CETA Award Winners of 2024

by Diane M. Calabrese |Published December 2024

Professional engagement, collaboration, and collegiality keep the Cleaning Equipment Tade Association (CETA) strong. Members achieve, innovate, and grow their businesses. They also become integral parts of the communities they serve.

Each year CETA recognizes the contributions of selected members by giving awards for lifetime achievement, distinguished service, and community service. And the organization confers lifetime memberships to recognize those who have long served the association.

Here we highlight contributions by the 2024 award winners. Each recipient reflects the vigor and commitment that binds together the members of CETA.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD NICK BRABER

“It was an honor to be able to nominate my father, Nick Braber,” says Curtis Braber, owner of BE Power Equipment headquartered in Abbottsford, BC. “Since 1991 Nick [Braber] has been a pivotal figure in pressure washer manufacturing.”

Curtis Braber explains that the original goal of his company was to manufacture equipment to sell to dealers in the Pacific Northwest. The company has now grown to become one of the largest power washer equipment manufacturers in North America.

Nick Braber put in place the foundation that made growth possible.

“One of his biggest successes was building a quality management team that he has entrusted the business to,” explains Curtis Braber, adding that “his father’s passion for high quality and reliable, fast delivery” have bolstered the success.

David Megathlin, vice president, USA Companies of BE Power Equipment, joined in the nomination of Nick Braber. He says that the award winner couples amazing accomplishments with admirable qualities as a person.

“If Nick gives you his word, there is no doubt he will deliver,” says Megathlin. “Trust is what he has built upon.”

And Nick Braber’s “passion for the pressure washer industry is contagious,” says Megathlin. “He works tirelessly to come up with innovative products at an affordable price.”

For his part, Nick Braber—like all his fellow awardees—reminds us that the award to him extends to many others as well. “Like any good leader, I could not do this alone. I was fortunate to have a strong leadership team

that helped build our business from a small startup in 1991 to a global manufacturer in six countries.”

Nick Braber explains that as he takes his leave from the industry, he is proud that the original leadership team is still in place, a team that will carry his company into the future. “Receiving this award is an incredible honor and a moment of deep gratitude for me.”

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD — MYLAN WILLIAMS

“Four decades ago Mylan Williams began working for his father, Ronald Williams, right out of high school,” says Scott Hansen, president of Alkota Cleaning Systems Inc. in Alcester, SD. “Mylan became the owner of Hy-Flo Equipment in 2017 and is proud to work with his two sons.”

Hansen nominated Williams for the award. He notes Williams’ company has been a “proud and loyal distributor” for his own company for more than 45 years as well as being a “top ten” distributor for decades. Throughout, Willams has been an integral member and contributor to his Pittsburg, Kansas, community.

“It is such an honor to receive the award,” says Williams. “It is a recognition I never expected to receive, and I don’t feel deserving of it. However, I will accept it on behalf of my late father.”

Williams notes the sustained effort that his father made to create the company—an effort that began 47 years ago—deserves recognition. “It has been a family business, and I have been proud to be part of it. It is a heritage I intend to pass on to my two sons.”

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD — PAUL MIDDLECOOP

Abbey Manos, a team member at 3R Sales & Service in Barberton, OH, nominated the owner of the company, Paul Middlecoop. “To put it simply, he is selfless,” she explains.

“It doesn’t matter how many things he has going on in his life, he will always make time for the people who need him, and he will do it happily,” says Manos. “He has a saying I’ve heard thousands of times: It’s not ‘I can’t,’ it’s ‘How can I?’”

Middlecoop’s willingness to donate time and funds to a good cause, or to serve a board where he can make a difference or help, is second nature to him, says Manos. As an example, she cites a local approval and building project for a family-oriented organization with which he assisted, giving “a significant amount of time, funds, and resources” across several years.

“I am honored to receive the award,” says Middlecoop. “To be recognized in our industry for a charitable contribution to your community is very humbling to me. It also allows me to share my story with other successful peers and business owners.”

Middlecoop explains that he is happy to encourage industry colleagues as they get involved in community efforts. “My hope is to plant a seed in their hearts and minds in making their communities a better place as well.”

Indeed, Middlecoop says that “many of us have been blessed with the time, talents, and resources which can be used to help others.” As such, he hopes others will seize the opportunity to do more whenever possible.

A note of thanks to CETA, which Middlecoop gives us, expresses a sentiment shared by fellow awardees: He appreciates the way the association has enabled him to become the “best businessperson” and “the best cheerful giver” he can be.

LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AWARDS — AL AND JANET BONIFAS AND TIM AND KAREN LAYDEN

So broad and deep are the contributions of some members of CETA that each year the association holds open the option of awarding lifetime membership to them. From the point of the award date forward, the recipients receive complimentary membership.

Tim and Karen Layden (founders of High PSI Ltd. in the Chicago area) have been part of the association since its inception. He was president of American Pressure Washer Distributors (APD) and represented distributors when CETA formed.

“We have been supporters of CETA since then,” says Tim Layden on behalf of himself and Karen Layden. “We enjoyed working in the cleaning industry and all the great people we have met. Since we have been involved with power washers most of our life, I am honored” to receive the membership.

Also honored to receive a lifetime membership are Al and Janet Bonifas (founders of All Spray Ltd. in Swanton, OH). “It is a great honor, and we are humbled to receive this award,” says Al Bonifas. “It means a lot to be recognized by our peers.”

Encapsulated in the recognition of a lifetime membership and each of the annual awards is the essence of CETA, which offers professional context and something more. Al Bonifas sums up the something more:

Encapsulated in the recognition of a lifetime membership and each of the annual awards is the essence of CETA, which offers professional context and something more. Al Bonifas sums up the something more:

“My wife and I have developed many wonderful relationships with people in the industry, and we love the many great memories we have from over the years,” says Bonifas. “CETA and the people in it have also been instrumental in the development of our business, and we will be forever grateful. Hopefully this award will help us to give back to the industry that has provided so much to us.”