Speakers

Thank you to all of our 2017 Contracting Success Conference speakers!

Review the 2017 speakers below and be on the lookout for 2018 speaker announcements to come in the Spring.

KEYNOTES

Sarah Robb O'Hagan

CEO Flywheel Sports; Past Global President of Gatorade and Equinox; Past Marketing Director of Nike

The CEO of the fast-growing indoor cycling company Flywheel Sports, past president of Gatorade and Equinox, past marketing director of Nike, and founder of Extreme You, left her comfort zone a long time ago and never looked back. Sarah Robb O'Hagan believes in pedaling hard and learning from our most devastating "epic fails," her own of which include back-to-back firings in her mid 20s.

Jonathan Fader, PhD

Director of Mental Conditioning for the New York Giants

Dr. Fader, a licensed performance psychologist and director of mental conditioning for the New York Giants, regularly contributes as an expert psychologist on TV and radio, sharing his advice on performance improvement. Dr. Fader's goal is to help people realize their full potential with evidence-based research and tested efficacy.

SPEAKERS

Chris Arlen

President, Revenue-IQ

Chris Arlen, President of Revenue-IQ, has helped service suppliers win large contracts for over 20 years. A former ABM sales and marketing executive, Chris trains clients to analyze bids, design solutions, create persuasive proposals and present interactive slideshows. As a highly successful technical proposal writer, Chris’s win rate of 68.4 percent has earned his clients more than $665 million in secured contracts. His clients include the largest janitorial and security contractors in North America, such as Able, ABM, Compass, C&W Services, GCA, Harvard Maintenance, as well as Allied Universal (formerly AlliedBarton), G4S, and Securitas.

Kathleen Bands

Vice President, My Cleaning Service, Inc.

Kathleen Bands is the vice president of My Cleaning Service, Inc.

Michael Brown

CEO, Swept

When Michael Brown owned a commercial cleaning company, his team developed technology to create a competitive advantage and remove the ability for clients to compare his company to competitors. This was followed by rapid growth and now Michael is focusing solely on technology in the janitorial industry that supports and engages cleaners. Michael believes technology can assist and amplify many aspects of a cleaning business, but people are at the core and need to be connected to be successful.

Shane Campbell

Director of Training and HR, Varsity Facility Services

Shane Campbell is the director of training and HR at Varsity Facility Services.

Marc Collings

VP of Marketing, SVP of Sales and Marketing, Varsity Facility Services

Marc Collings has spent his career developing strategic capabilities that enhance value to customers and company. A Lean Sigma Green belt himself, he developed the Varsity Facility Services’ Lean Sigma offering, providing an innovative solution to customers’ need to lower cost while raising quality. He led the development of JanOPS, an industry-leading janitorial operating system, which brings standardization and service consistency to large campus and geographically disperse national accounts.

Henricus Cox

CFO, SparkleTeam

In 2003, Henricus co-founded SparkleTeam, a BSC based in Boca Raton, Florida. SparkleTeam currently services about 4.8 million square feet of commercial office space throughout South Florida. Over 11 years ago, Henricus introduced Microsoft’s CRM to SparkleTeam, and gradually extended it from a “customer database” to an all-inclusive management system covering lead management, sales proposals, contracts, service tickets, order management, workflow management, client communications, crew management and inspection surveys - all from the same CRM platform, and all developed in-house.

Julie Ann García

President & COO, Action Service Corporation

Julie García, PhD, CBSE, is a graduate of University of Puerto Rico. She later obtained a master and doctorate from CAU in clinical psychology. While working as a psychologist, she began to collaborate in the diverse business ventures to the extent of dedicating herself full time to these endeavors. For the past 18 years she has held diverse positions within Action Service: supervisor, quality auditor and, currently, president. Julie has been a speaker for Building Services Contractors Association International, International Facility Management Association and Puerto Rico Manufacturing Association on topics such as Green Cleaning and Change Management.

