Exceptional Customer Service to be Honored at Legislative Conference

The top TRSA 2025 Above and Beyond Service awards are going to a route-accounting company heralded for excellence in training customers, a finishing-equipment manufacturer recognized for going the extra mile and a linen service manager who has steadily taken on additional responsibilities and remained memorable to customers as he’s moved up the corporate ladder.

They are to be acknowledged among the winners in 10 awards categories on Feb. 5 at the 15th Annual TRSA Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, which begins that afternoon and continues the following day with participants visiting Capitol Hill offices.

Gold-level Above and Beyond winners are:

Alliant Systems, Irving, TX. In nominating the company for this honor, Robert Potack, CEO, Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services, Elmsford, NY, described Alliant’s performance in upgrading the company’s legacy billing system as “invaluable to modernize and scale operations and serve customers better. Alliant trainers’ patience and approachability fostered an environment where everyone felt comfortable asking questions and addressing issues.”

Foltex USA, Columbia, SC. Joe Dan Reed, owner, Splash ‘Em Out Laundries, Lexington, KY, described his experience with Foltex from the initial inquiry to ongoing support as nothing short of extraordinary. From the top down, Foltex exemplified professionalism, attention to detail and a genuine commitment to customers. In his 20-plus years in the laundry industry, he’s found Foltex adhering to “a truly unmatched standard of service and quality.”

Jim Baker, Loop Linen Service, Westwego, LA. He joined the company in December 1993 as a driver and has held nearly every service department position up to branch manager. “Since joining Loop he has consistently been the person the company turns to when a critical task needs to be accomplished,” said Katy Quinn, the company’s sales VP. When Loop opened a new depot in Jackson, MS, “Jim went above and beyond by staying in a hotel for over a month to ensure the facility was fully operational, the team was well trained and everything was running smoothly. His dedication and leadership were key to the depot’s success.”

Silver-level recognition has been awarded to TJ Peterson of TJP Laundry Maintenance Solutions. Phil Vershaw, chief engineer, Mickey’s Linen & Towel, Villa Park, IL, nominated him for going “above and beyond on any project he does. Whether it’s climbing into a crossfolder to replace that hard-to-reach inner rod end bearing or filling in for a chief engineer on a much-deserved vacation, you can be assured you are in good hands.”

Honorable mention goes to:

Ed Shanks, Ecolab Textile Care, Farmington, MN. The senior territory manager exudes reliability from the onset of a chemical program installation – during sales, surveys and installation – ensuring that every phase meets and exceeds operational requirements, advancing efficiency.

Systems Performance Team, Kannegiesser ETECH, Minneapolis. Available 24/7, offering emergency help whenever needed, the team fixes equipment issues and ensures logistic rail systems, material-handling solutions and software run smoothly.

Customer Support Team, LinenMaster, Vero Beach, FL, hailed for serving the not-too-technically proficient, helping them sort through a myriad of software reports, explaining steps in calculations that produce data laundry customers need.

Marlene Frias, Novo Health Services, Miami. The 13-plus-year customer relationship manager’s ability to understand and address individuals’ unique needs and deep knowledge of the healthcare industry enables her to provide invaluable support and guidance to patients and their families during challenging times.

The Legislative Conference offers members the opportunity to influence the industry’s advocacy agenda and impact TRSA initiatives. On Feb. 5, volunteer leaders gather in TRSA committees to share information regarding best-management practices, trends, innovations and issues impacting their professions, companies and customers. Preparation begins for visits the following day to Capitol Hill, where members raise awareness of the industry’s social, environmental and economic benefits and educate legislators about its need for fair and balanced regulation. Keynoters at the conference include:

• Kaplan Mobray, a Wharton graduate who started in advertising, championed diversity at Deloitte and now serves as a consultant to multinational companies. Author of the 10Ks of Personal Branding, he’s recognized as one of the nation’s top business speakers for his leadership-development workshops, which he’s staged on five continents, helping individuals globally to build their brand, become better leaders and advance their careers.
• John Harwood, a journalist who analyzes U.S. elections, politics and the presidency. Over his three-decade career, he’s reported for the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNBC, CNN, PBS and NPR. He’s interviewed every president from George H.W. Bush to Joe Biden and received an Emmy nomination for his live CNBC town hall with President Barack Obama.

Visit www.trsa.org/legcon to register for the conference.