Parks The Wagon And Hangs Up the Boots
Kenney Slatten started in this industry as a child when his Grandfather owned and operated Slatten Cleaners in DeRitter, Louisiana. After moving to Houston, the elderly Slatten continued his career as “head silk spotter” at the once famous Rice Hotel in Houston. In those days there were “head” or “chief” spotters. He taught Kenney’s dad the business, and then Kenney (who had just completed his stint with the Marines and married in 1970). Kenney also learned from his father-in-law who had a cleaning business in Houston. Kenney owned and operated six stores and plants in the 1970s in Houston.
After selling that operation in 1979, Kenney became chief trainer for two different major drycleaning franchises in the U.S. In 1987 Kenney became an independent consultant and in 1991 he, Jane Zellers and Everett Childers became certified instructors for IFI. Kenney’s specialty has always been environmental work, becoming the first instructor for California, the first state to require environmental licensing. California was Kenney’s home for ten years and still considers it his “second home.” He was Executive Director for WSDLA Association in Arizona and Nevada for seven years. Slatten was a DLI board member for four years. Kenney was a member of CLAE organization for Executive Directors. Kenney has been a longtime writer for Cleaner & Launder and is the author numerous articles and education briefs about drycleaning.
Kenney Slatten became too ill to continue the rigors for travel this year, so he decided to take off the boots, hang up the cowboy hat and park the wagon. An industry and the people that share love and respect for him, the world over will miss him.
