CINCINNATI – Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) today announced the top 10 finalists in its 11th annual Cintas Custodian of the Year contest. This year’s finalists across the U.S. have shown tremendous dedication and commitment to their schools. From now through April 12, the public can vote for their favorite custodian at custodianoftheyear.com.
“Every year we receive thousands of heartfelt nominations and inspirational stories,” said John Rudy, Senior Marketing Director of Cintas. “It’s not an easy decision to make, but this year’s Top 10 finalists are exceptionally deserving of recognition for the hard work they contribute to their schools as well as their communities.”
The greatest number of public votes determines the winner of the Cintas Custodian of the Year contest. Cintas will award $10,000 to the winning custodian and $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial products and services to the winner’s school. The winning school will also receive a complete facility assessment valued at $20,000, in partnership with the Cleaning Industry Management Standard, advanced by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council certification from The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, ISSA. Cintas will also award the winning school a pizza party for all staff and students. The other nine finalists will receive $1,000 each and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute virtual training event, valued at $1,500. The finalists’ schools will also receive a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid Commercial Products. Again, this year, the top three finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to the ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas in November where they’ll be celebrated for their accomplishments.
“It’s important to recognize all that custodians do to create a safe and welcoming learning environment,” said John Barrett, Executive Director of ISSA. “This year we have an outstanding line-up of finalists who go above and beyond to be a positive role model to students and their schools.”
The top 10 finalists in the 2024 Cintas Custodian of the Year contest include (in alphabetical order):
1. Davida Boyd – Helena Park Elementary School (Nederland, Texas)
2. Bob Galewski – Wabasha-Kellogg High School (Wabasha, Minn.)
3. Salvatore “Mr. Sal” Gano – Evergreen Elementary School (Scotch Plains, N.J.)
4. Steve Gasak – Dessie F. Evans Elementary (Puyallup, Wash.)
5. William “Mr. Billy” Krajewski – Quaker Hill Elementary School (Waterford, Conn.)
6. Rudy “Coach Rudy” Ontiveros – Vineyard Junior High School (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.)
7. Joemar Quiros – Frederick Harris Elementary School (Springfield, Mass.)
8. David Smith – Loveland Intermediate School (Loveland, Ohio)
9. Drusilla Stinson – Auburn University (Auburn, Ala.)
10. Hilda “Ms. Hilda” Valentin – Milwaukee Math and Science Academy (Milwaukee)
“We’re honored to take part in celebrating the hard work of these custodians, and we wish them all the best in the contest,” said Robert Posthauer, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
For more information about the Custodian of the Year contest, contact Brianna Fitzpatrick at [email protected]. A Custodian of the Year logo, as well as photos of the top 10 finalists are available via Dropbox here.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. The company is also the creator of the Total Clean Program™ — a first-of-its-kind service that includes scheduled delivery of essential cleaning supplies, hygienically clean laundering, and sanitizing and disinfecting products and services. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About ISSA:
With more than 10,500 members – including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members – ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Toronto, Canada; Sydney, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products
Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), headquartered in Huntersville, NC, is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of washroom and safety, cleaning, waste handling, material transport, and food services. RCP is part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit www.rubbermaidcommercial.com to learn more.
CINCINNATI – Jan. 16, 2024 – School custodians play a vital role in creating a successful learning environment – inside and outside the classroom. However, their extensive schedules and strenuous duties often go unnoticed. Today, Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) launches its 11th annual Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, which honors exceptional school custodians. Submit nominations at custodianoftheyear.com through February 9.
“Custodians are the force behind a clean, safe and welcoming space for students to learn and succeed,” said Christiny Betsch, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “For the last 10 years, we’ve had the honor of celebrating one-of-a-kind custodians with remarkable stories. We’re ecstatic to honor custodians once again in our 11th year of this contest.”
Cintas will award $10,000 to the winning custodian and $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services to the winner’s school. On top of that, the winner’s school will receive a complete facility assessment and Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Advanced by GBAC certification from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $20,000. The other nine finalists will receive $1,000 each from Cintas, a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) virtual training event, valued at $1,500. The Top 3 finalists will also receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to the ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas in November where they’ll be celebrated for their accomplishments.
