Meet the TCATA Board Members

Rusty Smith, President, CEO & Partner of Forenta of Morristown, TN, serves on the TCATA Board of Directors as President. Rusty started his career as a draftsman at Forenta fresh out of high school and worked for Forenta for 30 years in various capacities including product engineering, customer service, industrial engineering, purchasing and materials management. In addition to his MBA from East Tennessee State University, Rusty has a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Management, an Associates Degree in Industrial Engineering Technology, and an Associates Degree in Drafting & Design.

Rusty and Darlene Smith are the proud parents of three children, ages 28, 26, and 24, all married and living in Morristown. When asked what TCATA has meant to him and Forenta, Rusty said,"I knew from the warm welcome I received at my first conference in Colorado Springs that this was an association that would not only benefit Forenta, but benefit me personally. Since that first conference, the benefits have manifested themselves even greater than I originally thought. From product improvement ideas to new personal friendships; from new product opportunities to sharing pandemic concerns; from promotional opportunities to sharing laughs with competitors, TCATA has lived up to, and surpassed everything I expected it to be. Going forward, I hope my small contribution as a board member will help maintain the high standards we have come to know in this incredible association."

Jenna Johnson-Tishler is the fourth generation of her family in a leadership role at Chicago Dryer Company. She has been with Chicago for over 10 years, gaining an intimate knowledge of the laundry industry through her various roles. Her current position of Strategic Planning Officer is focused on hiring key management employees to transition to the next generation, as well as updating and refining internal processes and technology to ensure Chicago remains a global leader in the industry for years to come. Jenna serves on the TCATA Board of Directors as VP representing Machinery Manufacturers.

Canessa Hericks of FabriClean Suppy brings more than 25 years of textile care industry experience to her leadership role with TCATA. A longtime supporter of the association, she serves on the TCATA Board of Directors and Executive Committee as Vice President, representing Distributors.

Canessa joined FabriClean Supply in 2001 and currently serves as Chief Information Officer. In her role, she oversees the company’s technology and communication systems, along with human resources and internal audit functions.

Her involvement with TCATA extends well beyond her service on the Board. Canessa has been an active participant in the association for many years and, along with Trevor Hericks, previously served as co-chair of the Business Committee for TCATA’s Management & Educational Conference. She joined the TCATA Board in 2021 and has continued to take on greater leadership responsibilities within the association.

As Vice President representing Distributors, Canessa brings an important perspective to TCATA’s Executive Committee and is committed to ensuring the association continues to serve the evolving needs of its members.

Matt Lamons, President of Loomis Brothers Equipment grew up on a farm in a small town in Fulton, MO where his family raised cattle and horses. Matt is only the second person in his family to attend college. Matt received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Missouri and his master’s degree in business administration at Maryville University of St. Louis.

Matt joined Loomis Brothers in November 2007 as a vended laundry sales representative, eventually working his way to Sales Manager and President of the company. In January 2020, Matt and his wife purchased Loomis Brothers Equipment from her father becoming third generation family owners.

Matt serves on the TCATA Board of Directors as Treasurer. Matt shared, “TCATA has been more than just a trade association for me. It’s given me an opportunity to continue to learn, grow, and be involved in leadership within the laundry industry. The people I’ve met and the relationships I’ve gained have proven to be invaluable. I always look forward to the annual meeting when we can all get together and collaborate. I always leave with fresh, new ideas.”

Loomis Brothers Equipment, headquartered in Fenton, MO was started in 1949 and continues to thrive today. The company joined TCATA in 1967 and have been a member in good standing for over 60 years.

Wes Nelson, President of Sankosha USA, has spent more than three decades building relationships, supporting customers and helping advance innovation within the textile care industry. As President of Sankosha USA, he leads the company’s North American operations and has played an integral role in its growth from the very beginning.

Wes’s path to the industry is anything but typical. While living in Japan, he taught English to Sankosha founder Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi, who was working toward his vision of bringing Sankosha equipment to the North American market. What began as English lessons developed into a lasting professional relationship. Wes helped bridge language and cultural differences as Sankosha established relationships with U.S. dealers and, when Sankosha USA was formed in 1993, became the company’s first U.S. employee.

Over the years, Wes took on increasingly significant leadership roles, helping grow Sankosha’s sales, service and customer relationships throughout North America. He served as Vice President of Sales and Chief Operating Officer before being named President of Sankosha USA in 2018. His career has given him a unique perspective on the evolution of the textile care industry and the growing importance of technology, automation and strong partnerships.

