With over 30 years experience working in the dry cleaning industry he has risen to the very highest level in the profession. Chris possesses the business knowledge for all aspects of the industry including developing and managing a physical plant, retail locations, and routes. He has an extensive knowledge of textile cleaning and finishing techniques and is recognized as an industry leader in operational systems, database management, staff development and team building. In 1995 Chris began work for Madame Paulette in New York City. He was the Project Manager for the development and building of their state of the art production facility. In 1997 he was recruited as Director of Operations, where he began to develop and implement some of the most advanced cleaning and garment care processes in the industry. Given access to some of the most prestigious fashion houses and entertainers in the world, Chris performed extensive garment testing, analysis, and developed the first ever touring division in the Drycleaning industry. While under his tenure as Operations Manager Madame Paulette was recognized by New York magazine in its annual 'Best of New York' issue four times and was awarded the 'Best of the Best' of the world in 2002 by the Robb Report. Chris has been instrumental in helping make America’s Best Cleaners into the leading institution on benchmarking quality in the dry cleaning industry. His responsibilities as the principle liaison with the suppliers and manufacturers lead into becoming responsible for developing all of the educational workshops and the accreditation criteria. Chris was Director of Business Development and Technical Director until January 2010 when he took the helm of Americas Best Cleaners as Executive Director.

Catherine McCann offers a wealth of leadership and organization management expertise gleaned from her more than 18 years with Fortune 500 company AT&T, where she served in a variety of executive roles, including Global Sales Operations Director and Global Sales CFO. Since she co-founded Best Cleaners in 2005, the company has grown under Catherine’s direction from its original three stores to eleven brick and mortar locations and been named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in 2011, 2012, and 2013. In addition, Catherine was named a “Woman to Watch” by the Business Review in 2010. Under Catherine’s guidance, Best Cleaners remains the only garment care provider in the Capital Region chosen to prestigious, national organizations like America’s Best Cleaners and the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. Best Cleaners was the first garment care provider in the Capital Region to be be certified by the Green Cleaners Council, and have been awarded top honors by All Over Albany.com and the Times Union Best of (9 years running), and many others. Best Cleaners maintains these honors via rigorous quality and service standards, remaining focused on the client, and creating an environmentally-friendly dry cleaning service. Prior to starting Best Cleaners, Catherine held a variety of sales and sales support positions with AT&T. including Director of Sales Operations for the North West Global Business Sales division of AT&T, which accounted for $400M in recurring annual revenue for the corporation; Global Sales Operations Director; and Global Sales CFO based in Washington DC, which provided $2B annually to the AT&T coffers.

Liz Davies has been involved in the drycleaning industry since she was 15 years old and was hired to work the front counter of Humphrey’s Cleaners in Vancouver, WA. She worked her way to equipment operator at 18 and eventually to plant owner at Market Place Cleaners. Since leaving Market Place, Liz has become one of the industry’s leading full-time consultants, working with owners and managers on everything from production and management through to overall quality and CSR training. In addition to being in high demand for her business skills, Liz has been a contracted equipment demonstrator for Unipress at various industry trade shows for over 20 years, widely recognized for her shirt pressing expertise. Liz has also presented educational seminars to owners and managers.

Josef began his career as a business coach in 2002 with EMyth, one of the creators of the industry in the late 70s. He has helped hundreds of business leaders navigate their challenges and grow. Josef wrote curriculum for EMyth and was later a senior manager there, before co-founding a ground-breaking new approach to business coaching: refound.com. Refound is the culmination of over 15 years of experience and a passionate desire to make the impossible possible. Josef lives on Maui, where complaining about the weather is an inside joke.

With and extensive background in advertising and marketing Tessamaria uses data and design to carefully position her clients in the online market. She believes social is a tool and when used to its full potential, brings brands closer to their customers. Passionate about technology, design, and all things social she brings a unique set of skills that elevate the affiliate brands she works with.

Katherine McGraw Patterson brings expertise and knowledge gained over 20 years' experience in marketing support for professional services firms. She first established an independent consulting service in Hong Kong in 1999, and after several years of success in the international market, Katherine returned to the U.S. in 2002, where she applied this critical experience in addressing the marketing needs of small businesses here in the U.S. As the Owner and Chief Marketing Strategist of Smart Fish Marketing, Katherine has helped ABC create the ABC Affiliate Marketing Program, designed to bring cutting-edge social media marketing, email and online marketing, and traditional marketing packages to the Affiliates of ABC.

