DUBLIN, Ohio — During a recent meeting of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists (AWGS), Nadine Rana of Style & Grace Cleaners in Toronto, Ontario, was awarded with the organization’s 13th annual Jack Barth Memorial Award of Excellence.
Initiated by Linda Stokes-Barth in remembrance of her late husband and his achievements in the drycleaning industry, the award recognizes an AWGS member for advancement, promotion, and development of industry standards for wedding gown care and for outstanding contributions and service to the Association and its members.
Rana has deep ties in the industry and the organization. parents, Neville and Grace Mungal, joined the Association in 1991, and Rana and her brother Don Mungal (of Drape Master) are currently second-generation owners.
Rana has presided over rebranding her company from multiple names to the new designation Style & Grace Cleaners, the organization notes.
“Our goal at Style & Grace is to take the term ‘Take you to the cleaners’ and turn it on its head, leaving you with a positive experience, polished product, and convenient service,” Rana says. “Our expert dry or wet cleaning, garment finishing and convenient repairs and alterations will make sure you maintain your style, with grace.”
At a 2023 meeting of the Association in Napa, California, Rana co-chaired a team that managed the group’s self-directed SWOT analysis and has continued to direct the team’s follow-up activities including Zoom calls devoted to developing a process for obtaining reviews and partnering with bridal boutiques.
In previous years she has presented on topics such as “Training and Recruiting a Reliable Team.” AGWS states that she was also an important component in the creation of the Association’s all-new websites www.weddinggownspecialists.com and www.weddinggownspecialists.net which include a special digital resource section accessible to Association members only.
Meeting Details
During the meeting in Dublin, members toured member plant Dublin Cleaners, owned and managed by Brian Butler as well as Greg and Margaret Butler, and heard from guest speakers, including digital marketing strategist Kristina Stubblefield, who is also an expert in AI, and Emily Rochotte, a social media manager whose specialty is TikTok content.
Other speakers at the event included Jim Gilligan of Snedicor’s in Howell, Michigan, on the topic of transitioning to a delivery-only model of garment care, as well as Gary Fine of Parkers Custom Clothing Care in Toronto, Ontario, and Mickey Goldberg of One Local on generating reviews at the counter.
In addition to speakers, there was a series of round-table conversations offering members the chance to discuss topics ranging from the best techniques for marketing with AI to appealing to brides on TikTok. Table hosts were Clare Bobbitt of Oceanside Cleaners in Jacksonville, Florida, on creating a positive work culture; Brian Butler on training with video; and National Training Director Dave Matthews on managing tough cleaning challenges.
New and Retiring Board Members
Retiring president Kermit Engh of Fashion Cleaners and Omaha Lace in Omaha, Nebraska, as well as of Methods for Management presided over the installation of officers: incoming president Kyle Matthews of Janet Davis Cleaners in Berkeley, Michigan, vice president Gary Fine of Parkers Custom Clothing Care in Toronto, Ontario, and secretary-treasurer Rhonda Wernick of Oakwood the Greener Cleaners in Nashville, Tennessee.
Engh takes the place of immediate past president Malcolm MacGregor of Brown’s Cleaners in Ottawa, Ontario, who remains in place as chair of the Budget and Finance Committee.
Incoming members of the Board are Bobbitt and Kurt Lucero of The Cleanery in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Retiring members of the Board are Brandon Maloney of Nu-Yale Cleaners in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky, and Tom Ustanik of Lansing Cleaners in Lansing, Illinois.
Members new to the Association are Randy and Ramona Jaeger of Canyon Cleaners in Rifle, Colorado, Art Buckland of Nor’East Cleaners in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Will Drook of Fox Cleaners and Armstrong Cleaners in Dayton, Ohio, Maggie Fox of Fox Cleaners in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Greg Gunderson of Gunderson Cleaners in Appleton, Wisconsin, Marcus Walker of Upton Cleaners in Southport, Queensland, Australia, Brittany Chamberland of ARC Sewing Services in St. Paul, Alberta, Canada, and Dominador Asis III of Absolute Laundry and Drycleaners in Antipolo City, The Philippines.
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