The National Pavement Maintenance Leadership Academy graduated its first class of 17 in Stone Mountain, GA on November 6, 2019. The Leadership Academy is designed to help leaders in the pavement industry succeed through effective management training. Demands in our industry are constantly changing and the Leadership Academy provides essential tools to ensure success. The classes cover the essentials of becoming an effective leader; such as effective communication, fundamentals of leadership, conflict management, problem solving, motivating and accountability. Led by nationally recognized executive coach John Lankford of Premier Executive Forums, the Leadership Academy is a first-class program.

This leadership training is instrumental not only for yourself, as owners, but for key personnel in your organization. A second class is scheduled to kick off in April of 2020 and already has 26 students enrolled. “We feel providing a program like this offers our Partners an avenue of growth from within their company” says Ben Steyer, Executive Director of 1-800-SWEEPER. “The feedback we have received from the participants of the inaugural class has been very positive and motivating. Participants’ testimonials describe ways in which NPMLA leadership training has changed them professionally and also personally, which is priceless.”

Like in 2019, the Leadership Academy once again has the support of 1-800-SWEEPER vendor partners. United Rotary Brush will once again be the Gold Sponsor of the program and Schwarze Industries the Silver Sponsor. Both sponsors will also be sending participants to the NPMLA class this year. United Rotary Brush says “United Rotary Brush is excited to support the 1-800-SWEEPER Leadership Academy (NPMLA). We believe continued education and support of leadership programs is essential for the ongoing growth of the overall industry. As we continue to see business growth in the sweeping industry and companies that are passed on from generation to generation, it is essential to those succession plans to have well established and trained leaders to expand the industry. As a national network supporting and growing within the industry, 1-800-SWEEPER is a brand focused on the success of their partners and we believe supporting that endeavor for the leaders of tomorrow is crucial to industry success.”

David Heigl, VP of Sales & Marketing for Schwarze Industries states, “ Great leadership is the foundation of a successful business. That’s why Schwarze sponsors the National Pavement Maintenance Leadership Academy. John Lankford’s curriculum trains leaders to set expectations and hold employees accountable. The result is greater performance and profitability. In the end, Schwarze grows as our customers grow.”

Pictured left to right: Dustin Moist-Cantel Sweeping, Rhys Blackerby – Lexington Pavement Maintenance, Sam Chamberlain-Ecosweeping, Luis Alanis-Mister Sweeper, Lisa Glugola-Agua Trucks, Mike Edwards-Contract Sweepers, Stephanie Andrews-W MI Sweepers, Mary Ellen McCaskill-Accusweep, Julie Kowalski-Trainer, Isaac Mahone-Progressive Sweeping, John Lankford- Trainer, Terry Thompson-Clean Sweep, Delane Qualls-Clean Sweep, Matt Bawks-CVS, Hayden Miller-Pacific Sweeping, Jamus Lapcynzski-Progressive Sweeping, Kara Moore-Jacketta Sweeping, Lois Mueller-Katsam