ST. PAUL, Minn. — Ecolab reports that Ken Dowdy of Knoxville, Tennessee, died July 24.
Most recently, he served as vice president of sales, Textile Care North America, leading the field sales and corporate accounts teams.
“He was a great leader, mentor, coach and friend to so many in the commercial laundry market and personal life,” the company says in a press release. “Ken was a tremendously passionate and engaged leader. He led with his heart and soul.”
Dowdy began his career in the commercial laundry market as a route manager at National Linen and excelled quickly in this role.
In July 1995, he joined Ecolab and held various positions, mainly in sales and customer-facing roles. The company says he consistently won the hearts and minds of so many through his extensive laundry experience, valuable insights, and genuine ability to influence, inspire and teach.
Dowdy stayed actively involved with many of the commercial laundry trade associations. He was passionate about making good connections and friendships, especially at customer meetings and industry events and consciously nurtured these relationships by demonstrating the value he offered.
Dowdy was very competitive in business, but he also made sure to enjoy life along the way. He lived by the motto, “Work Hard, Play Hard.”
Memorials or cards can be sent to the Dowdy Family, 126 Clear Cove Ct., Lenoir City, TN 37772.
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