Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1437327
2 I PSAI Association Insight, December 15, 2021 Past Presidents Reflect Upon the PSAI's Past: Michael McCarthy and Mike Pauling (continued from page 1) (continued on page 4) restroom units to route service technician to sales and then to management, he learned every aspect of the business. Michael states, "I considered Mort Weiner to be my mentor in the portable sanitation industry." He shared a humorous account of his initial thoughts about our industry. "In 1970, while on military leave, I went with several friends to see the show Woodstock, The Movie in a nearby theater." (This production documented the historic Woodstock Music and Art Fair that was held August 15-18, 1969.) He continues, "at one point the movie depicts a service tech from Porta-San servicing several wooden restrooms and I said that 'I would never do that,' and we all laughed about that." After some 48 years in our industry, we are all extremely glad that Michael "did do that" as our industry and our Association are the better because of it. Michael became involved in the PSA in the early 1980s and his initial thoughts were "Members were the most sharing, fun, and down-to-earth people that I have ever met." In 1985, Michael McCarthy purchased the Pittsburgh location of Mr John and thereby founded Mr John of Pittsburgh. He states that there were 12 employees and roughly 800 plastic units at that time. One of those employees, Jeff Wolfarth, is still with the company today and serves as vice president. Jeff began his career with Mr John and the Weiner Family in 1977. He also served as PSAI president in 2008-09. Michael joined the PSA Board in spring 1990. At this time, Dorothy Sansom was serving as president. A sudden opening at the vice president position prompted Dorothy to contact Michael. He states, "Dorothy said 'Kid, I like you and I think that you should fill this position.' I agreed and for 6 months, I served as vice president only to be elevated to president at the end of Dorothy's term." As president, he had to immediately begin the search for a new executive director for the Association. Simultaneously, work needed to be done for the PSA to celebrate its 20th Anniversary at the Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, in addition to the name change to the Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI). Michael McCarthy — PSAI President 1990-91 and 1991-92 Michael was born in 1948 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Sayreville War Memorial High School in Northern New Jersey in 1966. After graduation, he had various jobs until 1967 when he enlisted in the US Navy where he served for 4 years. He was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. His career in portable sanitation began in April 1973 when was hired by Mort Weiner with Mr John in nearby Keasbey, New Jersey. Michael says that he interviewed for this job because he had been laid off and needed work. Founded in 1964, Mr John was one of the earliest portable restroom companies to serve the New York-New Jersey area. Throughout a 12-year career with Mr John, Michael exemplified a high level of performance in all aspects of the business. From construction of wooden Michael McCarthy receiving the Andy Gump Award at the 2011 annual convention The movie that showed the Woodstock units being cleaned, causing Michael McCarthy to proclaim, "I would never do that." Fact: Michael McCarthy has the distinction of serving the shortest period on the Board before becoming president — 6 months.