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Mission Linen Supply Names John Ross President and Chief Executive Officer
Santa Barbara, California – July 25, 2013, Mission Linen Supply, a leader in textile rental and buy direct programs, announced today that John Ross will become its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Ross is replacing Karl Willig, who will be remaining as Executive Vice Chairman of Mission’s board of directors.
Ross is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served for five years as a commissioned officer in the Army. Following the completion of his service, he earned an MBA degree from the University of California at Irvine and was employed for the next five years in positions of increasing responsibility with Cintas Corporation. While there, Ross had P&L responsibility for the 3rd largest field operation and managed more than 200 employees working in a range of departments and functions. He subsequently served as Senior Vice President of Swisher Hygiene, where he held several business development and operating roles most recently overseeing the North American field sales and service business for the company.
Prior to being named to the new role, Ross was Vice President Operations for Mission Linen Supply, with responsibility for leading the company’s operating plants and branches throughout the Western United States. Joining the company in December 2012, he quickly demonstrated the leadership skills and qualities necessary to guide the venerable 83 year old company. In speaking about Ross, Karl Willig had this to say about his successor: “John is as close to a perfect fit for leading Mission Linen as one could hope to find. His education, training and work experience have prepared him to lead this company aggressively into the future.”
“I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with the Mission team to strengthen and grow our company while continuing to provide outstanding products and services to our customers,” Ross said when asked about his goals for the company. In addition to his new responsibilities as President and CEO, Ross has also been named to the company’s board of directors.
In other management news, outgoing CEO Karl Willig was elected Executive Vice Chairman of Mission’s board of directors. Linda Page, the company’s Board Chairman, expressed her and the Board’s gratitude for Willig’s insightful and creative leadership during the past four years. “We are so pleased to have Karl continue his service to Mission Linen Supply as a member of the Board. Karl identified John Ross as a probable successor, and both he and the board have been pleased with John’s contribution and look forward to his continuing leadership.”
About Mission Linen Supply
Mission Linen Supply is a privately held company and a leading provider of rental products, services and supplies to hospitality, medical and industrial businesses. The company’s mission is to maximize profits and operating efficiencies for customers by offering them one-stop shopping for their linen and industrial needs.
Mission Linen Supply manages more than 40 plants and employs twenty-five hundred people in California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and Oregon. The company relies on technology and environmentally-minded vendor partners to conserve resources and reduce waste. Founded in 1930, Mission Linen Supply is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California and is located on the web at www.missionlinen.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION Mission Linen Supply Kim Garden, Marketing Director PHONE: (805) 730-3715 FAX: (805) 560-3589 EMAIL: kgarden@missionlinen.com