Volunteer Leaders Address Awards Dinner Attendees
Attendees at TRSA’s Annual Leadership Awards Dinner on March 27 in Washington, DC, heard from the two winners of the Volunteer Leadership Award on the value of participating in association education efforts. This honor is reserved for individuals who are active in TRSA and who recognize the competitive benefits and economic value to their companies of strengthening the industry. This year’s honors in that category for operators went to Liz Remillong, strategic alliance vice president, Crothall Healthcare, Chesterbrook, PA; for associates, honors went to Mike Diedling, retired applications engineering manager, Pellerin Milnor Corp., Kenner, LA.
In brief remarks during the event at the Dupont Circle Hotel, Diedling described how many years ago he was asked to attend a Linen Supply Association of America convention (LSAA – changed to TRSA in 1979) and he was struck by how valuable such events are for attendees. Later, he realized he wanted to pass on what he’d learned to help the industry grow. “Something clicked inside and I said, ‘I want to get in a position where I can pass on to the future generation what this generation is teaching to me.’ And I was fortunate enough, lucky enough, in my 15 years at Pellerin Milnor, to be able to do that. It’s been very satisfying for me. I appreciate it very much.”
Remillong was unable to attend the Awards Dinner. However, she prepared a statement for Crothall colleague, Vice President Chris Corcoran, to read in her absence. “I’m truly honored to receive this TRSA volunteer leadership award,” Remillong said, noting that she will soon mark her 36th year in the industry. “When you do something you genuinely love, it doesn’t seem like work,” she wrote. “And it’s even more special when you’re recognized for it. Being part of TRSA and being able to serve in any capacity has been a pleasure and very rewarding for me as well. I feel fortunate that I have had a positive contribution in my time as Healthcare chair. I look forward to staying involved for years to come. I’m so appreciative for the entire TRSA team. I have great respect and admiration for what you do for the industry and for all of us every day.”
TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci returned the compliment, noting that TRSA couldn’t run effective programs without member support. “This comes from the heart of our staff,” he said after Diedling spoke. “We can’t do it without you. We can’t do it without our volunteer leaders, and we can’t do it without your subject-matter expertise. Thank you.”