DLI’s Board of Directors recognizes valued contributions and inducts new volunteer leadership each year. New Directors are sworn in as their predecessors move to an executive position or become DLI Senators, an exclusive title for previous members of the Board. This year DLI welcomes a host of new faces to its governing body.
We asked the current group of DLI Directors a few questions to help members get a better sense of who they are and what they are striving to achieve. DLI’s Executive Committee’s responses to these same questions appeared in the Q4 2021 issue and can be read online here.
Kathy Benzinger is DLI’s District One Committee member and also serves on DLI’s Executive Committee as Treasurer. Please see her responses in our previous issue.
Why did you volunteer to serve on DLI’s Board of Directors?
In February 2016, I had a conversation with Mary Scalco about what I perceived were DLI’s shortcomings. That discussion made me want to be part of the solution, so I volunteered to be District 2 District Committee Member, followed by election as Director.
How has DLI membership impacted your business?
Since Signature Cleaners joined in 2009, we have used our membership as proof of our professionalism and expertise. Our customers know we are the most knowledgeable cleaner in our area and that has helped the company steadily grow.
What complications or supportive developments do you foresee for 2022?
Given the ever-changing business environment, cleaners must be constantly aware of their customers’ evolving needs. The landscape we were used to dealing with will be in flux going forward. If we don’t adjust accordingly, we risk losing the confidence of our clientele.
What is your favorite part of being in this business?
Making our customers look good in a prompt and professional manner is very rewarding. Their appreciation for our efforts gives us the incentive to go to work every day and do our best for them.
What might most people in the industry not know about you?
I graduated Penn State University with a degree in Political Science, followed by a year of law school. My intention was to enter politics and gain elective office. I worked in the family business during a semester break and never left. That was 48 years ago.
Why did you volunteer to serve on DLI’s Board of Directors?
Because I didn’t know anything about this industry when I purchased my business in 2002, I decided the prudent thing to do was to get involved.
How has DLI membership impacted your business?
DLI has allowed me to network with others and to lean on the association itself to help me navigate the ups and downs. DLI has helped me try to smooth out the bumpy road I’ve traveled with its vast database of information and contacts.
What complications or supportive developments do you foresee for 2022?
Certainly everyone is concerned about potential shut-downs or additional mandates being put in place that may restrict how we do business. I think being connected to DLI is going to be more important than ever in 2022. Not using your membership could be very detrimental to your future in this industry.
What is your favorite part of being in this business?
The challenge. We all know it is not a glamorous business to be in but there are all kinds of challenges, whether it is software, equipment, employees, etc. that get my juices flowing. I ultimately want someone to approach me and ask to buy me out – because I’ve put in motion a business that has succeeded and could be even better.
What might most people in the industry not know about you?
I grew up playing ice hockey in Chicago and still play to this day. A lot of transplants from northern states and even Canada play in our league. Some body contact occurs and a bottle of Advil comes in quite handy to keep going. It’s not uncommon to play a game at 10:55 pm and it is extremely hard to wake up the next morning.
Why did you volunteer to serve on DLI’s Board of Directors?
When asked to serve I felt it was time to give back. I was curious to see what makes this industry’s advocates work so well.
How has DLI membership impacted your business?
Being in this industry my whole life I know a lot of my awareness was obtained through IFI (later called DLI). The literature provided a look at other plants’ philosophies and business practices and the TABS bulletins helped me develop a talking knowledge of garment care. I took a Fibers & Fabrics course and mailed in my results. Somehow it feels like we’ve come full circle.
We have been members long before I was active (which was 1978)
We are a better business because of the information DLI provides.
What complications or supportive developments do you foresee for 2022?
I think we’ll see ebb and flow type of return to business for quite a while. The support and connections DLI has facilitated, though zoom meetings has generated a lot of opportunity on how to expand service and motivate us to strive to be leaders in the industry.
The peer to peer zoom meetings have generated lots of good discussion and ideas. As we get busier this knowledge might not be readily shared. So, amongst all these hurdles there is potential and opportunity. Grab it while you can.
What is your favorite part of being in this business?
Operating a small business comes with the challenge and excitement of putting pieces of the puzzle together. This pandemic and the aftermath make it feel like the pieces got smaller and, at times, we’re playing blindfolded. This challenge coupled with human interaction keeps my drive alive.
