Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1385567
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION JUNE 23, 2021 Page 8 Ray Luden, Sr. had found his "dream job" and he began to grow his company based on top-notch service and an excellent rapport with his customers. In 1983, at the PSA Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, Ray, Sr. and his company, Farnham Sanitation Systems, joined the Association. Over time, this became a pivotal event in our history. During this time, Ray Luden, Jr. was working with his dad and learning all that he could about not only a variety of jobs but also the common denominator of good customer service. Ray, Jr. began working with his dad's paving crew when he was just 11 years old! Farnham Sanitation used fiberglass units due to its association with Sani-Service. Frank Ranson was also the President of Phil Carter Manufacturing which produced fiberglass units and both he and his partner, Warren Spivey, had connections with Virginia Fiberglass, another manufacturer in the immediate area. Ray, Jr. explains that, "Fiberglass units worked out incredibly well for Dad's company since he had experience working with fiberglass boat repair. Our units were always in good condition thanks to Dad's expertise in this area." Ray, Jr. officially joined the company after graduation and almost immediately he began to demonstrate his creative skills and marketing ability. Using the ace of spades playing card as a symbol, Ray, Jr. came up with the phrase "Bring the Ace to Your Place." This playing card was used in Yellow Page advertising as well as all customer communication including invoices and contracts. "Soon this became our trademark, and it was easily recognized in our area," Ray, Jr. explains. It was not "all work and no play" for this father and son. Ray, Jr. shares that he and his dad "enjoyed following the NY Giants football team, absolutely loved NASCAR racing, and playing golf. You need to have a healthy work-play balance." That's sound advice in our current times. The mid-1990s brought further success to the company. According to Ray, Jr., "In 1995 we bought our first plastic units from PolyJohn. We chose their 'Fleet Series" and found them to be very reliable and were an excellent addition to our inventory." Also, during this time frame, Ray, Sr. joined the Board of Directors of the PSAI. As Ray, Jr. relates, "Dad was a complete supporter of the PSAI. He only attended PSAI events and never went to any of the larger industry shows that were so popular at the time." In 1995, an extremely high visibility special event, the "Special Olympics World Games" in New Haven, Connecticut "put us on the map" notes Ray, Jr. The presence and the general acceptability of portable restrooms at large events was demonstrated in an exceptional manner by Farnham Sanitation. In compiling this detailed history of the PSAI, there have been many "firsts" to report and celebrate. To my knowledge the following is a "first" as well as an "only:" On March 20, 1998, at the PSAI Nuts & Bolts Educational Conference in Las Vegas, Ray, Jr. and Sheridan Luden were married! "A wonderful city surrounded by wonderful friends," Ray, Jr. remembers. Fathers and Sons of the PSAI…continued from page 7 Continued on page 9 Ray Luden, Sr. Ray Luden, Sr. with newlyweds Ray, Jr. and Sheridan Luden at the PSAI's 1998 Nuts & Bolts Educational Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.