VERO BEACH — Sunshine Laundries announces the appointment of their President, Tom Rhodes, to the Board of Directors of the National Coin Laundry Association for a two year term.
The organization is a not- for-profit trade association dedicated to the education and enhancement of businesses engaged in the operation of coin laundries.
Sunshine Laundries operates eight locations throughout the Treasure Coast of Florida. Tom Rhodes, II, is a 2nd generation laundromat owner. He entered the laundromat business in 1996 and expanded his parents’ existing laundromat chain from 6 stores to 8 stores.
Considered a vanguard in the industry, his stores are known to embrace the newest technology available for washers and cash acceptance. Several of Sunshine’s laundromats on the Treasure Coast are cashless and accept credit cards.
Sunshine Laundries has laundromats in Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and Okeechobee.
“The strong business ethics and service commitment come from a long history of family experience and history in the coin laundry business. We continually look for new ways to establish rapport with our client base.
We endeavor to make our customers feel comfortable and safe at our centers. We try to offer the same home-away-from-home relationship a person will have with their favorite restaurant,” Mr. Rhodes explained.
Sunshine has implemented ongoing promotions with prizes and comprehensive internet communications with their client base to continue to develop top-of-mind awareness amongst the company’s client base.
Mr. Rhodes will share his concepts and glean other new ideas from fellow association members. This sharing of successful concepts elevates coin laundry operations for all members.
Rhodes has a long history of service to the industry. He served as President of the Florida Coin Laundry Association from 2005-2008 and Treasurer from 2008 to the present. He won the CLA’s prestigious Leadership Award for being the best state affiliate in the nation in 2008, and also served as guest speaker at the industry’s Clean Show in Las Vegas last year for his marketing efforts.
Rhodes also has a strong commitment to community service. He identified a need and stepped in to improve the lives of our area’s homeless.
Sunshine Laundries has donated over $5,000 in laundry services to needy families and the area homeless over the past two years. Rhodes selected this philanthropic effort after learning of the unmet needs of our most impoverished residents.
“It is our hope we can assist needy families and homeless with the improvement of their circumstances. Many are seeking gainful employment, and the first step to a successful interview is a clean, tidy appearance,” said Mr. Rhodes.
“I have met many of the individuals, and they are grateful for the opportunity to feel better about themselves and their future,” Rhodes added.
Rhodes’ position on this board will enable him to better share his innovations in the areas of promotion and community service with other coin laundry operators. His term will run through January 1, 2014.
