IFI’s new president outlines goals
Donald C. Fawcett, Jr., CEO of Dependable Cleaners, will become president of the International
Fabricare Institute (IFI) at Clean ’03, taking over from
James Cripe, the current president.
 | ||
“As IFI president, I will work to
make membership a valuable tool in achieving success, both
personally and professionally,” Fawcett said. “My
professional background has instilled the importance of sharing
experiences and learning from others. Success for each member
means success for our industry as a whole.”
Fawcett listed five key issues that he
intends to address during his year in office. These include:
• Increasing IFI membership by
improving communications with all drycleaners.
• Increasing awareness and usage of
IFI’s education and training programs and services. This
includes making sure existing programs are appropriate, as well
as creating new programs based on member requests.
• Continuing the mission to improve
the industry’s image by raising the bar on industry
standards and professionalism levels.
• Increasing the value of IFI
membership and educating members on the ways IFI can help
increase their bottom line. These include increased sales,
decreased labor problems and having a referral source that can
be used on a regular basis.
• Continuing to provide a united
voice when working with government regulatory agencies.
“Drycleaning is a very different
industry than it was five to 10 years ago,” Fawcett
pointed out. “There are new fabrics, regulations and
labor issues. Understanding these changes is imperative. How we
adjust and adapt to them, however, will determine the future
success of our industry.
“I’m looking forward to
meeting this challenge and the opportunity to build upon the
success of IFI’s partnerships,” he continued.
“I know I can bring a fresh view, shaped by experience,
that will expand IFI’s capabilities and offerings in the
international market.”
A 40-year industry veteran, Fawcett has
served on IFI’s board of directors for four years. His
parents, Don Fawcett Sr. and Marion, opened the first
Dependable Cleaners plant in 1944. In 1966, Fawcett came home
from the army to work in the drycleaning business with his
father. In the late 1970s, he assumed the leadership role at
the company. Today, under the presidency of Don’s
daughter, Christa Hagearty, Dependable Cleaners has 17
locations throughout Boston and South Shore.
Fawcett is the past president of the New
England Sanitone Licensees and a graduate of Harvard
University’s Owner, President, Management Program. He is
currently a director of the North East Fabricare Association
and a director of IFI.
Fawcett earned a bachelor of science in
engineering from Vermont’s Norwich University in 1963. He
then joined the Army, where he completed officer training,
airborne school and a three-year tour of duty in Germany. While
in Europe, he attained the rank of Captain and Company
Commander of a Float Bridge Company.
He attended the General Course at the
National Institute of Drycleaners (predecessor to IFI) and
numerous other trade schools.
Fawcett and his wife, Anne, live in
Weymouth. Don’s daughter Christa received an M.B.A. from
Simmons College in Boston. His daughter Carlyn headed the
company’s training department and now works with the
company part-time.
Anne and Don also have one child together:
Donald Chapel III “D.C.” who is pursuing an M.B.A.
at Pepperdine University.
In his spare time, Fawcett enjoys spending
time with his grandchildren, playing hockey, power boating,
fishing and playing golf.
Dependable Cleaners is headquartered in
Quincy, MA. The company has a web site at
www.dependablecleaners.com.
 |
