TAMPA, Fla. — The Board of Directors for the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) this week voted to take further action in support of maintaining association operations following the death of longtime CEO David Cotter, 64, who had served in that role since 1993.
Since Cotter’s death in early August, TCATA President Leslie Schaeffer has continued to maintain association operations and services to its members. The international association represents manufacturers and distributors of drycleaning and laundry equipment and supplies.
The board voted that—effective January 1, 2020—Schaeffer will become the association’s CEO and President-elect Fred Schwarzmann, chairman and CEO of the A.L. Wilson Chemical Co., will become president.
Schaeffer owns BPS Communications and manages three regional drycleaning and laundry association trade shows. She will continue those duties.
The board also promoted Office Manager Luci Ward to business manager. Her duties will include helping create a more member-driven culture as well as supporting the goals and objectives of TCATA’s strategic plan, the association says.
The board offered a special thanks to Schaeffer, Ward and past President Bill Odorizzi of Sankosha USA for their “extraordinary work” for the association during this transitional period.
TCATA will celebrate its 100th anniversary April 29 through May 2, 2020, at its Annual Conference in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
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