Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1370962
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION MAY 12, 2021 Page 4 Women Leaders of the PSAI…continued from page 2 Continued on page 5 In 1956, Dick and Mary purchased a backhoe and started an excavating business. Mary worked in the office while Dick worked in the field, both interacting with their customers in a kind and humble way. In the late 1960s, the Macialeks began to build wooden portable restrooms for contractors in the area. Business grew, and with Mary's business skills they formed Center Penn Service where they worked until retirement. With Penn State University just to the south in State College Pennsylvania, countless events were held there throughout the years. Center Penn Service, under Mary's leadership, was always present to provide the necessary services. Mary and Dick Macialek were Charter Members of the PSAI (known as the PSA at that time). Mary served as a Board Member with both the PSAI as well as the Pennsylvania Sanitation Association. During the 1970s, the Macialeks started Rich Mac Systems, a company that manufactured slide-in vacuum pump tanks. Steve Finley, who worked with PolyPortables from 2000–2016, shared that there was a Rich Vac system at the PolyPortables plant during his entire tenure. He says, "The Rich Vac would service units that had been donated by PolyPortables for charitable events in the Dahlonega area. Once the event was over, this old reliable vacuum pump system would service the units, and then they were sold as used." Ever kind and humble, Mary was a longtime volunteer with Bellfonte Hospital and served as a leader for both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. After their retirement, the Macialeks moved to their farm on the Susquehanna River. We lost Mary on May 3, 2012 and Dick on December 26, 2018. "Kind and humble" is a phrase that was used several times in this remembrance. This characterization is attributed to Michael McCarthy of Mr John of Pittsburgh, Past President and Andy Gump Distinguished Service Award Recipient, who knew Mary and Dick. "Mary's contributions to the PSAI and to our industry were significant, but she always performed her service in a kind and humble way." Gladys Bird—Second Andy Gump Distinguished Service Award Recipient (with Husband) 2005 "Always smiling and always inspiring," is the characterization used in Gladys' remembrance tribute last month. Gladys was yet another of the amazing women of the PSAI. Born on July 30, 1930 in Norfolk, Virginia, she grew up in Towson, Maryland and graduated from Towson High School in 1949. As those of us who knew her, we can only imagine that she would have been voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by her classmates. Gladys married Ron Bird on November 19,1983 and this wonderful partnership extended beyond total love and devotion to entrepreneurship and success. Along their journey together and always committed to helping others, Gladys founded a homeless shelter in Indianapolis in 1984. Mary Macialek at a PSAI board meeting. Gladys Bird