Ellie Tarnutzer co-owner of Lake Mills Cleaners and Dyers, Inc., founded in 1938, was appointed to the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute’s (WFI) Board of Directors at their General Membership Meeting on September 10th, in Winneconne, Wisconsin. Tarnutzer and her husband Lance own and operate the successful drycleaning plant in Lake Mills with several locations serving numerous communities in south central Wisconsin.
The Tarnutzers have been supportive and active in WFI programs over the years. Ellie’s continued commitment to the industry and forward thinking impressed current members of the WFI Board of Directors at this summer’s annual convention.
“She brings fresh ideas and a new perspective to our Board,” stated WFI Executive Director Brian Swingle. “I think that she will be an asset in helping our organization meet the needs of our members in a very challenging time for the industry. She represents the foundation of our membership and core values of family-owned businesses in Wisconsin.
WFI was founded in 1942 in Milwaukee, and is recognized as the birthplace of US drycleaner associations. WFI’s first association President was E. C. Stoddard, descendent of William Joeseph Stoddard, developer of less flammable hydrocarbon solvent, commonly called Stoddard Solvent, which came to be a standard solvent used in the industry from 1928 to the late 1950’s.
Today, WFI represents the drycleaning industry in Wisconsin and espouses and promotes the very highest degree of professionalism, integrity and service to our customers, employees and society, with a commitment to enhance our environment. WFI was awarded the 2002 Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award, highlighting what WFI is doing in the areas of pollution prevention, innovative technology and environmental stewardship.