What might most people in the industry not know about you?
I study classical guitar and am intrigued by the challenges it presents both physically and mentally. When played right it creates warmth, beauty and emotion.
Why did you volunteer to serve on DLI’s Board of Directors?
I have been a member for 30+ years and when requested to consider the position, I accepted. I currently am a director in several other organizations and chairman of one of them, and have had some experience with board work.
How has DLI membership impacted your business?
During our 30+ years as DLI members I witnessed many changes. There is no question the services, authorizations, certifications, training, and knowledge have enabled Iris City Cleaners to be what it is today. We have been very proud to be an Award of Excellence Cleaner, and hold all of the certifications offered by DLI. All have promoted us as a recognized authority in garment and textile care.
What complications or supportive developments do you foresee for 2022? Regarding DLI, with the onset of strategic thinking and subsequent planning, I believe the organization will move away from our budget being our plan to a widened, data driven focus on our future. I foresee us developing supportive arms and training for services related to garment care and partnering with other organizations for the delivery and training of the same.
Diversification remains a key avenue we must consider as small operators. For example, our recent addition is hat work or Hatter, meaning we do everything hats: repair, rebrand, clean, etc. I have been practicing shoe repair for 30 years and enjoy it. Iris City Cleaners does fire, smoke, and water restoration, odor management, carpet cleaning, pillow renovation, custom leather work and repair. I maintain two websites: One just for wedding gowns and one for traditional work and its diversifications.
What is your favorite part of being in this business?
Seeing a pleased and satisfied customer leave our shop.
I like the challenges each day brings including working with difficult garments, leather repair, hat cleaning and repair, and western boot repair/ refurbishing. We are an early riser at 4:30 am almost each day and begin our work at that time.
What might most people in the industry not know about you?
About 15 years ago I retired from special education administration having spent 39 years in education. I am a board member of several national organizations and have served hospital foundation boards, helped write strategic plans for several organizations. I like sports cars and have two. I enjoy wine and delight in food preparation.
Why did you volunteer to serve on DLI’s Board of Directors?
Volunteering to serve on DLI’s Board of Directors was a no brainer. The retail drycleaning business has provided my family with a great life for the last 3 generations. Serving on the BOD is my way of giving back to the industry that has provided the Nesbit family with so much!
How has DLI membership impacted your business?
DLI membership has been invaluable to our company over the last 40+ years. It has provided us with so many different tools used to run our business. We’ve gained knowledge through education, from other members, and the various tools that DLI provides it’s members. During the pandemic DLI helped us with quick decision making that assisted in our survival.
What complications or supportive developments do you foresee for 2022?
Although none of us have a crystal ball I believe the major complications for the retail dry cleaning going forward will be:
- Labor shortages – The industry, as a whole, needs to be looking for automation around every corner & in every crevice of the business
- Increased occupancy costs leading to less real estate and more home pickup & delivery
- Piece count reduction calling for survivors to do their best to capture a bigger piece of a shrinking market
What is your favorite part of being in this business?
My favorite part of the dry cleaning business is striving daily to be better today than yesterday, with hopes to become even better tomorrow. This philosophy starts with trying to become more like Jesus personally, as a husband, as a father, as a son, as a manager, as an employee, and as a guest service representative for Tide Cleaners.
Please share something about you most people in the industry might not know.
I’m an active member of Second Baptist Church pastored by Dr. Ed Young. I have an awesome family & support system led by my beautiful wife Tiphany. Blessed to be the father of the smartest & prettiest daughter in the world, Kassidy Nicole 😊 I’m a proud ‘Fighting Texas A&M Aggie’. I’m a huge sports fan that is highly engaged with the ‘big three’ – football, baseball, & basketball (high school, college, & professional). I’m the loudest and most intense 7-year-old girls club soccer dad in the country! I’m a fierce competitor at anything/everything (could be Tiddlywinks) and I HATE to lose.
Why did you volunteer to serve on DLI’s Board of Directors?
I like to learn new ideas and engaging with experts.
How has DLI membership impacted your business?
We’ve used DLI services for training and regard them as the experts. We enjoy our relationship with the staff. Also love learning from fabricare magazine.
What complications or supportive developments do you foresee for 2022?
Conventional business.
