The runners-up will join the grand prize winner in Las Vegas for the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Show in North America
CINCINNATI, Ohio – Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) today announced the 2025 Custodian of the Year contest finalists. This year’s finalists joining the grand prize winner in Las Vegas are Rosalio “Lio” Rodriguez from Sachse High School in Sachse, Texas and Micaela “Mica” Ortiz Arredondo from William G. Hibbard Elementary in Chicago. The two custodians were each surprised with a ceremony at their respective schools by teachers, their families and Cintas representatives. They were awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a trip for two to Las Vegas, where they’ll be celebrated during the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Show North America.
“The outpouring of community support for Lio and Mica, along with the other eight finalists, was a standout aspect of this year’s contest,” said Emily Ramos, Director of Marketing at Cintas. “Their hard work and dedication truly stood out, and we look forward to honoring their achievements together at the ISSA Show in November.”
Lio is known for an exceptional work ethic and dedication. He always goes above and beyond to keep the school in top-notch condition. Lio leads by example, with a smile on his face, inspiring both faculty and students with his passion for his work and positive disposition.
“Creating safe and welcoming spaces in schools wouldn’t be possible without the vital work of custodians,” said John Barett, Executive Director of ISSA. “The dedication these two custodians display, despite the demanding nature of their work, speaks volumes about their commitment to the well-being of their entire school community.”
Mica approaches everything she does with kindness. More than just a custodian, she creates a welcoming and supportive environment for students, staff and visitors alike. For example, she speaks to students in both English and Spanish and often goes above and beyond to make families feel at home.
“Lio and Mica’s dedication to their school communities is evident in everything they do, with their impact extending far beyond cleaning, earning them this well-deserved recognition,” said Robert Posthauer, SVP & GM of Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
Lio and Mica will also receive a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid Commercial Products and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) virtual training event, valued at $1,500.
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, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, 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 11,000 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:
Headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products that support the hard workers who keep the world working in commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered world-class solutions in waste management, material transport, cleaning, safety, washroom, and foodservice made with the most durable materials to last longer, clean deeper, and keep people safer. RCP is one of the many industry-leading brands within the Newell Brands global portfolio. More information can be found at www.rubbermaidcommercial.com or on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
Cintas Media Contact:
Michelle Goret, Cintas Vice President of Corporate Affairs | [email protected], 513-972-4155
Dan Davis, from Deerfield Elementary School, has been crowned the 2025 grand prize winner
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Congratulations to the 12th annual Cintas Custodian of the Year contest winner, Dan Davis from Deerfield Elementary School in Short Hills, New Jersey. After thousands of votes were submitted, Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) has crowned Dan Davis as the 2025 grand prize winner. Dan was honored today with a surprise ceremony by students, teachers, staff and his family and was presented with a $10,000 check from Cintas.
“Too often, the hard work of custodians goes unnoticed, yet they’re the unsung heroes of our facilities, keeping them clean and safe,” said Emily Ramos, Director of Marketing at Cintas. “Dan is a valued member of his community and a role model for students. It was an honor to help celebrate his well-deserved recognition.”
Dan exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond as a school custodian. He arrives each day with a smile and positive attitude, creating a welcoming atmosphere throughout the school. His commitment is evident in how he keeps the school clean and organized, and how quickly and willingly he responds to unexpected challenges. The entire community values his reliability, attention to detail, and uplifting presence. When a staff member broke their foot, Dan didn’t hesitate to lend a hand, going out of his way to help them in and out of their car. He’s also a familiar and friendly face during drop-off and pick-up, always offering students a bright smile, an enthusiastic hello or a first bump that starts their day on the right note.
“Custodians play a vital role in maintaining a safe, healthy school environment where children can learn and thrive,” said John Barrett, Executive Director of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association. “For over 100 years, ISSA has been committed to advancing the cleaning industry. The training opportunities we’re providing to this year’s finalists will help them build on their skills and open the door to future leadership roles.”
In addition to the $10,000 cash prize, Dan will receive $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial Products and services for his school. His school also receives a comprehensive facility assessment, valued at $20,000, in partnership with the ISSA Global Consulting Network. Cintas will also award the winning school a pizza party for all staff and students. Dan, along with the two other 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.
“Dan Davis is extremely deserving of this title, and we are honored to be a part of recognizing his hard work,” added Robert Posthauer, SVP & GM, Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
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, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, 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 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:
Headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) 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 waste handling, material transport, cleaning, safety, washroom, and foodservice. RCP is one of the many industry-leading brands within the Newell Brands global portfolio. More information can be found at www.rubbermaidcommercial.com or on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
Cintas Media Contact:
Michelle Goret, Cintas Vice President of Corporate Affairs | [email protected], 513-972-4155
Public voting is now open for the 12th annual nationwide contest
CINCINNATI, Ohio – Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) today announced the top 10 finalists in its 12th annual Cintas Custodian of the Year contest. This year’s finalists from across the U.S. showcase tremendous dedication and commitment to their schools. From now through April 11, the public can vote for their favorite custodian at custodianoftheyear.com.
“We received thousands of heartfelt nominations and inspiring stories showcasing exceptional custodians nationwide,” said Emily Ramos, Director of Marketing at Cintas. “As always, narrowing it down to the top 10 is a challenge, but this year’s finalists truly stood out for their unwavering dedication to both their schools and 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. The winner’s school will also receive a complete facility assessment valued at $20,000 from The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, ISSA, along with 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.
“We’re truly inspired by each of the finalists who go above and beyond for their schools,” said John Barrett, Executive Director of ISSA. “School custodians play a vital role in their communities, serving as role models and leaders that students look up to every day.”
The top 10 finalists in the 2025 Cintas Custodian of the Year contest include (in alphabetical order):
- Brenda “Ms. Brenda” Finkelstein – LSU Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool (Baton Rouge, La.)
- Carlos Aguirre – Quarry Trail Elementary (Rocklin, Calif.)
- Dan Davis – Deerfield Elementary School (Short Hills, N.J.)
- Jennifer Aitken – Arizona Western College (Yuma, Ariz.)
- Jenny Low – University of California, San Francisco (San Francisco, Calif.)
- Keith Wilson – Florida Autism Center of Excellence (Tampa, Fla.)
- Micaela “Mica” Ortiz Arredondo – William G. Hibbard Elementary (Chicago, Ill)
- Robert “Bobbie” Patterson IV – Juanita High School (Kirkland, Wash.)
- Roberto Valdez – Northeastern University (Nahant, Mass.)
- Rosalio “Lio” Rodriguez – Sachse High School (Sachse, Texas)
“We’re honored to celebrate these outstanding custodians for their hard work, talent and dedication,” said Robert Posthauer, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
For more information about the Custodian of the Year contest, contact Christina Burzynski at [email protected]. A Custodian of the Year logo and 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, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, 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 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.
Contact: Christina Burzynski
Mulberry Marketing Communications
[email protected]