Planet Laundry Nov 2020

COVER STORY Edited by Bob Nieman

Saluting Just a Few of the Many Military Veterans Who Continue to Serve… Now as Part of the Laundry Industry The Heroes Among Us

Iraq. In addition, I was awarded two Aerial Achievement Medals for Sustained Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial flight during combat operations over Iraq.

On the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or truce, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany, ending the First WorldWar. Commemorated as Armistice Day, November 11 was declared a legal U.S. holiday in 1938. Then, followingWorldWar II and the KoreanWar, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day – a day dedicated to all American veterans. This month, as we observe this important holiday and thank all of those who have served and sacrificed to protect our freedoms, we want to recognize the many veterans whose post-military paths have led them to the laundromat industry. Below is just a handful of themilitary veterans whose past armed forces training and experiences continue to benefit us all. ERICMEYERS Stay & Play Laundromat, Inc. – Westfield, Mass. Military branch: U.S. Air Force, USAF Air National Guard Years of service: 1985-2011

Rank upon discharge: Lieutenant Colonel Years in the laundry industry: 13 years

After your service, what inspired you to get into the laundry business? While still in the Air National Guard, I began flying for AMR Corp., which is the parent corporation for American and American Eagle Airlines. I soon realized I had very little control over my life, especially after all of the airline bankruptcies. I started looking for investment strategies and spending a lot of time improving my financial literacy. I needed to make changes in how I thought and invested for my family. I came across the classic book“Rich Dad, Poor Dad,”by Robert Kiyosaki. The rest was history. My wife, Julianna, and I started acquiring commercial retail properties and developing them into state-of-the-art laundromat facilities. They have incredible cash flow predictability and a low labor component. Hence, they have proven to be a very strong investment for us. I’m also a sales consultant for Yankee Equipment Systems. What skills did you learn in themilitary that helped prepare you for success in the business world, as well as in life? As a senior officer and fighter pilot, I’ve had years of some of best leadership training and mentoring one could ever hope to have. Over the years of facing so many various challenges throughout my military career, I learned quickly how to compartmentalize, control my emotions and make a decision. When I was being mentored as a young officer, I was taught that true leaders earn respect, never demand it – they inspire

Career path while in the military: In addition to earning degrees in aircraft maintenance technology and industrial engineering, I logged more than 2,200 hours of time in the A-10 fighter jet, with more than 1,100 sorties. I also have 75 hours of combat time in the A-10 and was awarded the USAF Air Medal for sustained aerial combat over

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