One-Thousand Years

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Each year, Zengeler Cleaners writes, it celebrates longevity among its employees by recognizing those with 20 or more years of service. For the first time in its history, it points out, “this 20 Year Club now exceeds 1,000 years of service.”

The family-owned business has 33 employees who have been with the company for 20 or more years, combining for 1,018 total years of service – a key to 161 years of success for the company, it relates.

The 20 Year Club is led by family patriarch Robert Zengeler, Sr., who still comes to work at age 88 to the Park Avenue store in Libertyville, Ill., in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, several days a week.

“When employees observe my father still loving his work in his 73rd year, they also see him as both an inspiration and a role model,” says Tom Zengeler, fifth generation company president. “His dedication sets a positive tone that resonates throughout the company.”

Here are the members of Zengeler Cleaners’ 20 Year Club, listed in order of their longevity and with their current number of years of service in parentheses:

Robert Zengeler, Sr. (73); Joanne Koutsovitis and Michael Zengeler (45); Robert Zengeler, Jr.,and Racheal Wiggins-Kolb (44); Thomas Zengeler and Alyce Kingsley (41); Castula Vergara (40); Joan Nebel (38); Fernanda Estela (35); Nancy Brookman (33); Dennis Ori (32); Hector Alvarado and Dolores Alcantar (31); Jose Gil (29); William Fisher and Icela Chavez (28); Martin Levit and Patricia Miller (25); Claudia Galvez, Rosalba Perez and Enrique Tovar (24); Gloria Hernandez, Beth Amour, Josefina Perez, Guadalupe Cardenas and Michael Maguire (23); Karen Ehrich, Veronica Lorenzano and Patricia Moreno (21); and the newest members, Catalina Ocampo, Manual Sanchez and Jessica Martinez (20).

How does Zengeler Cleaners maintain loyalty? “It starts by treating every employee with respect and as an individual,” relates Zengeler.

“We believe loyal, talented and happy employees are keys to our ability to deliver the quality and service our customers have come to expect,” he says.

Zengeler Cleaners recently introduced 33 employees who have worked at least 20 or more years at the historic family-owned company. These dedicated employees have combined for 1,018 total years of service. Here are some of the members of the cleaners’ 20 Year Club, pictured from left to right; with number of years in parentheses.Front row: Icela Chavez (28); Michael Zengeler (45); Catalina Ocampo (20); Patricia Moreno (21); Guadalupe Cardenas (23); Patricia Miller (25); Dolores Alcantar (31); Beth Amour (23); Jessica Martinez (20); Jose Gil (29); and, Veronica Lorenzano (23).Middle row: Hector Alvarado (31); Joan Nebel (38); Joanne Koutsovitis (45); Josefina Perez (23); Robert Zengeler, Sr. (73); Karen Ehrich (21) and, Robert Zengeler, Jr. (44).Back row: William Fisher (28); Alyce Kingsley (41); Castula Vergara (40); Enrique Tovar (24); Gloria Hernandez (23); Rosalba Perez (24); Dennis Ori (32); Fernanda Estela (35); Martin Levit (25); Nancy Brookman (33); Michael Maguire (23); and, Thomas Zengeler (41).Not pictured: Racheal Wiggins-Kolb (44); Claudia Galvez, (24); and Manual Sanchez (20). (Photo Zengeler Cleaners) 

Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].