A Collective Voice Guiding Our Industry

Power Washers of North America Celebrates 25 Years

Published July 2017

 

Power Washers of North America (PWNA) was founded in 1992 to be a voice for power washing contractors. It is now a recognized leader in developing and communicating the highest standards in ethical business practices, environmental awareness, and safety through continuing education and the active representation of its membership of about 250. The non-profit organization operates out of its head office in St. Paul, MN, and includes power washers in all industry sectors, from aerospace cleaning to concrete cleaning, fleet washing, kitchen exhaust, wood restoration, and everything in between.

The association prides itself on the creation and implementation of what it has identified as ‘The Four Pillars of Industry,’ which include education, networking, conventions, and being a united voice for our industry. Members also impact local communities through a unique program called Clean Across North America.

“PWNA has also been a forerunner in industry certification programs,” explains former board member Charlie Arnold of Arnold Power Wash LLC in Lewes, DE. “I took the wood certification course many years ago. That class inspired me to increase my business and get more involved with the PWNA. It was in that class that I decided that one day I wanted to be one of the instructors teaching others how to grow their businesses, too.”

Not only did Arnold eventually teach, but he went on to help write the curriculum for several classes and rewrite the bylaws (along with others on the board of directors), and he recently wrote the first actual five-year business plan PWNA has ever had. He has served on several committees and was the secretary for many years. While it was a big commitment, it was volunteer effort that Arnold feels has significantly impacted his business in a positive way.

“My company would never have survived the economic downturn if it had not been for the things I learned from my peers at PWNA,” affirms Arnold.

PWNA Goals For 2017

According to PWNA’s current president Andy Reinsel, owner of A2Z Pressure Washing LLC/Fiber Clean in Bellevue, OH, one of the association’s major goals this year is to bring it up to date in this digital age by improving their website.

“With our new state-of-the-art website come changes to the way our education and certification tests are now taken,” explains Reinsel. “With most people having tablets and smartphones, future testing will be done in class online. This will allow the contractors to know immediately if they passed and will allow the instructors to review any areas that the contractors may be having problems with.”

In addition to general PWNA news and updates, the new website includes several enhanced features:

• An online member directory, which allows PWNA members to set up a full web page for their company;
• Online certification courses (for renewing certifications only);
• A full list of pre-negotiated member benefits, such as discounts through Powerwash.com, GCE/ Soap Warehouse, Postcardmania, Sunbelt Rentals, Sherwin Williams, Joseph D. Walters Agency, and more.

Reinsel credits and thanks board member Jim Pasternak (Northeast Power Washing, Marlborough, CT) for the countless hours he spent overseeing the development of the new website and new certification testing process. “This was no small project, and Jim grabbed the bull by the horns and made it happen!” exclaims Reinsel.

Another goal for 2017 is focusing on growing the membership and ensuring all members understand the benefits of belonging. Networking and meeting other professionals in our industry is invaluable, and they want all members to get the most of this opportunity.

“For challenges and opportunities,” adds Reinsel, “I personally think the biggest obstacle in 2017 is safety awareness and training for contractors and employees. With social media, for example, you see so many videos and photos of contractors not using proper personal protective equipment (PPE), especially relating to ladder safety and fall protection. Mishaps and accidents are reflected across the industry. The PWNA is working to implement safety training for all PWNA members to make themselves and their employees safer.”

A Member Testimonial

If you have ever questioned the benefits of belonging to an organization like the PWNA, Ty Eubanks encourages you to take a leap of faith and sign up! As the current PWNA secretary and owner of South Shore Building Services Inc. in Anaheim, CA, he credits much of his business success as a direct benefit of belonging.

“My company was established as a residential window cleaning business in 1979,” declares Eubanks. “My vision was to build a company based on unconditional customer satisfaction. Easier said than done! It was obvious to me early on that I would need a source of influence to expand my company and stay true to the value system that drove this growth objective.

“Years later, when South Shore committed to expanding our pressure washing division, seeking industry support was a foregone conclusion,” adds Eubanks. “I had learned that the cost of trial and error is an unnecessary expense. I attended my first PWNA convention, and it had an immediate impact on my ability to assess my options with confidence. During the convention, I gained important tools for building a legitimate and reputable pressure washing division. It takes just one nugget of a business idea to justify the cost of the annual membership and convention attendance. I continue to rely on my PWNA relationships and their wisdom to face my business challenges. The convention offers multiple resources to attendees and members to acquire valuable knowledge to reach your growth potential and specific business objectives.”

Mark Your Calendars! 2017 Events

October 12–14, Franklin, TN, is the host city for the annual PWNA Convention. In addition to a trade show and plenty of networking and social opportunities, educational highlights include certification programs for flatwork, house washing, roof cleaning, wood restoration, environmental compliance, fleet washing, and commercial building cleaning. Other non-certificate programs and courses include OSHA Training, Park-ing Garage Cleaning, and the ‘Taking Your Business into the Millions’ panel discussion, to name a few.

While the convention itself may be the highlight of the year for members, the annual ‘Skid Draw’ on October 14th is the highlight of the convention! (But you must be present to win.) This year, Pressure Pro has generously donated a 3000 psi, 5.5 gpm Model# 6115PRO-30VG Hot Water Skid valued at $13,174 as the grand prize giveaway. The skid features a belt-drive General Pump, 110v Beckett burner, and a 570cc Briggs and Stratton Vanguard Engine, all of which were donated by the component manufacturers. The skid also includes a 50-foot high pressure hose, gun and wand, nozzle kit, and battery.

PWNA is also pleased to have been invited to join the Cleaning Equipment Trade Association (CETA) for a joint summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 10 through 14, during CETA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show.

Since 1990, CETA has been the industry’s premier non-profit association for pressure washing equipment manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers. For the past several years, CETA has teamed up with the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) to share their massive trade show floor. PWNA members who attend the summit will have access to the trade show as well as CETA’s educational classes and ISSA’s major keynote presentations.

Additionally, on Monday, September 11, the PWNA will teach three certification classes: flatwork, house washing, and environmental cleaning. Each class will take place twice during the day to allow participants to attend two of the three classes.

The cost for PWNA members to attend CETA’s convention and gain two certifications is $500. The cost to attend without taking certification classes is $225. Attendees will also get the discounted membership rate of $250 (a $100 savings) when joining the PWNA in conjunction with this event.

Check out PWNA’s new website at www.PWNA.org. 

 

Board of Directors

• President: Andy Reinsel, A2Z Pressure Washing LLC/Fiber Clean, Bellevue, OH
• Vice President: Bo Josetti, All Clean Power Washing, Selbyville, DE
• Immediate Past President: John Nearon, Exterior Wood Restoration, Cicero, IN
• Treasurer: Daryl Mirza, Averus, Gurnee, IL
• Secretary: Ty Eubanks, South Shore Building Services Inc., Anaheim, CA
• Executive Director: Jackie Gavett, St. Paul, MN

Board Members

• Jim Pasternak, Northeast Power Washing, Marlborough, CT
• Matt Pierce, Pierce Property Services, Woburn, MA
• Paul Laramee, Exquisite Finishes, Warwick, RI
• Paul Horsley, President, Scotts Pressure Wash, Calgary, AB, CANADA
• Clint Reynolds, HydroTech Solutions, Lake Mary, FL
• Warren Harrison, Mr. Busy II Pressure Washing, Houma, LA