That same commitment to relationships and industry service extends to Wes’s involvement with TCATA. He joined the Board of Directors in 2024 and has been an active contributor to the association’s leadership and conference programming. Wes served as Business Committee Chair for TCATA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Naples and as Conference Chair for the 2026 Annual Conference in Asheville and currently serves on the Executive Committee as VP representing Manufacturers.

Throughout his career, Wes has built his reputation on relationships, service and a genuine commitment to the textile care community. He brings that experience, along with a global perspective and more than 30 years of industry knowledge, to his service on the TCATA Board.

Ty Acton is the President of Tingue, a family owned and operated firm started in 1902. In 2016, after 33 years with Tingue, Ty was named successor to David M. Tingue as President of the Tingue division.

Ty grew up in the laundry industry, working alongside his father, Ty Acton Sr., who served as a Sales Representative and Regional Manager for Tingue for 34 years.

After graduating from Troy University in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Marketing, Ty took over a Tingue sales territory in Florida. In 1991 Ty became Tingue’s Southeast Regional Sales Manager and in 2006 was named the division’s National Sales Manager.

Ty and his wife Peggy reside in Birmingham. Their daughter Martha is a dentist in Birmingham, Alabama. Their son Cory lives in Los Angeles and is the West Regional Sales Manager for Tingue.

When asked what TCATA has meant to him, Ty stated, “Over the years, TCATA has been a terrific resource for Tingue and for me. TCATA has allowed me to network with laundry industries leaders and gain knowledge on a variety of issues. Many TCATA members are not only industry colleagues I rely on for information and advice, but have become wonderful friends”.

James Baker has been with The Minnesota Chemical Company since 2008, bringing nearly two decades of experience serving the textile care industry. Throughout his career with the company, he has worked in several areas of the business, including supply sales and vended laundry sales. Today, his primary focus is on equipment sales for on-premise and central laundry operations.

James works with a wide range of customers, including healthcare and hospitality laundries, central laundry operations, and dry cleaners. He takes a consultative approach to his work, focusing on listening to customers, understanding their unique needs, and helping them identify solutions that improve operations and prevent potential challenges.

James brings his broad industry experience and customer-focused perspective to his service on the TCATA Board of Directors.

Jeff Davis of Christeyns USA is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience working with the company in various roles. He served in the US Army for 8 year in the Corps of Engineers, which laid the foundation for his strong work ethic and leadership skills. Jeff transitioned into the dry cleaning industry, where he spent 6 years in dry cleaning chemical sales and 8 years managing multi-chain locations as a plant manager. Additionally, he has 8 years of experience in the commercial laundry industry, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his work at UNX-Christeyns.

Nathan Frerichs is President at American Trade Magazines (ATM). He joined ATM in 2010 as the Digital Editor. In short order he was named Digital Media Director and under that title oversaw all digital products for the company's three publications (American Coin-Op, American Drycleaner and American Laundry News). He has also launched multiple new properties for the company.

Nathan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism/mass communications from Columbia College-Chicago and he has worked as an advertising copywriter, reporter/editor, photographer, and web developer. In his spare time, Nathan enjoys traveling, hockey, and spending time with his wife and two children.

Ben Henke, current Owner and President of Intex Distributing Co., Inc. has been around the textile care industry almost from birth. In 1980, his father Gerald Henke started the laundry and dry-cleaning supply company after buying out his employer in Austin, TX. Ben spent summers working in the warehouse and going on occasional sales calls with his dad as he worked to grow the company.

After graduating from Texas A & M in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration/Accounting and a Master of Science Degree in Accounting, Ben accepted a position working in public accounting for Arthur Andersen's audit division in Dallas, TX. Following several years in that role, he was forced to look for other employment as Arthur Andersen ceased to exist as a result of fallout from the Enron debacle. Around that time, Ben accepted a role at Intex as a service technician where he has worked ever since. Ben and his wife Kim reside in Richardson, TX and have 3 children.

Jack Heaviside of Sunburst Chemicals in Bloomington, IL joined the TCATA Board in 2024. Jack began his career in the United States Air Force in 1985. Afterwards he focused his career in the energy sector with National Energy Services. His work took him around the world creating and managing engineering projects focused on sustainability.

After two decades in the chemical and laundry business Jack has published white papers, including his most recent on Biofilm in commercial laundries. With a focus on helping others succeed in their individual endeavors, including mentoring programs, he remains focused on developing the next generation of industry professionals. Jack resides in Tennessee with his wife April where they spend time on their farm with their four children and three grandchildren.