Ed has been in the garment industry for over 45 years. Ed is best known for designing what American Drycleaner Magazine referred to as, “The Plant of the Future,” in their October 1994 cover story. At the time he was operating the largest drycleaners in Palm Beach County – servicing Palm Beach, Jupiter Island, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton. After being featured, Ed has completed over 100 designs projects, with several of them winning “Plant of the Year” awards by American Drycleaner. In addition to 3D designs for drycleaners, Ed has done residential and commercial property design as well as business valuations and acquisitions.

Ed D’Elicio owned and operated a few drycleaning plants one of them being the largest drycleaning plant in the State of Florida (14,000 sq ft) -- cover story of the October ’94 issue of the American Drycleaner magazine – The Plant of the Future. Ed was the first major drycleaning route operator in Palm Beach County primarily serving Palm Beach, Jupiter Island, Singer Island, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. He owned and operated one the largest tailor shops in South Florida with seven custom tailors. Ed has been an independent consultant since February 1995 having consulted to some of the largest independent drycleaners in the United States while operating dry cleaning management bureaus. Over the years Ed has conducted a series of seminars across the United States on various topics related to dry cleaning. Ed has also designed over 50 dry cleaning plants since 1999. Two examples are Jones Cleaning Centers, Fresno, CA (7500 Sq ft) which was awarded, ‘Plant Design of the Year Award for 2004’ as well as Rey’s Cleaners, Miami, FL (32000 sq ft) which received a Merit award nationally for central plant design in 2005. Ed has been on the forefront of computer integration and garment tracking systems, having integrated RFID technology and computerized conveyor systems into plant design. In addition to systems development, Ed is also involved in financial analysis, business valuations and route development for his clients. In 1999/2000, Ed founded America’s Best Cleaners (ABC). Ed was also instrumental in introducing Mainetti USA the world’s largest hanger company to the drycleaning industry and was on the forefront of introducing Liquid CO2 to the drycleaning industry as an environmentally friendly, stable, safe, gentle solvent. He also helped introduce Metalprogetti USA, based in Perugia, Italy, a high-tech conveyor company, to the US market. Michael's expertise in the dry cleaning industry expands into the equipment sales and distribution space. He is a certified Meile Technician, SystemK4 Deployment specialist, and has been a start-up and systems trainer for the King County and state of Washington wet cleaning grant program deploying the Kreussler/Miele Lanadol Wet Cleaning system. Sarah has a strong passion for fashion. Aside from owning and operating AAA Drive-In Cleaners, she also owns Geodesica Vintage Clothing, an online market for fun and funky vintage fashions spanning from the 1940s to the 1970s. As an art education major, Sarah has a keen eye for vintage fashions, leading to her profound knowledge and highly sought-after expertise in textile restorations.

Michael has extensive experience pertaining to all facets of the dry cleaning industry. From the boiler room to the board room, he has extensive knowledge and has held various leadership positions including General Manager of Blue Sky Cleaners and Owner/ Operator of National Drycleaners which he led for over 25 years. Specializing in high-end garment care, his strong attention to detail led him to focus primarily on bridal care. He currently owns Seattle Wedding Dress Specialist, Seattle's premier bridal gown service, which he operates with his two sons. Michael's expertise in the dry cleaning industry expands into the equipment sales and distribution space. He is a certified Meile Technician, SystemK4 Deployment specialist, and has been a start-up and systems trainer for the King County and state of Washington wet cleaning grant program deploying the Kreussler/Miele Lanadol Wet Cleaning system.

A third-generation dry cleaning owner, Sarah has spent most of her life in a dry cleaning shop. Her family has owned and operated AAA Drive-In Cleaners in Lake Charles, LA, for over 60 years. They have developed a strong presence in their community and have been recognized as the Best Cleaner in Lake Charles, LA, for over 20 years. Sarah has a strong passion for fashion. Aside from owning and operating AAA Drive-In Cleaners, she also owns Geodesica Vintage Clothing, an online market for fun and funky vintage fashions spanning from the 1940s to the 1970s. As an art education major, Sarah has a keen eye for vintage fashions, leading to her profound knowledge and highly sought-after expertise in textile restorations.