Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1351540
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION MARCH 17, 2021 Page 11 Industry Pioneers: Ed Cooper, George Harding, and PolyJohn…continued from page 10 Ed Cooper passed away on October 29, 2007. His son Mike became CEO and President, and his son Ken became Vice-President. In 2015, Ed's grandsons Sam and Gus joined PolyJohn, making this a third-generation family-owned business today. In 2021, PolyJohn remains a well-respected, worldwide manufacturer of portable restrooms and related products. It is a staunch supporter of the PSAI and contributes to the Association in many ways. Final Thoughts This is the second in a series of articles in which the pioneers of the portable sanitation industry are profiled. These early, hard-working individuals had a common goal—to improve public health through the creation of portable sanitation. The contributions of these pioneers were vital to the success of our industry as well as to our own PSAI. As Barry Gump wrote when he nominated Ed Cooper for the "Andy Gump Award," Ed's "determination, dedication, inventiveness, leadership, and loyalty to the portable sanitation industry are to be commended.…He always conducts business and personal relationships with fairness and integrity." Thanks to George Harding's design and Ed Cooper's visionary leadership, the company we know as PolyJohn has made an indelible impact on the portable sanitation industry. From working on the back of a garbage truck, to owning that company, to purchasing a small portable restroom company, to eventually establishing a worldwide portable restroom manufacturing company, Ed Cooper always remained true to his tag line… "We're there when you need us." Personal Note and Thank You I had the pleasure of visiting with Ed Cooper at several Pumper Shows throughout the early years of our business. I found him to be very friendly, engaging, and helpful, especially to new operators like me. A special thanks to the PolyJohn Team—Danny Schaver, Mike Adams, Sam Cooper, and Mike Cooper—for all their assistance and support. v SPECIAL REQUEST: As this series of articles continues in our 50th Anniversary Year and the update of "PSAI Through the Decades" is composed, I (Jeff Wigley) would appreciate any and all: • articles, • stories, • remembrances, or • other information that you could share. Please help the PSAI preserve and publish the amazing history of our industry and our association. To share, please contact me by email or by cell phone at 770-206-0794. THANK YOU! Ed with Margaret Keech, former GM at PolyJohn Canada. Ed having fun like the sociable person he was.