Travis Graham

Product Owner, TEAM Software, Inc.

Travis Graham joined TEAM Software in 2016 and brings with him an extensive background in reporting and analytics. Travis is the Product Owner managing TEAM Software's strategy for data and reporting and spearheads the insights dashboard effort. In his previous roles, Travis has contributed to data-related initiatives, enabling teams to better understand product usage and developing reports to boost operational efficiency. He has an MBA and MS in IT Management from Creighton University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from Simpson College.

Mark Herbick

Founder & CEO, Pursant, LLC

Mark Herbick has been a serial entrepreneur and buyer/seller of businesses his entire life, having bought, sold and operated over a dozen companies of his own (many in the building services sector) and advised on countless strategic transactions in numerous sectors. His businesses have employed as few as a dozen people and as many as 1400. He grew his companies through acquisitions, strategic divestitures of divisions and managed organic growth. In 2009 he founded Pursant, LLC. Pursant is the Investment Bank that helps middle market business owners grow the value of their companies and maximize that value by executing successful strategic transactions.

Peter Holton

Managing Director, Caber Hill Advisors

Peter J. Holton, Managing Director of Caber Hill Advisors, has over 20 years of experience in sales, operations and M&A within the facility service industry. He is an expert at negotiating complex deal structures and developing successful business strategies. He received a master’s degree in management and leadership from Webster University and Bachelor of Arts in Communication from University of Dayton and he has received his CM&AA (Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor). Peter is a proud consultative member of BSCAI and has given several seminars for janitorial businesses owners around the country within BSCAI and ISSA just to name a few.

Olon Hyde

Director of Operations, Office Pride Commercial Cleaning

Olon Hyde serves as the Director of Operations for Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services. Office Pride has franchises in 32 states across the country. Working with this broad base of franchisees, and having been a franchise owner himself, has given Olon the experience to know what works and what doesn't when it comes to hiring, training and motivating employees.

Collie King

Kwantek, LLC

R. Collie King, III has amassed over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in IT development, business management, and organizational leadership. His role in Kwantek, which he founded in 1999, is to provide an overall vision for the company, while challenging, simplifying, and streamlining operations to help the company achieve its goals. Collie is passionate about finding solutions to employee turnover and retention in industry verticals where new analytics are challenging traditional thinking. Prior to Kwantek, he successfully built a Regional Telecom Company followed by a National Internet Access Provider, which he sold in 1998 to IXC Communications (Austin, TX).

Tom Kruse

Senior Vice President, M&A, Marsden

Tom Kruse is the senior vice president, M&A, at Marsden.

Bryan Lazorik

Bryco Services

Bryan Lazorik has been President of Bryco Services since he founded the company in 2001. Under Bryan's direction and leadership, Bryco Services has experienced consistent growth over that last fifteen years, with more aggressive growth in the last two years. Bryan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources and Marketing from Purdue University by attending classes during the day and cleaning accounts at night. Bryan uses his twenty years of management experience as well his Purdue education to lead the company in the areas of strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, sales, training and community outreach.

Jason Lee

CEO and Founder, Lee Building Maintenance

Jason Lee is the CEO and founder of Lee Building Maintenance.

Eric Luke

President and CEO, Varsity Facility Services

After working as a Senior Accountant and Small Business consultant for Arthur Andersen in San Francisco CA, Eric joined Varsity Facility Services in Denver Colorado as a District Manager in 1989. Eric led the company in its development of its national accounts, and facility maintenance and construction divisions for nearly 25 years. Varsity Facility Services is now a North American building services company with 3,800 employees located from Alaska and throughout Canada, and from Hawaii to Florida. Varsity cleans, repairs and builds commercial facilities. In business since 1957, Varsity is still family and privately owned. In 2010, Eric became the company’s 4rth President and CEO. Varsity and its founder Don Aslett boast to having the world’s largest and finest Janitor’s Museum, built in their own Platinum Leeds Certified facility. Eric graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brigham Young University with a degree in Accounting and Information Systems.

Curtis McLemore

Curtis has over 20 years of experience in the custodial services industry. He joined McLemore full-time in 1993, after working part-time with the company throughout high school and college. He managed the Special Services Division and served as Regional Manager for overall Operations outside Houston. In 1998, he was promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. After Don McLemore (the company's founder) retired, Curtis assumed the responsibilities of CEO and now oversees the strategic vision and direction of the company. Curtis attended the University of Houston. He has also earned the RBSM (Registered Building Service Manager) certification from BSCAI (Building Service Contractors Association International), and is a past BSCAI President and Board of Directors member.

Jacob Monty

Managing Partner, Monty & Ramirez LLP

Jacob M. Monty, Board-certified in Labor & Employment Law, founded Monty & Ramirez LLP to offer an integrated approach to dealing with Hispanic workforces. He is a nationally-recognized authority on issues facing employers with large Hispanic workforces. Jacob speaks regularly on navigating labor & employment matters in industries with heightened immigration scrutiny. His clients include professional baseball teams, grocery store chains, single establishment and chain restaurants, and leading companies in the construction and facility maintenance fields. He addresses all critical aspects of employer advocacy, from business & family immigration to union matters, workplace safety, and employment disputes.

Jim Perkins

Business Development Manager, SupplyWorks

Jim Perkins is a Business Development Manager for SupplyWorks, a wholesale division of The Home Depot. His career experience is solely in the MRO industry with heavy focus on the commercial sector. He has a strong background in both sales and operations, lending himself well to his current role. Jim partners with numerous Building Service Contractors nationally to help them enter the facility maintenance arena with their clients. Jim resides in the Charlotte, NC area with his wife and daughter. His interests include family, music, and guitar and enjoys singing/songwriting when he has the chance.

Dave Prewitt

VP of Sales & Marketing, McLemore Building Maintenance

Dave Prewitt joined McLemore in 2006 as Houston’s Operations Branch Manager. Dave is now responsible for all of McLemore’s Business development throughout its geographic area of coverage. He has earned his LEED Green Associate Accreditation. He is also an active member of IFMA (International Facility Managers Association) and is a HHPC Day Certified Expert.

Marc Robitzkat

Global Director of Marketing Technology, Diversey

Marc Robitzkat is the Global Director of Marketing Technology at Sealed Air Diversey Care. His team is responsible to drive the strategy, development and implementation of technology based applications to market and bring the company's digital vision to live. Sealed Air Diversey Care utilizes Internet of Things technology to remotely monitor equipment, machines and operations through sensor-generated data. This allows for complete insight into operations, dosing, compliance and machine performance and transforms service models from reactive to proactive and predictive. His background is in sales and marketing, where he has held leadership roles across the Middle East, Europe and is now based in the USA.

Richard Rodriguez

McLemore Building Maintenance

Richard Rodriguez works at McLemore Building Maintenance.

Christi Rohmer

Penrod & Associates

Christi Rohmer has an extensive background driving M&A, including ten years as CFO of the ISS Facility Services, Inc.’s US operations and the legacy company, Sanitors, Inc., which she helped grow from a regional business with operations in two states to a large national entity through acquisitions and organic growth. During her time at ISS she helped lead the team that implemented the Hewlett Packard integrated facilities contract, the largest facilities management contract let in the US, covering numerous services at over 144 locations across North America. She currently works with Penrod & Associates, and M&A intermediary firm specializing in the facilities services industry.

John Schwepker

Vice President of Sales, Training and Quality

John is the Vice President of Sales, Training and Quality for Abstrakt Marketing group, one of the fastest growing marketing companies in the country. He has a diverse background of working for Fortune 500 companies, privately held companies as well as being an entrepreneur. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at Southeast Missouri State University as well as an MBA from the University of Phoenix and has over two decades of Sales and Sales Management experience. John has been instrumental in helping Abstrakt grow by over 280% in the three years he has been there.