“It’s important to show appreciation to school custodians for the important work they do in establishing healthy learning environments,” said John Barrett, Executive Director, ISSA. “ISSA is proud to take part in this contest and looks forward to celebrating outstanding custodians across the U.S.”
Last year, Cintas Corporation awarded Richard “Mr. Rich” Toomey of Kelly Mill Elementary in Cumming, Ga. as the 2023 Cintas Custodian of the Year. To celebrate Mr. Rich, students, family and staff honored him with a surprise ceremony, complete with a confetti cannon line and balloon arch as well as endless cheering and high-fives.
The Cintas Custodian of the Year contest is open to all elementary, middle, high school, college and university custodians who have worked at their school for at least two years. Nominations must be 500 words or less on why the nominee is deserving of the award and submitted by February 9. Cintas will announce the top 10 finalists on March 5. The public can vote for their favorite custodian through April 12, and the finalist with the most votes will be crowned Custodian of the Year in the spring.
Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ Sr. Vice President and GM of Commercial Business Robert Posthauer added: “Taking on the responsibility of providing a healthy learning environment for students is no easy feat. We look forward to another year of taking part in honoring custodians who help make it possible for students to prosper at school.”
For more information about the Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, contact Brianna Fitzpatrick at [email protected]. A Custodian of the Year logo is available via email or Dropbox here.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. The company is also the creator of the Total Clean Program™ — a first-of-its-kind service that includes scheduled delivery of essential cleaning supplies, hygienically clean laundering, and sanitizing and disinfecting products and services. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About ISSA:
With more than 10,500 members – including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members – ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Toronto, Canada; Sydney, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products
Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), headquartered in Huntersville, NC, is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of washroom and safety, cleaning, waste handling, material transport, and food services. RCP is part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit www.rubbermaidcommercial.com to learn more.
CINCINNATI — May 3, 2023 — Congratulations to this year’s Cintas Custodian of the Year contest winner, Richard “Rich” Toomey from Kelly Mill Elementary in Cumming, Ga.! After over 200,000 votes were submitted, Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) confirmed Rich Toomey is this year’s grand prize winner. Rich was honored in a surprise ceremony by students, teachers, administration and his family – including his second-grade son who attends the school. He was presented with a $10,000 check on behalf of Cintas.
“It’s so important to recognize the dedication and often thankless hard work that custodians provide to schools,” said Christiny Betsch, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “It’s evident that Rich is a deeply valued member of his school and looked up to by students, staff and the community. It was an honor to be a part of giving him the recognition he deserves.”
Rich is a perfect example of a custodian who goes above and beyond their required tasks. From climbing on the roof to get balls for kids at recess to digging through trash cans in the cafeteria for a student’s mouth retainer, every job is done with a smile on his face. Once, a teacher came to him worried about a student with a compromised immune system, he took it upon himself to ensure the classroom received an extra thorough cleaning each day. His efforts to provide a healthy and safe environment show his consideration for everyone in the school.
“Custodians are essential to providing a safe and healthy place for children to learn,” said John Barrett, Executive Director, ISSA. “At ISSA, we’re dedicated to providing custodians and other cleaning professionals with certification programs to further their skills and help them toward leadership opportunities. This is why we are again offering our training services to this year’s finalists.”
In addition to the $10,000 cash prize, Rich will also receive $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services to their school. On top of that, his school will receive a facility assessment and consulting package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $30,000 and enrollment in the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Fundamentals Online Course. New this year, Rich, along with the two other Top 3 finalists, will receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to the ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas in November where they’ll be celebrated for their accomplishments. Stay tuned for an announcement next week on who the lucky other finalists are who will join Rich in Las Vegas!
“Rich Toomey is extremely deserving of this title, and we are honored to be a part of recognizing his hard work,” shared Robert Posthauer, SVP & GM Rubbermaid Commercial Business.
For more information about the Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, visit custodianoftheyear.com
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. The company is also the creator of the Total Clean Program™ — a first-of-its-kind service that includes scheduled delivery of essential cleaning supplies, hygienically clean laundering, and sanitizing and disinfecting products and services. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About ISSA:
With more than 10,500 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products:
Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC, headquartered in Huntersville, NC, is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of washroom and safety, cleaning, waste handling, material transport, and food services. RCP is part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit wwww.rubbermaidcommercial.com, and join us on Facebook (@rubbermaidcommercial), Instagram (@rubbermaidcommercialproducts), LinkedIn (@rubbermaidcommercialproducts), & Twitter (@RubbermaidComm) to learn more.
