|
Tom Austin, CEO:
Tom has served as CEO since purchasing the Linen Service Division from Universal Uniforms, Inc. in 2002. He is responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction, maintaining the financial strength, developing the leadership Team, Human Resource oversight, Marketing and Acquisitions. He has lead the company in acquiring new business and building relationships with existing customers through consistent and friendly service. Under his leadership, Universal has purchased their largest competitor, acquired all the land and property, and built a new state of the art laundry facility that opened in 2008.
Tom led the company rebranded effort with focus and tag on “Every Piece Counts” to redefine our perception and commitment to our team members, our customers, and our community. Recently, the green movement is defining the company as one of the largest recyclers in the community. His focus is maintaining a safe, clean, work environment for our team members.
Tom graduated from Denison University in 1989 with a B.S. in Geology. He remains active as a member of the Young Presidents Organization serving in a leadership capacity at the local, regional and international level and recently elected to the International Board of Directors. He also serves as a Director and on the Executive Committee for Eclipse Bank in Louisville, a Board Member of the American Red Cross, Louisville Chapter, and on the Board of the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District.
Don Dimmitt, President:
Don joined the family business, Spalding’s, in 1976 and came to Universal Uniforms in January of 1980. He has served as president since 2008 with primary focus on sales & service functions. Prior to 2008 Don held the position of general manager. Don also served as president of Universal Denim Service from 1990 – 1994.
Don oversaw the building of Universal’s first two laundry plants in 1980 and 1988 and worked with Tom Austin to open their newest laundry in 2007.
Don attended Indiana University before entering the industrial laundry field and completed the Effective Executive Program in 1990 through The University of Louisville’s School of Business. He is a past president of the New Albany, Indiana Rotary Club and later served as an assistant district governor.
Kurt Rutkowski, Vice President:
Kurt Rutkowski joined Universal in April of 2007 as the Corporate Sales Manager. Since Joining Universal Kurt was promoted to Vice President and has served in a leadership role in all operating areas of our company. Kurt currently oversees the operations departments focused on a clean, safe and organized facility. Kurt’s main goal is continuous improvement in all aspects of our business.
Kurt has a Culinary Arts Degree from Johnson County Community College in Overland Park Kansas. Kurt was an executive chef for many restaurants throughout the United States in addition owned his own restaurant. In 1994, Kurt moved into foodservice sales and distribution and to this day Kurt continues to work closely with the foodservice community.
Kurt serves on the board for the Louisville Chapter of the Kentucky Restaurant Association, The State board for the Kentucky Restaurant Association, The Louisville Independent Business Alliance and Netsurfer’s Futbol Club. Kurt chairs committees for The Taste of Louisville, Crafted in Kentuckiana Beer Festival.
Robyn Wigginton, Office Manager/Controller:
Robyn Wigginton started with Universal Uniforms in 1989 as the Executive Assistant to the owner, Bill Tate. Robyn supported the entire Universal staff for 14 years as well as managing the marketing and telecommunication efforts. In 2002, when Tom Austin purchased the Linen Division from Bill Tate, Robyn joined Tom as the office manager. Robyn has worked for the family for 22 years, and continues to serve as office manager/controller, purchasing agent, lead on technological projects and assistant to Tom.
Robyn graduated from Louisville College of Medical Careers and worked for Baptist Healthcare Organization as a medical assistant and administrative assistant before joining Universal. She is currently attending Sullivan working towards her accounting degree.
Shannon Carnes-Daniel, Corporate Sales Manager:
Shannon’s focus at Universal is managing the Territory Sales Representatives in their respective territories and supporting new business development. Shannon has 10 years of restaurant & hospitality sales experience with a focus in linens and uniforms. She also has extensive knowledge of the food and restaurant industry having spent time as a Customer Development Specialist at a major broadline food distributor, aiding restaurants in food trends and offering menu ideas and assistance with food sales percentages and menu building techniques.
Shannon has always had a passion for the food and restaurant industry, specifically for the independent restaurateurs in the Louisville metro area. She has wonderful working relationships with many of the restaurants, caterers, & hotel owners.
She is an active member of the Kentucky Restaurant Association. She is also presently a co-chair on the restaurant recruiting committee for the “original” Taste of Louisville. She is a current member of the Louisville East & Middletown Chamber of Commerce as well as the Greater Louisville Hotel and Lodging Association. She has also formerly served as an Ambassador for the Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Shannon attended college at Sullivan University with a concentration in Business Management. She also enjoys volunteering with a variety of community organizations and is active in her church. She now resides in Southern Indiana with her husband, 2 children and 2 step children.
Mary Rone, Human Resources Manager:
Mary joined the Universal team in 2002 as Human Resource Manager. She now has over 15 years of Human Resource Experience. Mary manages all aspects of the human resource area including safety, payroll, benefits, worker’s compensation, recruiting, hiring, training and policy creation. Her customers are both the team members and management as she strives to create a fair and equitable environment while working towards excellence in the workplace. Mary is a member of SHRM.
Mary attended Butler University for two years and is currently preparing for the SPHR exam.
Dennis Taylor, Route Manager:
Dennis Taylor Started with Universal Uniforms in 2001 as a route driver in the Louisville and Southern Indiana area. Dennis was promoted to Route Manager and is responsible for the logistics of all our Louisville/So. Indiana routes.
Doug Ramsey, Customer Service Manager:
Doug has over 40 years experience in the linen industry, and is our customer service manager. Starting fresh out of school as a route salesman he has held many different positions including service supervisor, service manager, inventory control manager, production supervisor and general manager for both linen and uniform divisions.
Doug’s job focus now is customer service for both new and existing customers, working with them to design linen programs that meet their needs. Doug works directly with the route salesmen, sales team, supervisors and production team too provide feedback directly from our customers. Doug strives to relay the customer’s voice to the company as Universal works towards providing excellent customer service.
Karen Hill, Customer Relations Manager:
Karen Hill has been a part of the team at Universal since July of 2003. Karen stared in the linen industry with Spalding’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service in December of 1988 giving her 22 years of experience in this industry. Although Karen has worked many positions her primary focus over the past 16 years has been in customer service.
Karen is in contact daily with our customers and provides vital information to our Management, Production and Sales teams. Because of her experience she does a variety of task daily such as being the first responder on the phone, to data entry and scheduling all new installs and working closely with our sales staff, to generating artwork and order all customer logo mats and garments, to setting up customers on our on-line ordering system, and communicating customer needs to our productions staff.
Karen works hard daily aside Doug Ramsey and the team at Universal to provide the highest level of customer service possible to our customers as we strive for excellence daily.
Karen Hill is a graduate for DuPont Manual High School and has an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Sullivan University. |
