Servicon: Brand Story by Laurie Sewell (President & CEO)

I am Laurie Sewell, President and CEO of Servicon. I want to share how Servicon has grown and thrived-especially during COVID-19-based on leading with our purpose and creating a culture of care.

We are a commercial cleaning and facility services provider specializing in infection prevention in healthcare and other large, complex environments. Prior to the pandemic, cleaning was an industry that often existed in the shadows. Everyone knew it was necessary, but few wanted to focus on it.

Current events thrust it front and center, and it’s become clear to the public that it’s not something you can treat as an afterthought. With that in mind, I want to share how Servicon has grown and thrived-especially during COVID-19-based on leading with our purpose and creating a culture of care.

A Brief Introduction

I began my Servicon career with a summer internship while in college and then decided to work here full-time when I graduated. I’ve worn many hats in the company, from doing administrative work, then running our supplies division, to being appointed CEO in 2014. 

My story is atypical for such a traditionally male-dominated industry, but I wasn’t aware of that until I attended my first tradeshow. The show attracted attendees from around the world; the ratio of men to women at the event was probably close to 200 to 1.

So, in addition to the challenges all young people face starting their first professional job, I was a woman navigating uncharted waters. However, Servicon has always been progressive and innovative and created a culture that allowed me to thrive.

Since then, I have learned a lot as a woman at the helm of a multi-million-dollar company in an industry where women leaders remain a minority. Crucially, I learned how we can differentiate ourselves by leading our company with a purpose: to elevate the industry and provide healthy environments for people to thrive. 

People Come First

Servicon has always had a reputation for operational integrity and outstanding work. It’s why we are trusted by some of the largest, most complex companies in the country. To achieve this, though, we need focus, direction, and an understanding that the work is more than just a job.

Our services keep people healthy, and healthy spaces improve people’s mood, productivity, and general wellbeing. We need to stay on top of the latest innovations and science to validate our efforts. Perhaps most importantly, it’s our duty to care for and invest in our people so that they can thrive.

Our founder, Richard Mahdesian, was known for his caring attitude. A son of immigrants, he ran his family farm when he was just a teenager and developed a respect for those who weren’t born into privilege. He wanted to provide his employees, most of whom are also immigrants or children of immigrants, opportunities to grow so that they could buy their first homes and send their children to college. We’ve never lost sight of this.

We provide career pathways for our employees, focus on building effective communication channels and create spaces for open dialogue. They know we have their backs, and that allows them to meet the considerable challenges that have come their way.