CINCINNATI – March 14, 2023 –Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) today announced the top 10 finalists in its 10th annual Cintas Custodian of the Year contest. From dressing up like Spiderman during recess to advocating for a mosquito sprayer to protect children from bites, these custodians are truly top-notch. From now through April 14, the public can vote for their favorite custodian at custodianoftheyear.com.
“We received an abundance of nominations highlighting remarkable custodians across the country,” said Christiny Betsch, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “As always, it’s difficult to select the top 10, but this year’s finalists stood out for their commitment, kindness and determination.”
The greatest number of public votes determines the winner of the Cintas Custodian of the Year contest. Cintas will award $10,000 to the winning custodian and $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services to the winner’s school. The winner’s school will also receive a facility assessment and consulting package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $30,000 and enrollment in the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Fundamentals Online Course. The other nine finalists will receive $1,000 each and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) virtual training event, valued at $1,500. The finalists’ schools will also receive a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid Commercial Products. New this year, the Top 3 finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to the ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas in November where they’ll be celebrated for their accomplishments.
“We’re truly inspired by each of the finalists who do much more than clean schools,” said John Barrett, Executive Director, ISSA. “School custodians are beacons of light in their communities and students look up to them as positive role models who lead by example.”
The top 10 finalists in the 2023 Cintas Custodian of the Year contest include (alphabetical order):
Abdul Akeely – Burns Park Elementary School (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Paul “Mr. Paul” Baerenwald – Mapleview Intermediate School (Kimberly, Wis.)
Rodney “Mr. Peanuts” Esser – Park Elementary School (Cross Plains, Wis.)
Ramiro Hernandez Julia – Tohopekaliga High School (Kissimmee, Fla.)
Barbara “Mrs. Barbara” James – Yulee Primary School (Yulee, Fla.)
David “Mr. Dave” Jeffers – Brokaw Early Learning Center (Oswego, Ill.)
Quan “Mr. Quan” Le – Friendswood Junior High (Friendswood, Texas)
Doreen “Ms. Doreen” Merritt – Elms Elementary School (Jackson, N.J.)
Jessica Prado – Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas)
Richard Toomey – Kelly Mill Elementary (Cumming, Ga.)
“We’re proud to honor these incredible custodians for their hard work, talent and dedication, and we wish them all good luck in the contest,” said Robert Posthauer, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Sales, Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
For more information about the Custodian of the Year contest, contact Brianna Fitzpatrick at [email protected] or 773-817-3106. A Custodian of the Year logo, as well as photos of the top 10 finalists are available via Dropbox here.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. The company is also the creator of the Total Clean Program™ — a first-of-its-kind service that includes scheduled delivery of essential cleaning supplies, hygienically clean laundering, and sanitizing and disinfecting products and services. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About ISSA:
With more than 10,500 members – including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members – ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products
Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), headquartered in Huntersville, NC, is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of washroom and safety, cleaning, waste handling, material transport, and food services. RCP is part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit www.rubbermaidcommercial.com to learn more.
Nominate a hardworking school custodian through February 17
CINCINNATI — Jan. 23, 2023 – In the past few years, the role of school custodians has never been more important. To honor their hard work and dedication, Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) launches its 10th annual Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, which honors standout school custodians. Submit nominations at custodianoftheyear.com through February 17.
“Custodians take on a lot of responsibility to help provide a clean and healthy space for students, faculty and staff,” said Christiny Betsch, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “For the last nine years we’ve heard tremendous stories of custodians going above and beyond and look forward to continue honoring custodians in this tenth year of the contest.”
Cintas will award $10,000 to the winning custodian and $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services to the winner’s school. On top of that, the winner’s school will receive a facility assessment and consulting package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $30,000 and enrollment in the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Fundamentals Online Course. The nine finalists who round out the Top 10 will receive $1,000 each on behalf of Cintas, a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) virtual training event, valued at $1,500. New this year, the Top 3 finalists will also receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to the ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas in November where they’ll be celebrated for their accomplishments.
