USA
Darrel Coatney, director of operations at West Michigan Shared Hospital Laundry, and Suzy Ward, strategic account manager at Crothall Healthcare, have been awarded scholarships to attend the Laundry & Linen College from Association for Linen Management (ALM).
Coatney intends to become a Registered Laundry and Linen Director (RLLD). He attended the Laundry Processing and Operations session of the Laundry & Linen College in October 2017, and will now attend the Textile Care Services session, 23-27 April, thanks to the scholarship provided by MIP Inc.
“I would like to thank ALM and all parties involved in awarding me this scholarship to attend the Laundry & Linen College, giving me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge,” said Coatney. “I am fairly new to the laundry industry; however, I am passionate about learning as much as possible.”
Ward was awarded the memorial scholarship from the Encompass Group. She has been with the textile care industry for four years at Crothall Healthcare, and an ALM member since 2016.
“It has been a privilege to work for the laundry division at Crothall Healthcare as a strategic account manager,” said Ward.
“It never ceases to amaze me how much more there is to learn. Fortunately, I have an amazing team of peers and leaders that have prepared me for this very opportunity.” 
Linda Fairbanks, executive director of ALM said: “ALM works to ensure our members have the tools they need to remain profitable in our changing industry. We are proud to have such generous allied trade members, who help support others in our industry and provide these opportunities to build their knowledge.”
Scholarships to ALM’s Laundry & Linen College are available on an application basis. The Laundry & Linen College is aligned with the information on the RLLD certification exam; while attendance at the college is not a requirement, it is excellent training to ensure successful completion of the exam. Directors, general managers, or those with experience in middle management of a laundry with an aptitude for higher levels of responsibility are candidates for the RLLD exam.
