Nominations Open April 1 for Drycleaning & Laundry Institute’s Hall of Fame Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 5, 2026

CONTACT: Harry A. Kimmel III, APR PRSA • HKimmel@DLIonline.org • 800-638-2627

Nominations Open April 1 for Drycleaning & Laundry Institute’s Hall of Fame Award

Nominations open April 1 for the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute’s (DLI) 2026 Hall of Fame Award—the Institute’s highest honor recognizing individuals whose leadership and service have strengthened the drycleaning and laundry industry. DLI invites all industry professionals to submit a nomination, and membership is not required to nominate a candidate or to be selected. Established by DLI’s Board of Directors, the Hall of Fame Award celebrates those who have advanced the industry through lasting contributions, meaningful innovation, and a commitment to raising standards for cleaners everywhere.

Nominations for DLI’s Hall of Fame Award are open April 1 – May 15 and will be accepted from and for any industry participant, regardless of organizational membership, through a form available at DLIonline.org/HoF. DLI’s Board of Directors will review applications and recipients will be announced to the industry by mid-September. Applications have a three-year shelf life, meaning any nomination filed may be considered for up to three years.

Candidates for the award include industry pioneers, exceptional business leaders, and community advocates. DLI intends to shine a spotlight on individuals who have made a lasting positive impact on the industry.

Mary Scalco, DLI’s CEO, said, "Professional drycleaning and laundry operators from all over the world contribute to the betterment of our industry every day. Our goal with the Hall of Fame is to recognize contributions made by any professional in our industry who has made a positive impact and honor them as examples for other members of the industry. All cleaning professionals, regardless of membership, are welcome to nominate industry professionals they see as inspirational for this award."

Norman Way of Puritan Cleaners in Richmond, Virginia and District 2 Director on DLI Board, said, "The DLI Board Board of Directors thought of people in our industry who helped us grow personally and professionally and how we might honor them. We know others feel the same and the DLI Hall of Fame Award seems like the perfect way to commend and recognize these impactful leaders who left a lasting effect on us all."

“DLI’s Hall of Fame award is just one of many aspects that makes our industry great,” said Mark Albrecht of The Route Pros in Woodbury, New Jersey. “We all have so many true mentors and drycleaning superheroes. This award will ensure that those peoples’ legacies are at the forefront of so many of our minds as we move into the future.”

Online Nominations Due May 15

To be eligible for nomination, candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of experience working in the drycleaning and laundry industry. Awardees will be publicly announced and celebrated.

Previous Inductees

DLI recognized 15 industry legends with its Hall of Fame Award to date, including:

• Jim Barry, GreenEarth Cleaning
• Walter “Buster” Bell, Bell Laundry and Cleaners, Spartanburg, South Carolina
• Milt Chortkoff, Milt & Edie’s Drycleaning & Tailoring Center, Burbank, California
• Barney Deden, retired drycleaner in Omaha, Nebraska
• James Douglas, GreenEarth Cleaning
• Chris Edwards, A Cleaner World, High Point, North Carolina
• Dan Eisen, industry educator
• Don Fawcett, Dependable Cleaners, Quincy, Massachusetts
• Stan Golomb, Founder of The Golomb Group, Chicago, Illinois
• Jeffrey Miller, Miller’s Fine Drycleaning, Hendersonville, North Carolina
• Michael Nesbit, MW Cleaners and DLI Past President
• James Peuster, The Route Pros
• William Joseph “Dixie” Stoddard, inventor or Stoddard solvent
• Sid Tuchman, Tuchman Training Systems, San Francisco, California
• Jane Zellers, industry educator

These individuals consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement in their respective fields. DLI’s Hall of Fame was created to honor outstanding industry individuals and businesses. The Hall of Fame award succeeds the Institute’s highest honor, celebrating excellence in leadership, business operations, community involvement, environmental stewardship, and a deep-seated passion for the industry.

All 2026 recipients of the Hall of Fame Award will be recognized at regional or national events, further highlighting their significant contributions to the drycleaning and laundry industry.

For more information about the DLI Hall of Fame Award and to make a nomination, please visit DLI's official Hall of Fame page at DLIonline.org/HoF

About DLI:

The Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI) is the premier international trade association for garment care professionals since 1883. The organization's mission is to empower fabricare professionals and elevate the industry through education, research, and advocacy. DLI offers a wide range of resources, education, and support to its members. For more information, please contact DLI at 800-638-2627.

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