Jeff Eisenbeisz Invests in the Industry

Jeff Eisenbeisz found his calling while out trick-or-treating for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) as a kid. Going door-to-door and soliciting donations allowed him to connect with people, a strategy he uses as a Territory Sales Representative for Cole Paper & Maintenance Supplies, headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, today.

“Jeff Eisenbeisz has provided our schools with constant service, supplies, and equipment to keep our district running and clean,” says Derek Meyers, Buildings and Grounds Director of Stanley County School District 57-1, Fort Pierre, South Dakota. “We have had many reps over many different industries, but Jeff is the only one I have that checks in on the regular and stops in. The fact that he makes trips to our area speaks volumes, given our state is so spread out and rural.”

With nearly four decades of industry experience, Eisenbeisz has dedicated his career—and car mileage—to serving customers near and far.

“I am going on 38 years in the industry with 1.33 million miles of driving, but I’m not going anywhere,” Eisenbeisz shares. “My customers ask me, ‘How long are you going to work?’ and I tell them I am here to stay for a while yet, and I will continue to take care of them. That, to me, is so rewarding.”

Eisenbeisz believes that success in sales relies on partnerships, or as he calls it, a “working friendship.” Reliability and transparency are core components of his character and the values he exemplifies in his daily practice. When mentoring new sales representatives, he imparts that honesty is the only policy.

“Be positive and tell the truth all the time,” Eisenbeisz says. “If you’re not sure, tell them you will find out and get back to them. And then, make sure you do just that.”

Not only has he assisted sales reps in his own company, but he has also guided other professionals across the jan/san industry.

“I can say for a fact, Jeff has given more years to jan/san and facilities maintenance than I could ever hope to in my lifetime,” Meyers notes. “I came into this role during the COVID-19 pandemic and with no experience in the field. Jeff helped me get the lay of the land, figure out our supplies, and helped with the logistics of getting our aged and broken cleaning machines fixed up or replaced."

The commercial cleaning industry is constantly evolving, most notably with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies transforming the sales landscape. Although Eisenbeisz describes himself as “old school,” he embraces learning and strategically adapts to new innovations.

“He is very versed in the new technologies, products, and supplies we need in the ever-changing world we find ourselves in,” Meyers adds.

While honored with this achievement of being named a 2026 Sanitary Maintenance Sales Leader, Eisenbeisz does not recognize it as a singular accomplishment. To him, it takes every person in the company to support the customer.

“It’s like a Super Bowl football team,” Eisenbeisz says. “We have the owners, the buyers, warehouse workers, branch managers, assistant managers, office personnel, delivery drivers, specialty packaging people, IT, service shop, equipment demo people, a guy that monitors all of our trucks and keeps them on the road, and then there’s me—the quarterback. It truly takes the whole team.”

While he attributes his current role at Cole Paper to Mel Grams, his first mentors were his parents. They instilled in him the self-discipline to deliver high-performance work and realize his goals. And while he is appreciative of his career, his primary role in life is to be a dedicated husband and father.

“My wife of 45 years is my biggest hero. She has taken care of the home front while I’ve been on the road—raising our daughter, taking care of everything that needs to be done, and even making the occasional deliveries for me to customers. She has always supported me and truly is my hero.”

With so many years invested in the industry, one could find the workday stale from day to day. However, Eisenbeisz clarifies that each sales call is memorable to him.

“You learn something all the time,” he says. “I love it when you solve a customer’s problem and you both leave feeling great. I thrive on my customers—if you take care of them, they will take care of you.” 

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

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