TRSA Celebrates 59th Annual Executive Management Institute

HYATTSVILLE, MD – September 16, 2024 – The Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) proudly hosted the 59th annual commencement of the 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 of this prestigious four-year educational program. Nearly 170 students from all four classes, as well as faculty, staff and guests, attended the ceremony.

The fourth-year graduates represented a diverse group of executives from national, regional and independent commercial laundries in North America, as well as several representatives from supplier and partner companies. TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci presented certificates of completion, after which Brian Kimmel of Kimmel Corp., Upper Sandusky, OH, shared his thoughts. Kimmel praised his fellow graduates as “great ambassadors for this industry” and expressed gratitude for their participation in the program.

Kimmel also acknowledged the contributions of Year IV faculty members Dan Gonder and Eric Kurjan. He emphasized Kurjan’s emphasis on the importance of developing skills for individual and corporate success, citing Kurjan’s advice to find the right team players who are “hungry, humble, and intelligent.”

The sociability and openness among the students was evident throughout the program. Kimmel noted, “The trust we have in each other is real. We have friends for life, and it took four years to build that.”

The graduation program featured fewer speeches and sketches than in previous years, with the fourth-graders notable for their parody of “Family Feud.” Kimmel and classmate Emily Hauber of CITY Clean and Simple, Oelwein, IA, entertained the audience with their humorous take on the EMI experience.

Jim Underwood, a third-year teacher, paid tribute to the late Les Frankfurt, a Holocaust survivor and psychology professor who helped found EMI Third Year. Underwood emphasized Frankfurt’s lasting influence on the program and the importance of caring leadership, a point echoed by Kimmel in his closing remarks.

TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci closed the ceremony by recognizing the dedication of EMI’s staff who volunteer their time and expertise to support the program. Ricci emphasized the long-term growth and development that EMI supports, stating, “You are the future of this industry. Your employers are investing in you because they believe in your potential.”

Published: September 16, 2024

Source: Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA)