MSN’s Interview With Incoming ISSA President Laurie Sewell

Laurie Sewell

Laurie Sewell, President and CEO at Servicon, of Culver City, CA, — a privately-held provider of facility maintenance solutions and cleaning for complex and critical environments — will be introduced as the new ISSA president during the ISSA Show North America 2024. The event is scheduled for November 17-21, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, in Las Vegas, NV.

The following is a recent interview with Sewell, who discussed her background and past involvement within the cleaning industry and ISSA, and her vision for the future.

MSN: Please provide your background as it pertains to your professional life in the jan/san and/or related industries.

Sewell: “I have basically been in this industry my entire career, starting as a college intern. I joined Servicon full time after college and became involved with payroll, contract negotiations, marketing, the supplies division, sales, quality assurance, and procurement. I eventually left Servicon to work for a chemical manufacturer, running its newly acquired distribution company. That is where I learned a lot about manufacturing. I then came back to Servicon and became involved with the custodial maintenance side of our business. My work has included contract negotiations, sales, and logistics. I also started our green cleaning program.

MSN: How long have you been affiliated with ISSA, both from a company perspective and a personal perspective?

Sewell: “Servicon’s membership history with ISSA dates to 1987. On the personal side, I was fortunate during the early stage of my career to serve a three-year term on the ISSA Board of Directors as a Distributor Director from 2000 to 2002. I was also involved with the ISSA Young Executive Society (YES), holding various board positions including chairperson. In 1999, I earned the YES Industry Special Achievement Award. And, I have been active with the ISSA Hygieia Network and received the ISSA Hygieia Special Honors Award in 2016.”

MSN: How will your past leadership experience help lead ISSA in the coming year?

Sewell: “I’ve been fortunate in my career to become involved with different aspects of the supply chain, helping me better understand manufacturing, distribution, contract cleaning, building services, and facilities maintenance. In the process, I have developed better communication, collaboration, and shared-vision skills across all levels of the cleaning industry. That has involved work with frontline employees, trade people, mid-level and senior management.

“The ability to communicate across various levels of the industry is important as ISSA becomes more inclusive and reaches out to different organizations and people within the supply chain.”

MSN: What made you decide to seek the ISSA president’s post?

Sewell: “It was always in the back on by mind, after I originally served on the ISSA Board of Directors, to one day return and give back to the organization.

“Also, ISSA’s brand revolves around its mission to ‘changing the way the world views cleaning,’ and for years our mission at Servicon has been directed at ‘changing and elevating our industry.’ I’m excited to help ISSA with its mission which very much aligns with the mission of Servicon.

“I love this industry. When people find out I work in the Los Angeles area, they ask me if I work ‘in the industry,’ meaning the entertainment industry. I respond by saying, ‘Yes, I’m in the industry, the cleaning and maintenance industry; and it’s a great industry to be in.’ I have a lot of passion for ISSA and the entire industry.

 MSN: What personal and professional qualities will make you an effective ISSA president?

Sewell: “Through my professional experience I have developed a good understanding of the entire supply chain. I believe that is important as ISSA becomes more inclusive and continues working with more areas of the supply chain. With my first ISSA board service, we were the group that opened the ISSA Show to end-users.

“Also, I’m very adaptable, I think I’m a pretty good communicator, and I’m good working with a diverse workforce. I also feel that I’m a bridge builder, which is vital as ISSA continues to integrate and work with other associations.

“Finally, I feel my love for, and commitment to, the industry and ISSA will provide fuel for a successful presidency.”

MSN: What, from your perspective, is the role of ISSA in the cleaning/maintenance industry?

Sewell: “There are several key roles that ISSA fulfills. For one, ISSA is a leading resource for information. It’s where you go when you have questions about the industry, are starting a business, or when you ‘hit a wall’ in your business. ISSA has been incredibly helpful to me through the years as a business professional.

“Then there’s the education and certification opportunities available through ISSA. That includes CIMS (Cleaning Industry Management Standard) and various other training certifications. Also, networking has always been an important part of ISSA activities. For example, while the ISSA Show provides a great opportunity to further commerce, it’s also always been great for networking.

“ISSA is also the voice of our industry when it comes to government issues. For example, the ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit is where participants can meet with their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill, to advocate for issues important to the cleaning industry. I feel what ISSA accomplishes on the advocacy front is phenomenal.

MSN: What lessons have been learned from the COVID pandemic when it comes to proper cleaning, education, and training; and how can that experience help industry professionals in the years ahead?

Sewell: “Many people used to clean for appearance. The exception were critical environments such as clean rooms and health care facilities. When the pandemic struck, however, suddenly the importance of properly cleaning other spaces became apparent. People realized that just because something looks clean does not necessarily mean it is clean — and safe.

“At ISSA, we are always talking about cleaning for health — which is super easy when working within such environments as health care but not necessarily as easy with other types of facilities. However, I think most people have finally recognize that cleaning is much more than just visibility; it’s really about health and hygiene.

“I also feel frontline employees in our industry are now fully seen as true cleaning professionals and will continually need the proper training and education to help them further succeed in this very valuable work. These are professionals, after all, who are responsible for making sure our facilities, and the people who work and live in them, remain safe and healthy.”

MSN: What are some of the most prominent challenges and opportunities in the cleaning/maintenance industry today, and how can those issues be addressed by ISSA and its members?

Sewell: “Labor is one of the big concerns for the future, as more people exit the workforce. Therefore, being able to recruit and retain skilled employees is very important. ISSA helps its members with that challenge through different training, education and certification programs — as well as charting different career paths for people.

“ISSA also brings a general understanding and knowledge about the value of the cleaning industry. I often ask young people who are graduating from college if they have ever thought about working in the cleaning industry. When I explain the many opportunities that this industry provides, they often become much more interested. It helps that ISSA continues to rebrand the industry for the better, showing people how they can have a fantastic career in this line of work.

“ISSA will also continue to provide advocacy work regarding legislative and regulatory concerns. That involves the federal, state and local levels of government. Future subjects to be addressed include cleaning protocols and standards, unfair labor practices, and immigration. The latter is important when discussing growth in the workforce. Advocacy is also important to help elected officials see the full breadth and reach of our industry.”

MSN: Please discuss the importance of ISSA reacting to ongoing industry changes.

Sewell: “If we, within ISSA, truly want to provide global cleaning solutions for facilities in the future, then it’s important to understand the evolution taking place as it relates to changes and challenges. It’s essential that ISSA is proactive rather the reactionary. I feel the association is working hard to make sure the industry continues to innovate.

“It’s also important that we, within ISSA, put a lot of focus on the next generation coming into the industry, and equipping them with the proper tools to help the industry change for the better.”

MSN: What plans do you have, as ISSA president, for the coming year? What would you like to see accomplished?

Sewell: “During the past year, the ISSA Board and staff have been working on a strategic plan to help carry the association through 2030. We will work to finalize that plan in early 2025. The goal is to help ISSA focus on its core competencies.

“The ISSA staff is phenomenal. They know their mission is to grow membership value that includes certification, education, and advocacy. It’s also important to continue fostering the global community that involves cleaning and facility solutions. Part of that is identifying programs which will move the industry forward and better meet the needs of all member categories.”

MSN: Is there anything else that you would like to speak about?

Sewell: “I feel very privileged and humbled by the opportunity to have this experience. I feel ISSA has been my home for many years, and this industry is full of wonderful people who are very supportive, professional, and kind. I’m really thrilled to be able to give back.”