“Despite long hours, custodians continue to show up for their students, faculty and others in their communities,” said John Barrett, Executive Director, ISSA. “ISSA has been in awe of their commitment, and we’re proud to work with Cintas to celebrate the best custodians across the U.S.”
Last year, Cintas Corporation awarded Lydell Henderson of Presidential Park Elementary School in Middletown, N.Y. as the 2022 Cintas Custodian of the Year. To celebrate Mr. Henderson, over 1,500 students and staff, in addition to his family, honored him with a surprise ceremony, complete with countless handmade signs from students and endless cheering and high-fives.
The Cintas Custodian of the Year contest is open to all elementary, middle, high school, college and university custodians who have worked at their school for at least two years. Nominations must be 500 words or less on why the nominee is deserving of the award and submitted by February 17. Cintas will announce the top 10 finalists on March 14. The public can vote for their favorite custodian through April 14, and the finalist with the most votes will be crowned Custodian of the Year at the end of April.
Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing, Robert Posthauer, added: “Custodians are the ones behind the scenes who ensure school facilities are welcoming learning environments. Without them, schools, universities and colleges wouldn’t be able to function properly. We’re delighted to again partner with Cintas as they celebrate the 10th Custodian of the Year awards to cherish school custodians.”
For more information about the Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, contact Brianna Fitzpatrick at [email protected]. A Custodian of the Year logo is available via email or Dropbox here.
About Cintas:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes getReady™to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety training, Cintas helps customers getReady for the Workday®. The company is also the creator of the Total Clean Program™ — a first-of-its-kind service that includes scheduled delivery of essential cleaning supplies, hygienically clean laundering, and sanitizing and disinfecting products and services. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About ISSA
With more than 10,500 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Mainz, Germany; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products:
Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC, headquartered in Huntersville, NC, is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of washroom and safety, cleaning, waste handling, material transport, and food services. RCP is part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit www.rubbermaidcommercial.com, and join us on Facebook (@rubbermaidcommercial), Instagram (@rubbermaidcommercialproducts), LinkedIn (@rubbermaidcommercialproducts), & Twitter (@RubbermaidComm) to learn more.
CINCINNATI — [April 27, 2020] –Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) crowned Howell Beasley of Albertville Kindergarten & Pre-K the 2020 Cintas Custodian of the Year®. Beasley will receive a $10,000 cash prize and his school will receive $5,000 in products and services from Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial Products, along with a comprehensive training and development package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $20,000.
“The Cintas Custodian of the Year contest shines a spotlight on hardworking custodians and gives them the recognition they deserve, which is especially important amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sean Mulcahey, Cintas marketing manager. “It’s clear that Howell is a role model for these children and goes above and beyond to ensure students and staff always have a clean and safe learning environment.”
Howell is an integral part of the Albertville Kindergarten & Pre-K community. His unwavering dedication and pride in his work has left a positive impact on students past and present for nearly 40 years. As the first person to always lend a helping hand, the Albertville Kindergarten & Pre-K community returned the favor by earning Howell nearly 30% of the votes to crown him the 2020 Cintas Custodian of the Year.
“Custodians are the heart and soul of every school, and it’s important to recognize the hard work that goes into maintaining healthy schools,” said Michael McDermott, president, Rubbermaid Commercial Products. “We’re thrilled to recognize Howell and the finalists with this incredible achievement.”
Each of the remaining nine finalists will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and free tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) training event, valued at $1,500. Additionally, its Global Biorisk Advisory Council division will provide access to its Microbial Warrior™ Workshop for all 10 finalists. The workshop teaches cleaning professionals how to prepare for, respond to and recover from biohazards such as the novel coronavirus in the workplace.
“Custodians go the extra mile by maintaining a healthy environment for students and staff, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said John Barrett, executive director, ISSA. “They’re on the frontlines ensuring that all schools are safe to return to, and we are honored to be a part of this contest to highlight Howell along with other custodians across the country.”
Due to social distancing restrictions, Albertville Kindergarten & Pre-K found a creative way to announce the news to Mr. Howell (as he’s lovingly known as around the school). Under the guise of a summer preparation and maintenance cleaning meeting, Howell was met by the principal and superintendent at the school and informed of the news with the faculty and staff watching via video conference.
