Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1370962
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION MAY 12, 2021 Page 7 Women Leaders of the PSAI…continued from page 6 Continued on page 8 Karen's husband, Dave Holm, worked with his father and in 1989, Karen and Dave started On Site Sanitation in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They began with 25 units and one vacuum truck, and together they worked to build their business base. Karen summarizes these early days of the 1990s as "long, with hard work, frustrations, and disappointments." The Holms overcame these challenges, and as time passed On Site grew not only in numbers but also in respect from the community. Karen's first attendance at a PSAI Convention and Trade Show was in Phoenix in 1992. Her perceptions of the PSAI because of that event are memorable: "I felt that this was the place, and these were the people that I could talk to and learn from. These were the people that understood and were more than willing to share their experiences and knowledge. These were the people that were proud of the portable sanitation industry and knew how incredibly important it is to the communities that they serve. These are the people that are never embarrassed about what they do." These are the words of a true professional who values the PSAI and our industry. With Karen as CEO, and Dave as president, the Holms grew On Site and opened several other locations over the years. The first was in Rochester, Minnesota some 80 miles from their location in Saint Paul. Several other locations in the Midwest followed. The Holm children, Russ and Molly, literally grew up in the industry. In 2002, Russ officially joined On Site and his sister Molly came on board in 2004. This represented the third generation of the Holm family working in the portable sanitation industry. Karen put as much involvement and dedication into her work with the PSAI as she did with her company. After joining the PSAI Board, she became only the second PSAI President in 2006 after Dorothy Sansom in 1989. As President, Karen worked to increase membership and involvement in the Association. On a personal note, I joined the Board in 2006 and Karen went out of her way to make me not only feel welcome but to show me what serving on the PSAI Board was all about. Karen Holm became my role model in the PSAI, and I continue her example even today. After an extraordinarily successful term of office, Karen rotated off the Board and went back to her business. For the next six years, Karen was an active member of the Past Presidents Council and continued to teach and to incorporate Russ and Molly into On Site. With grandchildren, Karen could begin to enjoy a quieter life. Then in April 2012, while I was serving as President, the Association needed Karen yet again. We were without an Executive Director, funds were almost non-existent, and the PSAI's future was unsure at best. I personally called on Karen to serve as Treasurer. The PSAI needed her to fill an unexpected vacancy that arose when John Simison was forced to resign due to a medical condition. Dave and Karen Holm at On Site Sanitation.