Lifetime Achievement: Former Alliant Chief Gets Supplier Award

TRSA announced today that Jeff Belcher, the former president and owner of Alliant Systems, Irving, TX, was selected as this year’s recipient of the Maglin-Biggie Lifetime Achievement Award for supplier-partner executives. Belcher will receive the award on Oct. 12 at TRSA’s Annual Awards Dinner, held in conjunction with the 110th Annual Conference at the Ritz-Carlton, Tiburon, in Naples, FL.

“It has always been a privilege to represent Alliant Systems and its predecessor organizations,” Belcher said. “I think back to all of the mentors, friends, co-workers and relationships, and realize the incredible impact that each of these individuals had on my career. These relationships spanned my fellow employees, each of our customers, those acquaintances developed through TRSA meetings and, in particular, TRSA’s EMI program and friends and colleagues in the industry. This collective guidance and advice helped shape the values and character of what Alliant Systems became, and I will always be thankful for each and every one of those that contributed with ideas, thoughts, advice and guidance.”

Belcher joined the linen, uniform and facility services industry in 1985, installing and providing support for soil-counting systems. Ultimately, he became the president and owner of Alliant Systems. Under Belcher’s leadership, the company grew to become the largest supplier of route accounting and mobile computing software solutions to independent textile rental companies. He retired from Alliant Systems in April 2022.

“Jeff’s leadership style was to lead by example at all times,” said Eric Smith, the director of sales and marketing at Alliant Systems. “He was a listener. He always wanted to know what operators were doing and what they needed to compete in the marketplace. He was great at developing teams, building consensus and finding solutions that would work for everyone.”

One of Belcher’s most significant contributions to the industry was assisting TRSA in its fight to protect the industry against patent-infringement claims that were threatening textile rental operators in 2019. Belcher provided countless hours of his time assisting behind the scenes to help work toward a solution for the industry. In addition to time, he also contributed significant financial resources. Belcher’s ability to work with industry associations and groups, other operators, and suppliers to help build consensus on a solution was critical to the final resolution, which was achieved at the end of 2021.

Under Belcher’s leadership, Alliant Systems always recognized the value that TRSA provides to the industry. Supplier-partner membership in TRSA was always important to him. Even more important was the value of TRSA-sponsored training programs, such as TRSA’s Executive Management Institute (EMI). Belcher was the first EMI graduate from Alliant Systems, and he went on to send another dozen or more Alliant managers and employees through the program to gain the same benefits and education that he received during his time in the program.

In 2012, he was one of eight industry veterans named to TRSA’s EMI Executive Task Force with a goal of improving the EMI curriculum. The task force made several changes to the program which have proven to be successful to this day. Changes to the curriculum included adding subjects such as technology, disaster management, succession and project management.

Previous winners of the Maglin-Biggie Lifetime Achievement Award include:

2022: Kevin Minissian – Norchem Corp., Los Angeles, CA

2020: Terry Shoreman – Washing Systems (WSI), Cincinnati, OH

2020: Steven Tinker – Gurtler Industries, South Holland, IL

2019: Milton Magnus – M&B Hangers, Leeds, AL

2018: David Hart – M+A Matting, LaGrange, GA

2017: Jim Pellerin – Pellerin Milnor Corp., Kenner, LA

2016: Ralph Howard – Kleen-Tex Industries Inc., Atlanta, GA

2015: Blaine Jackson – Kannegiesser USA, Grand Prairie, TX

2014: John Schultz – Ellis Corp., Itasca, IL

2013: Mike Carter – Century Place/Paragon, Charlotte, NC

2012: Jeff Frushtick – Leonard Automatics Inc., Denver, NC

2011: Mark Brim – Brim Laundry Machinery, Dallas, TX

2009: Jorn Munch Jensen – Jensen-Group, Bijenstraat, Denmark

2004: Lee “Skip” Kemberling – Kemco Systems, Clearwater, FL

2004: Norvin Pellerin – Pellerin Milnor Corp., New Orleans, LA

2003: Ray Paleczny – Thermopatch Corp., Syracuse, NY

2003: Bill Tingue – Tingue, Brown & Co., Saddle Brook, NJ

2002: Mike Dineen – Pellerin Milnor Corp., New Orleans, LA

2001: Ben Martin – VF Corp., Nashville, TN

2001: Tom Storm – Washing Systems (WSI), Cincinnati, OH

2000: Rudy Maglin – Dober Group, Woodridge, IL

1999: George Brown – VF Corp., Nashville, TN

1998: Gregory Kramer – Ecolab/Textile Care, St. Paul, MN

1994: Aaron Bitman – Penn Cos., Philadelphia, PA

1993: Mike Dineen – Pellerin Milnor Corp., New Orleans, LA

1992: Lloyd Bennett – Garment Corp. of America, Miami, FL

1989: Rudy Maglin – Dober Group, Woodridge, IL

1987: Steve Abelov – Angelica Uniform, St. Louis, MO

For more information and to register for TRSA’s 110th Annual Conference, visit www.trsa.org/annualconference. Register by Sept. 1 to save $100 and secure discounted pricing on your hotel room by booking by Sept. 8.