Katie Smith Receives Industry Award

The Mid South Professional Cleaners Association (MSPCA) recently honored Katie Smith with the Bernson Award. MSPCA is a non-profit association of specialists dedicated to providing high quality services to their customers in the art of cleaning and restoration. Members represent Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.

Dick Bernson was the founding President of the Association. He opened Bernson Rug Cleaning in Durham in 1947 and retired from active business in 1978. He was active, served as director, and held office in all industry-related associations including the National Institute of Rug Cleaning, Association of Interior Decor Specialists (now the Restoration Industry Association), International Society of Cleaning Technicians, and the Independent Consultants of America.

Despite all of this work, Dick Bernson still found time to see the need for, and to work toward the establishment of, the Mid-South Professional Cleaners Association. His leadership and hard work in the early days of the Association laid the groundwork for the thriving organization that it is today.

The Dick Bernson Award is given annually to the person who has accomplished the most toward advancing the science and professionalism of the industry in general, and the Mid-South Professional Cleaners Association in particular. Katie Smith has served as the President of MSPCA since 2014 and recently moved to the role of Past President. Passionate about uniting and improving the restoration industry, Katie has also served on the Board of Directors of the Restoration Industry Association since 2015 and currently serves as the RIA Secretary. She is honored to be recognized by her peers who nominated her for the Bernson Award.