What is your favorite part of being in this business?
Customer relations and enjoy working with my family employees and family.
What might most people in the industry not know about you?
I love spending time with my nephew Malcolm!
Why did you volunteer to serve on DLI’s Board of Directors?
I’m a 3rd generation drycleaning business operator and also work as Vice President of Product for Spot Business Systems. This combination as a regular DLI drycleaning member and an Allied Trades member gives me a unique perspective that I can contribute to DLI’s board and the industry.
How has DLI membership impacted your business?
DLI membership has contributed to the professionalism of our business and as an educational resource for much of our staff. We’ve sent a number of folks to DLI’s School of Drycleaning Technology for training and education over the years, going back to the early days of our business to today. We still use some of the older materials from the Institute. One example is a book of fabrics from DLI’s predecessor, [National Institute of Drycleaning or NID], which includes a host of fabric samples and care suggestions and background on them. Over the years, we’ve always been members and benefited from educational materials and resources like that.
What complications or supportive developments do you foresee for 2022?
I expect to see a continued shift in the industry, primarily driven by the fact that drycleaning service usage will remain at historically low levels. I think it’s going to require people to look for other opportunities to expand their businesses. This could be new opening market segments or potentially acquisitions and consolidation. I think there will be an opportunity for the industry to continue to develop its professional image and that will serve it well in the long term. To develop the industry we need to become more professional and to be more professional we need to focus on sophistication. This could be improving how we interact with customers and how we use technology to give our customers confidence that they are interacting with a trusted partner.
What is your favorite part of being in this business?
I’m a learner. I love to learn. I enjoy the fact that our industry is not monotonous. Everyday we wear many different hats. In one day you’re a chemist, you’re an accountant, you’re a human resources manager or something else. You do all these different things all the time and that is what I enjoy the most about being in my position in our industry.
Why did you volunteer to serve on DLI’s Board of Directors?
One of our company’s core values is to make the laundry & drycleaning industry attractive to all. One of the ways we can do this is to be involved and support DLI.
How has DLI membership impacted your business?
We have been a proud member and supporter of DLI for nearly 30 years. Because of the many valuable programs DLI offers, we have a better understanding of what it takes to be successful. DLI has also provided us with opportunities to meet some of the finest leaders in our Industry.
What complications or supportive developments do you foresee for 2022?
Going through a pandemic has brought a whole new set of challenges for our Industry. However, we are extremely positive for our future because we believe good times are right around the corner. We’re experiencing improved sales but, more importantly, are seeing increased collaborative efforts to learn and share ideas with others.
What is your favorite part of being in this business?
That’s easy: it’s all about the powerful relationships with the wonderful and talented people of our Industry. The Industry has been so good to me personally and to our company. It’s been an honor to serve and be a part of the DLI Board. I’m so excited for what’s NEXT.
What might most people in the industry not know about you?
I know this sounds cliché but I’ve been so lucky to work for a wonderful company. Our associates are Family to me. I enjoy cooking. My repertoire is fairly limited but I’m lucky my wife is willing to try new things.
District Committee Members
In addition to its Board of Directors, DLI leadership includes a group of District Committee Members (DCMs). These volunteers help guide Board policy by providing additional perspectives in each DLI district. DCMs learn the ins and outs of DLI’s Board’s meeting style and often choose to become candidates in their district’s election when the present Director’s term elapses.
District 1 DCM: Larry Fish, Kingston Cleaners, Wakefiled, Rhode Island
District 3 DCM: Rhonda Eysel, Master Kleen Dry Cleaners, Columbus, Georgia
District 4 DCM: John Mertes, Ziker Cleaners, Inc., Mishawaka, Indiana
District 5 DCM: DLI is accepting volunteer applications
District 6 DCM: Richard Thum, Five Star Cleaners, San Antonio, Texas
District 7 DCM: Joe Blaha, GreenEarth Cleaner
District 8 DCM: Sassan Rahimzadeh, Arya Cleaners, Chula Vista, California
Allied Trades DCM: Dru Carlisle, Enviroforensics, Indianapolis, Indiana
RESPECTFULLY YOURS
DLI’s Board of Directors determine what the Institute stands for and the actions it takes. They are all DLI members who volunteered to share the most precious gift with the industry that supports us all: their time.
