Success Stories that Stem from BSCAI Membership

Successful building service contractors share what it was about BSCAI that helped them become successful, both personally and professionally, and what the association means to them. 

Q: How did BSCAI help make you successful? 

The people who were in the cleaning business 50 years ago built a high-quality and new industry that is in new hands today and still growing.  
— Dan Bishop, The Maids International, 1976-’77 President 

Serving on the board and participating in various committees gave me experiences I could never have gained within my own company alone. It broadened my understanding of the industry, exposed me to different leadership styles, and challenged me to think more strategically. 
— Lillian Lincoln Lambert, LilCo Enterprises, 1995 President 

BSCAI is where I started dreaming of making the janitorial industry a career. By attending conventions, participating in committees, and mentoring new members, I continued to grow and develop. I was able to excel to the point where my wife, Valarie, and I were able to start our own contract cleaning business. 
— LeRoy Dock, Bolana Enterprises, Inc., 2004 President 

As a lifetime learner, the ability to hear the greatest business speakers out there in a relatively small forum and the ability to interact with leaders of suppliers, peers, and competitors has become invaluable. Joining a peer group was a big part of success and offered our company an inside view into other successful entities. 
— Jim Harris, Jr., Janitronics, Inc., 2018 President 

I listened, took good notes, and asked a lot of questions. This is a very giving and generous association. Every BSCAI event I attended paid for itself with nuggets I gathered to help make my company better. 
— Todd Hopkins, Office Pride, 2020 President 

BSCAI has been instrumental in building my professional network and providing resources I could apply directly to business strategy and operations. From certifications to educational programs and purchasing tools, BSCAI has delivered tangible benefits that have supported the success of Harvard Services Group. 
— Nathalie Doobin, Harvard Services Group, Inc., 2022 President  

The association provided me with mentors, education, certification, supplier connections, and best practices. But most importantly, BSCAI opened my eyes and mind to the great opportunities in the industry.  
— John S. Ezzo, Global Facility Advisors, 2007 President 

I was deathly afraid of public speaking during my early years but am much more comfortable now. I learned so much from other executives that I use in my career each and every day. I am thankful to all the people who counseled me and helped guide me through some challenging times in business. 
— Sally A. Schopmeyer, Maintenance, Inc., 2011 President 

The education we received taught us everything about the industry and allowed us to benefit from the most efficient methods, chemicals, and equipment. We became more competitive. Our competition also became our partners in many situations, allowing us to expand our business. 
— Taylor Bruce, IH Services, Inc., 2012 President 

BSCAI played a foundational role in both my personal and professional success. Education helped me become a better leader.I gained insights into efficiency, strategy, and people development that I would have never found alone. The guidance from networking helped me see around corners in my business. 
— Janelle Bruland, Management Services Northwest LLC, 2016 President 

It provided me with education and professionalism, amazing relationships, and an amazing peer group that lasted more than 10 years. I also met Stan Doobin of Harvard Maintenance who would eventually purchase our company in 2024. The integration between our companies has been a great success and we have very similar cultures. 
— Ernest Clark, Jr., Mister Kleen Maintenance Co., 2008 President 

Q: How has your involvement in the association impacted your career? 

Being on the membership committee allowed me to meet up-and-coming contractors, who taught me as much as I taught them. Meanwhile, the insurance committee taught me to be a better buyer of services. And then attending the Smithbucklin leadership institute was like getting a mini-MBA.  
— Paul Greenland, Ikigai Management Consultants LLC, and 2015 BSCAI President 

My involvement has helped create some of the best friendships a person could ask for, which is odd given we are often competitors. This has impacted my career in that it has kept me coming back to BSCAI events where I meet new members and learn more about our industry with each new friendship I make. 
— Tom Kruse, Marsden Holding, LLC, 2017 President 

Serving on committees and the board enabled me the opportunity to share my experiences with other members but also learn from them. The amazing thing about the association is that you are able to keep company with individuals with similar size companies, while profiting from those with larger companies and mentoring those with smaller companies. 
— LeRoy Dock, Bolana Enterprises, Inc., 2004 President 

The connections I made shaped my career, but serving was a great way to give back to an industry that gave me so much. Committee work was very rewarding, especially the BSCAI/BOMA committee where we collaborated in several efforts to include contractor qualification, garnering access to critical infrastructure post 9/11, and having an impact on the BOMA annual conventions. 
— John S. Ezzo, Global Facility Advisors, 2007 President 

I have made lasting connections that were developed over the years. Meeting second or third generation leaders of all ages and listening and learning from them has been a blast. Being involved in the way that I have has also strengthened my professional credibility.  
— Philippe Mack, Bee-Clean Building Maintenance, 2024 President 

Serving on committees gave me confidence in my ability to contribute ideas and to learn from others. While serving on the board, I learned basic rules of order and also shared ideas and opinions with others. 
— Don Pottieger, Sr., Southland Landscape Corp., 2006 President 

Q: What does BSCAI mean to you? 

I think that BSCAI has been the experience of a lifetime. My business grew and prospered significantly. I made lifetime friends. I traveled and experienced other cultures, and I had fun.  
— Gary A. Penrod, Gary Penrod and Associates, Inc., 1986-’87 President 

BSCAI is a group of dedicated and determined individuals who are willing to go above and beyond for the betterment of our industry and our environment. It is where the “truly committed” BSC’s gather to learn how to improve themselves and their respective companies. I believe it is this type of commitment which distinguishes the successful folks and their companies from the rest. 
— Ernest Clark, Jr., Mister Kleen Maintenance Co., 2008 President 

The association means so much to me because it has literally changed my life. The means of making an impact on millions of people offered by BSCAI is unmatched. I know so many wonderful people who make better decisions, live better lives, and make bigger impacts in the world thanks to BSCAI. 
— John S. Ezzo, Global Facility Advisors, 2007 President 

BSCAI is a community of individuals who are passionate about excellence, hungry to grow, and eager to help others do the same. BSCAI represents the best of what this industry has to offer: a commitment to leadership, to learning, and to lifting each other up. 
— Janelle Bruland, Management Services Northwest LLC, 2016 President 

Members of BSCAI are always so willing to share what made them successful and, more importantly, they are willing to share their biggest mistakes and failures. Since I joined in 1988, I have grown Harvard from less than $3 million in revenue to over $700 million today. I could have never done it if I wasn’t a member of BSCAI. 
— Stan Doobin, Harvard Maintenance, Inc., 2009 President 

BSCAI allowed me to be a better leader of our company, it provided the opportunity for great travel all over the world, and most importantly established great relationships that have lasted well beyond my work career. 
— Taylor Bruce, IH Services, Inc., 2012 President 

Without BSCAI, I would not be where I am today. 
— LeRoy Dock, Bolana Enterprises, Inc., 2004 President 

This association is the only true, dedicated place for the building service contractor. You come to get information and help, hopefully giving back through service. Then you leave as a better leader with a much more capable company and lifelong friends. 
— Eric Luke, MG Capital Maintenance, 2021 President 

To me, BSCAI represents opportunity, community, and growth. It’s a place where people come together to share knowledge, to lift each other up, and to push the industry forward. It’s a catalyst for learning, a bridge to lifelong relationships, and a reminder that we are stronger when we work together. It gave me the tools, the support, and the inspiration to build something lasting, and I’ll always be grateful for that. 
— Lillian Lincoln Lambert, LilCo Enterprises, 1995 President 

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BSCAI Presidents Share Memorable Moments