CLA Announces Board Changes

By Bob Nieman | Jul 13, 2011

The Coin Laundry Association Board of Directors recently welcomed four new directors and one continuing director, who will begin new terms on January 1, 2012. The newly elected officers are Bill Bittner, Howard Herman, Wayne Lewis and Tom Rhodes, while the returning director is Bryan Maxwell.

“We are grateful for the members who contribute their time and talent to help guide the association,” said CLA President and CEO Brian Wallace. “Store owners, distributors and manufacturers who serve on the Board provide an all-encompassing industry perspective. It’s what drives us to new levels.”

Bill Bittner, of equipment manufacturer Alliance Laundry Systems, currently serves as the national sales manager for Speed Queen Commercial Laundry Equipment. Before being promoted to that position, he served as the general manager of Service Parts, which gave him the opportunity to deal directly with commercial laundry distributors and exposed him to the self-service laundry market.

Over the last three years, Bittner has participated in two Clean Shows and been a well-respected speaker at two CLA educational seminars. His knowledge of the industry has helped him establish strong relationships with many active CLA members.

Howard Herman, of equipment manufacturer Laundrylux, has been involved in the industry for nearly 40 years. In 2007, he was promoted to president of the company.

Herman previously served as vice president of sales and marketing for the company, where he played a principal role in managing the relationships with dealers throughout North America, as well as overseeing the company’s sales, marketing and business development efforts.

Wayne Lewis, of equipment manufacturer ESD Inc., currently serves as the company’s director of sales, overseeing the administration of all sales, including international business.

Lewis previously worked as a technician for American Dryer Corp. Serving as the company’s assistant service manager, he led the training program for international and domestic distributors.

Store owner Tom Rhodes of Sunshine Laundries has been an active operator for 15 years, with eight laundries in Florida. Rhodes also served as secretary of the Florida Coin Laundry Association from 2002-2003, and was president of the organization from 2005-2008.

Rhodes also has been in heavily involved with Toastmasters International, a world leader in communication and leadership development, and his local Parent Teacher Fellowship group.

Returning Director Bryan Maxwell, of California-based distributor Western State Design, serves on Board’s crucial Nominating, Green and Utility Committees. He also has distinguished himself as an active volunteer with the Golden State Coin Laundry Association, serving on the GSCLA Board for more than seven years.

Maxwell has nearly 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the laundry industry. Additionally, he and his company have received numerous awards from Dexter Laundry, including being the manufacturer’s largest worldwide distributor in 2007 and 2008.

In all, the CLA Board of Directors for 2012 is comprised of nine store-owner members, three distributors and six manufacturers.

“Members serve in a variety of roles that complement the mission of the CLA,” Wallace explained. “As an organization, the CLA would not be where it is today without the dedication of the volunteers who serve on its Board.”