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and training and compliance courses, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products:
Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), headquartered in Huntersville, N.C., is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of food services, sanitary maintenance, waste handling, material transport, away-from-home washroom and safety products. RCP is part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit www.rubbermaidcommercial.com.
About ISSA:
With more than 9,300 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Northbrook, IL, USA, the association has regional offices in Mainz, Germany; Parramatta, Australia; Whitby, Canada; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. Visit issa.com, join the discussion with ISSA’s LinkedIn group, and follow ISSA on our Facebook page and Twitter account. For more information, visit issa.com, or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
Nominate a hardworking school custodian through March 1
CINCINNATI — Feb. 25, 2022 – Across the country, school custodians continue to be unsung heroes by providing a cleaner and healthier learning environment for students, faculty and staff. To honor their hard work and dedication, Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) is now accepting nominations for its ninth-annual Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, which honors the best-of-the-best amongst school custodians. Submit nominations at custodianoftheyear.com through March 1.
“As the pandemic continues, custodians have adapted to increased cleaning measures to help ensure students, staff and visitors are entering clean and healthy learning facilities,” said Christiny Betsch, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “From disinfecting and cleaning to being a positive role model for students of all ages, this contest sheds a light on the hard work school custodians put in every day.”
Created to recognize and reward custodians who work tirelessly year-round, this contest, led by Cintas, awards $10,000 to the winning custodian and $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services to the winner’s school. The winner’s school will also receive a training, development and consulting package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $30,000 and enrollment in the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Fundamentals Online Course. An additional nine finalists will receive $1,000 each on behalf of Cintas and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) training event, valued at $1,500.
“Custodians are valuable members of any community who help to create clean and safe learning environments for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” said John Barrett, Executive Director, ISSA. “Their dedication is remarkable, and ISSA is proud to work with Cintas to honor the best school custodians in the country.”
Last year, Cintas Corporation crowned Mike Heiry of North Allegheny Intermediate High School in Pittsburgh as the 2021 Cintas Custodian of the Year. To honor Mr. Heiry, 800 students, in addition to the principal, superintendent, faculty and staff, celebrated him with a surprise ceremony, complete with the school marching band’s drumline and posters created by the student government organization.
The Cintas Custodian of the Year contest is open to all elementary, middle, high school, college and university custodians who have worked at their school for at least two years. Nominations must be 500 words or less on why the nominee is deserving of the award and submitted by March 1. Cintas is announcing the top 10 finalists on March 15. The public can vote for their favorite custodian through April 15, and the finalist with the most votes will be crowned Custodian of the Year on or around the week of April 25.
Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing, Robert Posthauer, added: “Custodians are the heart and soul of every school, and it’s important to spotlight the hard work that goes into making schools a clean, safe and positive place. We look forward to partnering with Cintas annually on the Custodian the Year award to express our sincere appreciation for custodians and their hard work that goes into maintaining healthy schools.”
For more information about the Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, please contact Matt Serra at [email protected].
About Cintas:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. The company is also the creator of the Total Clean Program™ — a first-of-its-kind service that includes scheduled delivery of essential cleaning supplies, hygienically clean laundering, and sanitizing and disinfecting products and services. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About ISSA
With more than 10,500 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Mainz, Germany; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products:
Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC, headquartered in Huntersville, NC, is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of washroom and safety, cleaning, waste handling, material transport, and food services. RCP is part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit www.rubbermaidcommercial.com, and join us on Facebook (@rubbermaidcommercial), Instagram (@rubbermaidcommercialproducts), LinkedIn (@rubbermaidcommercialproducts), & Twitter (@RubbermaidComm) to learn more.
CINCINNATI — May 12, 2022 – The winner of the 2024 Cintas Custodian of the Year contest is… Lydell Henderson from Presidential Park Elementary School in Middletown, N.Y.! After nearly 90,000 votes were cast, Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) confirmed Lydell Henderson is this year’s contest winner. Mr. Henderson was honored by over 1,500 students and staff in a surprise ceremony at the school and will receive a $10,000 cash prize from Cintas.
“This contest showcases the unique stories of hardworking custodians throughout the country who deserve recognition for their dedication to their profession,” said Christiny Betsch, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “The community at Presidential Park Elementary School clearly thinks the world of Mr. Henderson, and we’re honored to recognize Mr. Henderson for his achievements.”
