Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1370962
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION MAY 12, 2021 Page 5 Women Leaders of the PSAI…continued from page 4 In 1988, Gladys and Ron founded Ameri-Can Engineering in Argos, Indiana to produce a revolutionary new product in our industry, the restroom trailer. Four years earlier, in 1984 PolyJohn had developed the first restroom trailer, the Crowd Pleaser. The Birds took ownership of this product line when PolyJohn elected to spin off the business unit and to concentrate on their new burgeoning line of innovative plastic portable restrooms. Always a team, Gladys and Ron, worked hard to innovate, to expand and to promote the industry-changing restroom trailer. Gladys' positive attitude and caring personality was an inspiration to the entire company as their operation grew and new employees came on board. She was an ambassador for Ameri-Can and enthusiastically attended industry trade shows and conventions to assist portable restroom operators into entering this new and exciting marketplace. Soon the product line expanded to a wide variety of styles and types of trailers, and with Gladys' innovative and creative mind, shower trailers and even laundry trailers eventually emerged. Unquestionably, Gladys and Ron were leaders in setting the standards for restroom trailers that carry forth to today. Never one to concentrate only on herself and her company, Gladys became actively involved in the PSAI and served on several committees. She further dedicated her time and commitment by serving on the PSAI Board of Directors from 1998 to 2002. Their many years of support for the PSAI did not go unnoticed. In 2005, Gladys and Ron Bird were jointly awarded the prestigious Andy Gump Distinguished Service Award. That same year, Gladys and Ron retired, and son David Harling took over at Ameri-Can. The couple then split their time between summers at Lake Manitou in Rochester, Indiana and winters in Cocoa Beach, Florida. In 2018, the family and their entire company celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Ameri-Can. On April 4, 2021, our industry and our Association lost a dear, dear friend when Gladys passed away. On a personal note, Gladys Bird was always an inspiration to me as an example of a person who can be just as nice, kind, and inspirational in business as in their personal life. I always felt a special closeness to Gladys, and she sometimes referred to me as "one of her Eagle Scouts." Being in the same company with husband, Ron, and son, David, was both flattering and humbling. Tammy Thompson-Oreskovic—Third PSAI Female President 2007– 2008 Tammy Thompson-Oreskovic was the third female PSAI President, immediately following President Karen Holm (more on Karen's leadership coming up). Tammy is dynamic, hard working, and has incredibly effective marketing skills. Her story should serve as an inspiration to others as they contemplate starting a new business or, equally challenging, re-inventing an existing company. Having earned a commercial art degree in college, Tammy began her career in graphic arts. In 1992, however, Tammy and her husband, Pat, bought Arnold's Septic Service in Saukville, Wisconsin. Tammy Thompson-Oreskovic Continued on page 6