’s distribution network and securing multiple Supplier of the Year recognitions.
Director, Membership / Industry Outreach
TRSA
Ken works with members to increase their engagement in TRSA programs and executes initiatives to improve TRSA’s industrywide relations, foster membership growth and increase member renewals and satisfaction. Since joining TRSA in 2010, he’s also directed marketing and outreach to industry customers. He was previously a communications director and publisher for the Uniform and Textile Services Association, which blended with TRSA in 2008.
President
City Uniforms and Linen
Rich brings 19 years of industry experience to his role as head of daily operations at City Uniforms & Linen in Findlay, Ohio. With a strong background in business development and production management—what his wife humorously calls “sales and telling people what to do”—he has led initiatives to introduce new products and implement lean processes aimed at enhancing customer experience and team engagement.
Passionate about cultivating a strong team culture, Rich fosters an environment that encourages intelligent risk-taking and innovation. He champions the Baldrige Criteria as a framework for delivering world-class products and services, always striving to create value for customers, employees, and stakeholders alike.
Director of Linen & Central Services
Mayo Clinic
Gabe Nowicki serves as the Director of Linen and Central Services at Mayo Clinic, where he oversees the distribution of clean textiles, sterilization of reusable medical instruments, and disinfection of patient care equipment. With over 20 years in healthcare leadership, including seven years as Quality Management Coordinator, Gabe brings deep experience in operational excellence, infection control, and regulatory compliance within large-scale healthcare environments.
He holds certifications in Certified Laundry and Linen Management (CLLM), Mastery in Healthcare Linen Management (MHLM), and is a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST). Gabe is also actively involved in industry advocacy and education, serving as Vice President of the Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter of the Association for Linen Management (UMVAILM), where he supports professional development and continuous improvement across the region.
Gabe has been instrumental in launching process improvement initiatives focused on patient safety, sustainability, and staff engagement. He is a passionate educator who teaches Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) for ALM’s Laundry and Linen College, emphasizing practical tools and leadership strategies for advancing linen services.
University Director of Buildings & Grounds
UConn Health
James E. Odom Jr. (J.J.) currently serves as the University Director of Buildings & Grounds at UConn Health in Farmington, Connecticut. With a career spanning 38 years in the health care industry, J.J. began his journey in frontline roles—including Environmental Services, Laundry, and Floor Technician—before rising to the director level, a position he has held for over 33 years.
Throughout his career, J.J. has also taken on project management responsibilities and has had direct oversight of several departments, including Environmental Services, Patient Transportation, Minor Maintenance, Linen, and Grounds & Landscaping.
An active and dedicated member of the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), J.J. has contributed to numerous AHE committees, including the Advisory Council, Exchange Planning, Nomination, and Knowledge & Education Committees. He also served six years as an at-large board member and one year as Chapter President of the AHE New England Chapter.
As of January 1, 2025, J.J. serves as an at-large board member on the AHE Advisory Board. At AHE’s 2025 Summit in Columbus, Ohio, he was elected Chair-Elect for the 2026–2028 term and will assume the role of Advisory Board Chair beginning January 2028.
Vice President, Strategic Alliances
CORE Linen Services
Liz Remillong is the Vice President of Strategic Alliances at CORE Linen Services. With 39 years of expertise in commercial healthcare laundry, she has built a career defined by leadership and innovation. Her professional path has taken her through esteemed organizations such as Xerox, Marriott, and Sodexo, before she joined Crothall , now CORE Linen Service ,in 2006.
President & CEO
TRSA
Joseph Ricci is President and CEO of TRSA, the leading organization representing international, national, regional, and independent operators in the $40+ billion linen, uniform, and facility services industry, serving businesses, retailers, hospitals, long-term care facilities, restaurants, and hotels. TRSA advocates for fair, balanced regulation and helps members improve productivity, safety and sustainability through professional development, benchmarking and certification. His leadership has led to unprecedented membership retention and growth, as well as launching certification programs that quantify the industry’s commitment to professionalism, cleanliness and sustainability including Hygienically Clean and Clean Green. In addition, he has helped forge improved relationship with the international laundry community by working closely with the global organizations to establish the International Textile Services Alliance (ITSA) and World Textile Services Congress. Ricci has 30+ years of practical experience in association and business management and has testified before the United States Congress on issues ranging from homeland security to organized labor and was recently named one of the Top Association CEOs by CEO Update. Ricci is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), is an active member of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Council of Manufacturing and serves on the Virginia Tech Pamplin School of Business Hospitality & Tourism Advisory Board. He is a member of the Capitol Hill (Republican) Club, Fraternal Order of the Eagles and Old Dominion Boat Club. He earned a Masters in Business Administration from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Virginia Tech.
