DLI’s Board of Directors posed for a group photo at the entrance to The Institute’s offices and School of Drycleaning Technology, April 1, 2022, 50 years to the day after the formation of IFI when AIL and NID merged in 1972.
FRONT ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): Ray Kroner, Rhonda Eysel, Kathy Benzinger (Treasurer), Jeff Schwegmann II, CGCP® (President-Elect), Bobby Patel (President), Kyle Nesbit (Treasurer-Elect), Hilary Taylor, Don Holececk, Ed Longanecker.
BACK ROW (L-R): Toran Brown, Norman Way, Allan Cripe, Mark Pollack CPD®, Tom Ustanik, John Mertes, Sassan Rahimzadeh. NOT PICTURED: Joe Blaha, Dru Carlisle, Jess Culpepper (Chair), Larry Fish.
DLI’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS MET IN-PERSON AT DLI’S SCHOOL OF DRYCLEANING TECHNOLOGY IN LAUREL, MARYLAND, APRIL 1, 2022, 50 YEARS TO THE DAY OF THE INSTITUTE’S FOUNDING ON APRIL 1, 1972, WHEN TWO INDUSTRY GIANTS MERGED. The National Institute of Drycleaning (NID, founded 1907) and the American Institute of Launderers (AIL, founded 1883) merged to form the International Fabricare Institute (IFI) on April 1, 1972. IFI rebranded to DLI in 2007 marking NID’s 100th anniversary.
During their visit and meeting DLI’s Board of Directors enjoyed a tour of The Institute’s laboratories, offices, and School of Drycleaning Technology. DLI staff converted the School’s classroom into a Boardroom to accommodate the 17 Board Members who attended in-person. DLI’s Board Members are elected by DLI’s membership to represent the District in which they operate a drycleaning business. Board Members elect the Board’s Executive Committee (Treasurer, President-Elect, President, and Chair).
At DLI, the ultimate boss is you, the member. DLI’s Board of Directors’ task is to determine what DLI’s membership wants and direct DLI’s CEO to deliver it. “We had a very productive meeting,” said Mary Scalco, DLI’s CEO and Secretary of the Board. “We’re looking forward to continuing to offer great benefits and services to DLI members for many years to come. We are also very excited to see everyone at the Clean Show in Atlanta.”