School custodians often go above and beyond their regular tasks, including the time Mr. Henderson helped to prevent a student from choking. Without hesitation, he stepped up and performed the Heimlich Maneuver, which may have saved the student’s life. On top of this heroic act, he has been an asset at his school for the last 34 years with unmatched professionalism. His school and community rallied around him throughout the voting process, earning him roughly 30% of the contest’s total votes.
“Custodians play a vital role in schools across the U.S. in helping to keep students, faculty and staff healthy and safe,” said John Barrett, Executive Director, ISSA. “At ISSA, we’re dedicated to providing custodians and other cleaning professionals certification programs to make their jobs easier and more efficient. We’re excited to again offer our training services this year to contest winners and finalists.”
In addition to the $10,000 cash prize from Cintas, the school will receive $5,000 in products and services from Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial Products, along with a comprehensive training and development package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $30,000. Mr. Henderson will also receive enrollment in the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course that teaches cleaning professionals to prepare for, respond to and recover from biorisks in all types of facilities, from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC), a Division of ISSA.
Each of the remaining nine finalists will receive a cash prize of $1,000 from Cintas and free tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) training event, valued at $1,500.
“This is an exciting moment for Mr. Henderson, and we’re proud to take part in recognizing his achievement as the nation’s best custodian,” shared Robert Posthauer, Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing, Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. The company is also the creator of the Total Clean Program™ — a first-of-its-kind service that includes scheduled delivery of essential cleaning supplies, hygienically clean laundering, and sanitizing and disinfecting products and services. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About ISSA:
With more than 10,500 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products:
Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC, headquartered in Huntersville, NC, is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of washroom and safety, cleaning, waste handling, material transport, and food services. RCP is part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit wwww.rubbermaidcommercial.com, and join us on Facebook (@rubbermaidcommercial), Instagram (@rubbermaidcommercialproducts), LinkedIn (@rubbermaidcommercialproducts), & Twitter (@RubbermaidComm) to learn more.
CINCINNATI – March 15, 2022 – With custodians working harder to provide a safe and healthy learning environment amid the pandemic, Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) is proud to announce the top 10 finalists of its ninth-annual Custodian of the Year contest. From stopping a burglar in their tracks and securing a school before staff or students arrived, to taking extra time to make sure students are celebrated for their accomplishments, the top 10 finalists emulate what it means to be extraordinary. From now through April 15, the public is encouraged to vote for their favorite custodian at custodianoftheyear.com.
“We received over 2,200 exceptional nominations, and it was a challenge to narrow it down to only 10 finalists,” said Christiny Betsch, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “This contest continues to prove that custodians play a significant role in school communities across the country and have lasting, positive impacts on students and staff.”
The greatest number of public votes determines the winner of the 2022 Custodian of the Year contest. The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize along with $5,000 in products and services for his or her school from Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial Products. The winner’s school will also receive a training, development and consulting package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $30,000 and enrollment in the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Fundamentals Online Course. An additional nine finalists will receive $1,000 each on behalf of Cintas and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) training event, valued at $1,500.
“This is our third year sponsoring the contest and we continue to be inspired by the hard work and dedication of the top 10 finalists,” said John Barrett, Executive Director, ISSA. “Custodians are such positive role models at schools and truly leave a lasting impression for those they work with. We’re thankful to be a part of this contest and to help give recognition to the top 10 finalists.”
The top 10 finalists in the 2022 Custodian of the Year contest include (alphabetical order):
Rigoberto (Rigo) Bedolla – Las Animas Elementary School (Gilroy, Calif.)
Becky Burkhart – Chadwick School (Chadwick, Mo.)
Gerald Carter – Pike Road Elementary School (Pike Road, Ala.)
Frank DiPaolo – Washington Irving Elementary School (Oak Park, Ill.)
Lydell Henderson – Presidential Park Elementary School (Middletown, N.Y.)
Ilka Jenkins – Bricker Elementary School (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Raymond Johnson – Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, Va.)
James Lewis – Beltsville Academy (Beltsville, Md.)
David (Dave) Martin – Whitebead Public School (Pauls Valley, Okla.)
