BSCAI Building Service Employee of the Year Award: Sallie Booth, the Jan/San Jewel

Dedicated employees are members of the staff who strive to achieve consistent and effective outcomes in and outside of their facilities. Each year, BSCAI recognizes an individual who exemplifies a positive work culture through their professional productivity and their personal, positive contributions. The recipient of this year’s BSCAI Building Service Employee of the Year Award, nominated by MSNW Group, LLC., is Sallie Booth. 

“I think this is a great honor to receive this award,” Booth shares. “I am proud of the fact that I can do such great work for my residents and company.” 

As a janitor who dutifully provides quality cleaning services at a veteran home facility in Lewiston, Idaho, Booth is commended as a custodian who is communicative, committed, and caring. Throughout her employment, she has left her mark on her team and the occupants at the site where she is stationed. 

“She takes genuine pride in the appearance and upkeep of the facility, frequently going beyond her regular duties to ensure the environment remains clean, safe, and welcoming,” says Terrell Weg, CEO and President of MSNW, headquartered in Ferndale, Washington. “We nominated Sallie Booth for this award because she exemplifies dedication, responsibility, and pride in her work.” 

In addition to exceeding expectations, she shares her extensive operational knowledge with the rest of the housekeeping team. As reaffirmed by Tracy Wagemann, Site Supervisor at the veteran home where Booth works, “She has a vast knowledge when it comes to cleaning healthcare environments and is my go-to housekeeper for isolation rooms when there is any type of outbreak in the facility.” 

This attribute was best exemplified during the pandemic. Throughout this global crisis, facilities relied upon janitorial staff to promote and protect the health and safety of their occupants. Booth, an integral personnel member, rose to the occasion and devoted her time and expertise to safeguard the veteran’s home employees and residents. 

“On several occasions during severe flu and COVID outbreaks, we have had multiple isolation rooms in use at once,” Wagemann describes. “During these periods, Sallie completed all of them without hesitation, even working 10 to 14 consecutive days to ensure a clean, safe environment and help minimize the spread of the illness.” 

Aside from leading the charge in infection prevention and control, Booth also acts as a leader for her team. When Wagemann steps out, it is Booth who is nominated to fill in.  

“Sallie regularly steps up to cover supervisory duties in her supervisor's absence, ensuring daily operations run smoothly and that the team remains organized, productive, and focused,” Weg says. “By taking initiative, maintaining high stands, and leading with integrity, Sallie motivates those around her to perform at their best and take pride in their work.” 

When asked what inspires her to go above and beyond in her professional and personal life, Booth expresses that if she can’t take her family into a space she has cleaned, then she has not done a satisfactory job.  

“I’m not happy with my job or my personal life unless I give it 110 percent,” she adds. 

As much as she is inspired by her family and team, Booth is an inspiration to them. Her coworkers look up to her perpetual positivity that animates others throughout their workday. Multiple team members shared testimonials during the award submission process that speak of her remarkable character and the joy she brings to the workplace. 

Work aside, Booth has a varied range of interests that captures the charm she conveys. In her spare time, she attends Society of Creative Acronyms (SAC) events, practices Japanese archery, and researches tarantulas to add to her collection. This multifaceted personality plays into her job performance, as people are drawn to her person. 

Above all, Booth represents the best of the jan/san industry. Her company, supervisor, and associates all characterize her as a pillar, personally and professionally. And for Booth, she is gratified by the award but is happy with where she is at. Her future goals are to continue being present in the life she leads and continue developing her skills in this industry. 

“There is always more to learn,” she says. “I hope I can just stay on the path of life that I am on and keep being able to work with my residents and coworkers.”

Taylor Vraney is an Assistant Editor for CleanLink.com, Facility Cleaning Decisions, Contracting Profits, and Sanitary Maintenance.