Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1437327
7 I PSAI Association Insight, December 15, 2021 Past Presidents Reflect Upon the PSAI's Past: Michael McCarthy and Mike Pauling (continued from page 6) if we give 100 percent, we can do no more. • "He filled himself with the passion to never give up." These words were of vital importance to the PSAI Board during the transitional years of the early 1990s. • "Stay on the front line of the battle." Mike's military training spawned this philosophy, and I know that he shared it with many of us. You make the best decisions when you are actively involved in situations as opposed to being removed from the situation. • "Always a dreamer." Mike encouraged others to investigate business diversification and to "think outside the box." An excellent example of this is his creation of Biffs Pathfinders, a disinfectant produced by Ecolab in the Twin Cities that works while only using one gallon of water. Going beyond the generic term "sanitizer," this product is more powerful while saving and conserving water. While we have lost Mike, his contributions and his impact on the PSAI live on. Final Thoughts Michael McCarthy and Mike Pauling were an incredible team who diligently worked to improve and to expand the reach of the PSAI. They were a source of encouragement and support to the membership — both old and new members, as well as to the PSAI Board and the executive director. Their leadership and influence helped to propel the PSAI from a small 20-year- old association to the worldwide and professional association that we enjoy today. Thank you for your leadership and for your support, Michael and Mike! Fact: Mike Pauling's 17-year service on the PSAI Board of Directors is an accomplishment that may never be equaled. His commitment to the PSAI is extraordinary! Biffs grew very rapidly when the Paulings and their two partners purchased the portable restroom divisions of both Waste Management in 1992 and BFI in 1993 in Minneapolis. It should be noted that BFI had previously acquired the service business from Satellite and Al Hilde. In 1997, Mike bought out the partners and Derek came onboard after graduating from college. Daughter Heather had joined the company in 1994. At this time, Biffs was exclusively a family-owned business. One further acquisition was made in 1997 when Mike purchased Andy's Sanitation, which was owned by former PSAI Executive Director Ted Anderson. In addition to a multitude of management responsibilities, Diana worked exceedingly hard on many behind-the-scenes projects that propelled Biffs as the company continued to grow. New technology and initiating company procedures were two areas where she excelled. In fact, from 1997-2000, Diana was the driving force behind the development of Wizzen Order Management Software. Heather and Derek now share with us many of Mike's thoughts concerning the PSAI and our industry in general: • "If you do your best, your will never fail." We learn from our mistakes and Requests: As this series of articles continues in our 50th Anniversary Year as well as the update of "PSAI Through the Decades" is composed, I would appreciate any articles, stories, remembrances, or any other information that you could share to assist in the preservation and the publication of the amazing history of our industry and our PSAI. Email Jeff or call him at 770-206-0794. THANK YOU! Anniversary Celebration