HYATTSVILLE, Md. — September 16, 2024 — The Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) proudly hosted the 59th annual commencement of its Executive Management Institute (EMI) on August 15. The event, held at a conference center near the University of Maryland, celebrated the achievements of 26 graduates from this four-year educational program. Nearly 170 students from all four classes, along with faculty, staff, and guests, attended the ceremony.
The Year IV graduates represented a diverse group of executives from national, regional, and independent commercial laundries across North America, as well as several supplier-partner company representatives. TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci presented the graduation certificates, followed by reflections from Brian Kimmel of Kimmel Corp., Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Kimmel praised his fellow graduates as “great ambassadors from this industry” and expressed his gratitude for being part of the program.
Kimmel also acknowledged the contributions of Year IV faculty members Dan Gonder and Eric Kurjan. He highlighted Kurjan’s emphasis on the importance of developing skills for individual and company success, quoting Kurjan’s advice on finding the right team players who are “hungry, humble, and smart.”
The camaraderie and openness among the students were evident throughout the program. Kimmel noted, “The trust that we have with each other, it’s real. We have some lifelong friends, and it took four years to build.”
The commencement program featured fewer speeches and skits compared to previous years, with the Year IV group standing out with a parody of “Family Feud.” Kimmel and fellow graduate Emily Hauber of CITY Clean and Simple, Oelwein, Iowa, entertained the audience with their humorous take on the EMI experience.
Jim Underwood, Year III instructor, paid tribute to the late Les Frankfurt, a Holocaust survivor and psychology professor who co-founded EMI Year III. Underwood emphasized Frankfurt’s lasting impact on the program and the importance of caring in leadership, a sentiment echoed by Kimmel in his closing remarks.
TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci concluded the ceremony by recognizing the dedication of the EMI faculty, who volunteer their time and expertise to support the program. Ricci emphasized the long-term growth and development that EMI fosters, stating, “You are the future of this industry. Your employers invest in you because they believe in your potential.”
Posted: September 16, 2024
Source: The Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA)