Steve Shuchat

President, Clean All Services

Steve Shuchat, President and shareholder of the company. Steve has worked full-time for Clean All Services since 1993, and has been President since 1999. He has a bachelor's degree in business from Ohio University. In addition, he has received a CBSE (Certified Building Service Executive) designation from the Building Service Contractors Association International. Under Steve's leadership, Clean All Services has sustained 8-12% annual growth rate. Steve is also active in both industry and local charitable organizations.

Claudia St. John

President, Affinity HR Group

Claudia St. John is president of Affinity HR Group, an author and an HR professional with more than 20 years' experience in human resources. Prior to forming Affinity HR Group, Claudia served as senior consultant for Mercer Human Resources Consulting, the nation’s top HR consulting firm, in Washington DC and Geneva Switzerland, Vice President for People for POMCO Group, Manager of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s National Labor Office and Senior Policy Associate for the AFL-CIO. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The American University and her Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University.

Jeff Stachowiak

Director of Safety Training, Sunbelt Rentals

Currently Jeff Stachowiak is the National Safety Training Director for Sunbelt Rentals. Jeff was the National Safety Director and Director of Access Safety Training for Sunbelt from 2000 to 2008. Prior to Sunbelt, Jeff was Director of Marketing and Safety for BPS Equipment Rental and Sales formerly Saf-T-Green Scaffolding, for 9 years handling workers comp, auto and liability claims and producing all the advertising and marketing materials for the company. Jeff started in the rental business in 1986.

Laura Swidorski

Senior Corporate Account Manager, Ecolab

Laura Swidorski has over 25 years experience in the cleaning and maintenance industry. As Sr. Corporate Account Manager, she works with customers to manage costs through a reduction in turnover, focusing on safety first and through increased service and support. Laura earned a Master's in Training & Development from Roosevelt University in 2007 and continues her love of training through her work.

Paul Taylor

President, ESS Clean, Inc.

Paul Taylor is Founder and President of ESS Clean, Inc. ESS Clean has grown every year since 1995 thanks to the awesome ESS team on the front line - people who get the job done, treat customers well and don't make excuses. Paul is a past BSCAI board member and is currently co-chair of the BSCAI Membership Committee.

Jamie Van Vuren

CEO, Bee Line Support, Inc.

Innovative. Fearless. Forward-thinking. Bee Line Support CEO Jamie Van Vuren has grown her Chicagoland woman-owned-and-operated facility services business from 10 employees in 1997 to the 400+-person enterprise it is today. Bee Line is renowned for mentoring and promoting from within. Jamie’s growth trajectory is boundless, focused on medical, industrial, corporate and private schools. Beyond Bee Line, the Spanish-speaking CEO is a BSCAI past board member, an active Chicago YPO board member, and a fierce athlete who has competed in the Hawaii Ironman World Championship and the Boston Marathon, thrice. Jamie lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.

L. Dana Weaver, Jr.

Consultant, L Dana Weaver Consulting

CPA MBA PRESIDENT AND OWNER OF THE ABS COMPANIES GREW COMPANY REVENUES TO $150,000,000 AND EBITDA TO $11,000,000. OPERATED IN 14 STATES AND 23 METRO MARKETS SERVICED FORTUNE 500/1000 CORPORATIONS AND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Graham Youtsey

Legacy Leader

Graham spent almost 20 years in the big bank world as a successful commercial loan officer and residential mortgage broker. He also brokered loans out of his home during the great recession. Grumpy and frustrated his wife forced him to quit and find a new career. A crushed ego, lost identity, and no longer the bread winner he started down the path of what’s next. Being the ever optimistic and creative strategist he joined his wife's company and developed the sales strategy. During the five years of double-digit growth he was asked to coach and speak at various functions. He currently works with business owners in developing themselves professionally and personally to be, do, and have more than they ever imagined.