Meet the TCATA Board Members
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 President 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.
Kelly Kelleher is President of Kelleher Casares Equipment in Downey, CA which specializes in designing and building dry-cleaning plants as well as the sales of dry cleaning and laundry equipment. Kelly was elected to the TCATA Board of Directors in 2018 and currently serves as Vice President representing machinery distributors on the Executive Board.
When asked- What does TCATA membership bring to you and Kelleher Casares Equipment? Kelly replied, ”The networking that TCATA provides has absolutely helped my business relationships. Without the introduction of people I have met through TCATA, I would not have otherwise had the opportunity to build business relationships with these people.”
Kelly and her husband Robert have three adult children and one grandchild. When Kelly is not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys playing tennis.
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.
Rusty Smith, President, CEO & Partner of Forenta of Morristown, TN, serves on the TCATA Board of Directors as VP. 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."
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 nearly 55 years.
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 Tampa, FL. 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”.
Terry Hammond serves as the Senior Vice President at UNX-Christeyns, bringing a wealth of experience in strategic sales segmentation, territory design, and sales processes. Terry has been instrumental in driving forward-thinking projects and organizational changes that have led to increased sales and efficiency across the business development lifecycle. Terry is recognized for his ability to build strong client relationships and promote brand awareness. His expertise in partnering with stakeholders to address sales initiatives, challenges, and opportunities has made him a key player in the industry.
Elected to the TCATA Board of Directors in 2024, Terry is enthusiastic about contributing to the association's mission of representing and growing manufacturers and distributors in the textile care industry. When asked- What does TCATA bring to you and UNX-Christeyns, Terry replied, "TCATA membership offers unparalleled opportunities for networking and relationship building within the industry. The Annual Conference provides a relaxed environment where we can have open conversations about industry trends and challenges. This has not only strengthened our business relationships but also provided valuable insights and solutions. TCATA's platform has been instrumental in helping UNX-Christeyns grow and innovate, allowing us to connect with peers, share knowledge, and continuously improve our operations."
Outside of his professional life, Terry holds black belts in both Shaolin Kempo Karate and Taekwondo. His dedication to discipline and personal growth is evident both professionally and personally.
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 another employer as Arthur Andersen ceased to exist as result of the fallout from the Enron debacle. Around that time, he 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 kids, Coleman, Campbell, and Weston.
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.
John Silverman, President of Tschopp Supply Company of Buffalo, NY, serves as Ex Officio. John began his career at Tschopp in 1989. By 1999, John became Corporate Vice President and General Manager. In 2005, James Tschopp retired, and John Silverman assumed the role of Corporate President. When asked what being a member of TCATA has brought to Tschopp Supply, John said, "The relationships and connections I've made through TCATA have helped Tschopp Supply grow as a company." When he isn't spending time with his wife and two sons, John enjoys golfing and bird hunting.
C
harlie Thompson of American Trade Magazine comes from a family of journalists. His grandfather was the editor of his hometown newspaper, and his father became the general manager of that same newspaper. Charlie’s sister, Charlotte, was a founding staff writer for New York Magazine and helped in the creation of Ms. Magazine.
Charlie joined American Trade Magazines, based in Chicago, in 1989 as Midwestern sales manager. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming publisher in 1998. In 2011, he purchased American Trade Magazines from Crain Communications. American Trade Magazines publishes American Coin-Op, American Drycleaner and American Laundry News.
American Trade Magazines has been a member of TCATA since 1938 and celebrated its 75th anniversary with TCATA in 2013. Over the years, Charlie has served as conference chair, business program chair and Young Timers chair at TCATA’s Annual Conferences. He’s also served several terms on TCATA’s Board of Directors.
“TCATA has allowed me to build relationships in all of the areas my magazines serve – commercial laundry, coin laundry and dry cleaning. Getting to know the key people in each of these industries during the Annual Conference is invaluable. Every conference I learn something new and gain new insight into these industries, as well as make a new friend or two!”
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.
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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.
Additional Board Members-
Canessa Hericks, FabriClean Supply
Wes Nelson, Sankosha USA