Mack Magnus of M & B Metal Products Company in Leeds, AL currently serves as President of M & B, a 4th generation family business run by family members all named Milton Malcolm Magnus. M & B joined TCATA in 1949. Mack was elected to the TCATA Board of Directors in 2018 and currently serves as  Ex-Officio of TCATA's Board of Directors. He was the conference chair for TCATA’s 100th anniversary conference celebrated in 2022.

When asked- What does TCATA membership bring to you and M & B? Mack replied, ”The opportunity to build relationships both with customers and fellow suppliers in the industry. The Annual Conference is a great opportunity to relax and have open conversations about the state of the industry and learn from each other different ways to solve common problems.”

Mack and his wife Stephanie have been married for 12 years. They have two children, Mils (Milton V) and Lucy. The Magnus family dog Lola is 11. When Mack is not spending time with his family, he enjoys golf.

Chip Ottman is the Owner and President of R.W. Martin Company, a long-standing provider of equipment, service, parts, and solutions to the commercial laundry, textile, healthcare, and industrial markets.

Growing up in a family business, Chip developed an entrepreneurial mindset at an early age, along with an appreciation for the dedication, relationships, and hard work required to build a successful organization. That entrepreneurial spirit eventually took him to Oklahoma, where he played an instrumental role in building and leading a galvanizing operation. He later returned to Ohio to be closer to family and continued his career in the industrial sector.

Chip joined R.W. Martin in 2005 as a Sales Specialist. Over the years, he worked closely with customers, manufacturers, and the R.W. Martin team to help grow the business while developing a strong understanding of the commercial laundry and textile industries. His leadership responsibilities continued to expand, ultimately leading to his acquisition of the company in 2021.

Today, Chip leads R.W. Martin with a focus on sustainable growth, continuous improvement, strong partnerships, and the company’s core purpose: To Be the Partner Our Customers Rely On.

R.W. Martin has been a proud TCATA member for many years, and Chip has a deep appreciation for the important role the association plays in bringing together manufacturers, distributors, and industry partners. He values the collaboration, shared knowledge, and strong relationships that help move the textile and linen industry forward.

As a member of the TCATA Board, Chip looks forward to contributing his perspective as a business owner, distributor, salesperson, and industry leader. He is excited to support the organization’s continued growth, strengthen member engagement, encourage the next generation of industry leaders, and help ensure TCATA continues to provide meaningful value to its members and the industry as a whole.

Justin Shamion, President of Colmac Industries joined the TCATA Board in 2024. Justin started at Colmac in 2006 as a Production and Service Manager. He then worked his way up to Sales and Marketing Manager and then Vice President before becoming President of Colmac in 2018. Justin said, "Colmac Industries has afforded me the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in a variety of positions." His journey began learning the intricate details of the daily operations at Colmac to eventually interacting with customers to find solutions using Colmac products. Justin consistently looks for ways for Colmac to grow and  evolve as the needs of the laundry industry change.

When he is not working or spending time with his wife and two children, Justin officiates college basketball games. He began officiating basketball in college and now officiates thirteen Division 1 conferences nationwide. Just also enjoys golfing, hunting, and other outdoor activities. 

Robb Vacek represents the fourth generation of Horwath Laundry Equipment based in Omaha, Nebraska. While working at the company during the summers in high school and college, Robb grew to appreciate the small family business culture. After graduating from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a finance degree, he joined the family business full time. He quickly modernized the business with leading-edge software and inventory tracking. He became co-owner of Horwath with his uncle, Jim in 2024. Horwath Laundry Equipment corporate headquarters is in Omaha, Nebraska with a second location in Rapid City, South Dakota. The company was founded by Robb's great grandfather, Andy, in 1919. The company is one of Milnor, Huebsch and Chicago Dryer's oldest distributors.

Kristen Vos is the Executive Vice President, Americas, for R.R. Street & Co. Inc. (Naperville, IL).  Kristen's connection to the fabric care industry started at a young age — her first “real” job, at age 16, was working in a drycleaning plant. Little did she know what the fabric care industry had in store for her.  In 1990 she joined Street’s as the Marketing Manager, her 2^nd job after graduating from Calvin University.  Her variety of roles over the years with Street’s have included marketing, product management, distributor communications/relationships, education, new product introductions, and more recently overseeing the company’s manufacturing operations. 

Kristen grew up in the Chicago suburbs and still lives there today.  She loves being a wife and a mom to three wonderful children, and a “Mimi” to one grandchild, with a second on the way. As a new member of the TCATA Board, she looks forward to bringing her industry experience to the association's work, and is happy to be a part of Street’s longstanding history with the TCATA organization.