Infection Preventionist
Moffitt Cancer Center
Jenna Kay Rivers is a certified Infection Preventionist at Moffitt Cancer Center, where she has held her current role since 2020. She partners with leadership to implement and monitor infection control strategies, utilizing principles of epidemiology to prevent the spread of disease across high-risk oncology environments. Her work includes conducting compliance audits, supporting staff education, and applying infection prevention principles tailored to patients across all life stages.
Jenna began her career at Moffitt in 2013 as an outpatient scheduler and registrar, steadily advancing into infection prevention through dedication and continued education. She earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) with a dual concentration in Epidemiology and Global Communicable Disease from the University of South Florida. She holds certifications in Public Health (CPH) and Infection Control (CIC).
In 2024, Jenna received the National APIC Emerging Leader in Infection Prevention Award, recognizing her professional growth and commitment to advancing infection prevention and control on both local and national levels.
Her professional interests include Environmental Services (EVS), Facilities and Construction, Intensive Care Units (ICU), and Dialysis — areas where she is especially focused on reducing infection risk through proactive collaboration and evidence-based practices. She is an engaged member of APIC and FPIC.
Director, Strategic Sourcing
Healthtrust
Trevor Rotondo, Director of Strategic Sourcing, Purchased Services. Trevor joined the HealthTrust Performance Group team in December of 2012 to source and negotiate Purchased Services with a main focus on all categories related EVS. He has since served as the subject matter expert for all things Laundry & Linen and EVS Textiles related for HPG and its members. Trevor manages the supplier relations with the GPO and often serves as representative proxy on behalf of members in customer specific negotiations. Prior to his time in healthcare with HealthTrust, Trevor worked in hospitality both in the hotel industry and in university life.
Vice President, Government Relations
TRSA
Founder & President
Stangle Co. Advisors
Greg Stangle is founder and President of Stangle Co. Advisors and IG2. Greg is an experienced M&A investment banker advising clients on exit strategies, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions in a multitude of industries. Greg has a track record of successfully engineering the sale of private companies to public companies and private equity firms for maximum value. Greg is also a corporate, M&A, securities and technology attorney. Greg has advised hundreds of clients on transactions with total deal values into the billions of dollars.
An entrepreneur by nature, Greg has been a founder and investor in other private businesses and real estate. Greg founded and built his own records management, data storage, shredding, imaging and software escrow businesses, which he sold to publicly traded companies.
Greg is a frequent speaker at various industry events on M&A, business and legal topics. He has been involved with organizations including i-SIGMA, NAID and PRISM on policy and best practices. Early in his career, Greg practiced law with the firm Piper Rudnick (now DLA Piper) and worked for the investment bank Kemper Securities, Inc.
Greg has been featured in Fortune Small Business magazine and his businesses have been nominated for prestigious industry awards. Greg has served as an expert witness in high stakes business litigation.
Greg earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law. While at DePaul, his article on diplomatic relations was published in the DePaul Digest of International Law, and he completed a federal legal internship with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Greg is an active member of his community including as a parishioner at St. Isaac Jogues Church, a coach in youth sports, a judge at the Illinois Regional and State Science Fairs, and participant in philanthropic activities including Feed My Starving Children and local food drives. Greg is a member of the Board of Directors of the Jacaranda of Naples Condominium Association, Inc. In his free time, Greg can be found on the tennis court, golf course or ski slopes with his family. Greg lives in Hinsdale, Illinois with his wife and three sons.
Director of Maintenance Strategy & IT
HandCraft Services Inc.
Brian Sullivan serves as Director of Maintenance Strategy & IT at HandCraft Services, where he unites technology and maintenance to strengthen operational reliability and efficiency. With a background spanning both laundry operations and industrial automation, he brings a unique perspective to process improvement and systems integration. Brian is driven by a passion for using technology to optimize performance, support teams, and advance innovative solutions that move the business forward, empower teams, and create smarter, more efficient operations.
Director, Clinical Education
Handcraft Services Inc.
Dyan Troxel, MSN, RN is a registered nurse holding a master’s degree in nursing with a specialization in education. She has extensive experience in clinical and non-clinical settings including Surgical ICU, Neonatal ICU, Education, Process Improvement, and Healthcare Leadership. Currently serving as Director of Clinical Education at HandCraft Linen Services, Dyan leads the Linen Awareness Program, crafting integrated strategies to help clients effectively prevent linen loss.
Industrial Engineer
Superior Linen Services
In her previous life as a scientist, engineer, and university professor, Laura learned to lead teams with diverse skillsets and combine sources of knowledge to develop solutions to challenging problems. And now, Laura is honored to follow the family laundry tradition as the fourth generation Waldman at Superior Linen Service.