Louis (Lou) McCullen – Pohatcong Township School (Phillipsburg, N.J.)
“We’re honored to be part of recognizing the best custodians across the country and wish all finalists the best of luck,” shared Robert Posthauer, Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing, Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
For more information about the Custodian of the Year contest, please contact Matt Serra at [email protected] or 773-817-3106. A Custodian of the Year logo, as well as photos of the top 10 finalists are available via Dropbox here.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. The company is also the creator of the Total Clean Program™ — a first-of-its-kind service that includes scheduled delivery of essential cleaning supplies, hygienically clean laundering, and sanitizing and disinfecting products and services. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About ISSA:
With more than 10,500 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products:
Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC, headquartered in Huntersville, NC, is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of washroom and safety, cleaning, waste handling, material transport, and food services. RCP is part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit wwww.rubbermaidcommercial.com, and join us on Facebook (@rubbermaidcommercial), Instagram (@rubbermaidcommercialproducts), LinkedIn (@rubbermaidcommercialproducts), & Twitter (@RubbermaidComm) to learn more.
Cintas Kicks-off Eighth-Annual Nationwide Custodian of the Year Contest
Nominate a hardworking school custodian through March 2
CINCINNATI – Feb. 2, 2021 – School custodians have been the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to provide a cleaner and healthier learning environment for students, faculty and staff. To honor their hard work and dedication, Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) is now accepting nominations for its eighth-annual Custodian of the Year contest, which honors the best-of-the-best amongst school custodians. Submit nominations at custodianoftheyear.com through March 2.
“Custodians work around the clock to ensure students, staff and visitors are entering clean and healthy learning environments, even more so during the pandemic,” said Christiny Betsch, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “This contest highlights the valuable role custodians play every day, whether it’s through cleaning and maintaining facilities or lending a hand to a child in need.”
Created to recognize and reward custodians who work tirelessly year-round, the contest awards $10,000 to the winning custodian and $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services to the winner’s school. The winner’s school will also receive a comprehensive training and development package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $20,000 and enrollment in the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course that teaches cleaning professionals to prepare for, respond to and recover from biohazards in the workplace, from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA. An additional nine finalists will receive $1,000 each and free tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) training event, valued at $1,500.
“Custodians keep facilities running by creating a safe and healthy environment for all building occupants and visitors,” said John Barrett, Executive Director, ISSA. “Their unwavering dedication and commitment is astonishing and ISSA is honored to help Cintas crown the best custodian for the second year in a row.”
Last year, Cintas Corporation crowned Howell Beasley of Albertville Kindergarten & Pre-K in Alabama the 2020 Cintas Custodian of the Year. Despite restrictions, Beasley accepted his award via a Zoom video conference under the guise of a summer preparation and cleaning meeting, where he was celebrated by Cintas, the principal, superintendent and faculty and staff.
The Cintas Custodian of the Year contest is open to all elementary, middle, high school, college and university custodians who have worked at their school for at least two years. Nominations must be 500 words or less on why the nominee is deserving of the award and submitted by March 2. Cintas is announcing the top 10 finalists on March 16. The public can vote for their favorite custodian through April, and the finalist with the most votes will be crowned Custodian of the Year.
Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ Vice President of Marketing, Marta Aebischer, added: “Each year, we look forward to partnering with Cintas to showcase the annual Custodian of the Year. As we continue to battle the impact of COVID-19, it is critical to recognize their instrumental, front line role in keeping facilities clean over the last year, and we are committed to providing product solutions that make their jobs safer and easier.”
For more information regarding the Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, please contact Jessie Koerner at [email protected]. A Custodian of the Year logo is available via email or Dropbox here.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About ISSA:
With more than 9,300 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Northbrook, IL, USA, the association has regional offices in Mainz, Germany; Parramatta, Australia; Whitby, Canada; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. Visit issa.com, join the discussion with ISSA’s LinkedIn group, and follow ISSA on our Facebook page and Twitter account. For more information, visit issa.com, or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products:
Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), headquartered in Huntersville, N.C., is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of food services, sanitary maintenance, waste handling, material transport and away-from-home washroom and safety products. RCP, an ISO 9001:2000 manufacturer, is part of Newell Rubbermaid’s global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit www.rubbermaidcommercial.com.
