NRCC 2025:
AWARDS LUNCHEON
The 35th Northeast Regional Carwash Convention (NRCC) Awards Luncheon highlighted two Emerging Leaders and two industry greats. The program was hosted by Co-Chairs Walt Hartl and Chris Kubarek.
Emerging Leader Recipients
The NRCC’s Emerging Leader award is meant to acknowledge and push the industry’s youngest and brightest to new heights while encouraging them to continue in their path as industry leaders. Melanie Agudelo of ScrubADub Auto Wash Center in Massachusetts is the assistant manager of the company’s Quincy flex serve. In 2022 she was the youngest recipient of the Spirit of ScrubaDub award, having been selected by her fellow team members and managers for caring like family for her team, community and customers. Alex Paisner, Director of People and Culture for ScrubaDub said, “Melanie is an inspiring leader for her team and is deserving of any and all recognition.”
Riley Cook, began as a customer service advisor at Splash Car Wash’s Newark, NY, store and has worked his way up to General Manager at their Fayetteville, NY, store where he oversaw the most successful initial ramp up in Splash’s history. According to Michael Grubka, Splash Area Manager, “He is a leader who has emerged and will have continued success with anything he touches in the industry.”
Most Distinguished Person
The Most Distinguished Person award is bestowed on an individual who demonstrates a high level of dedication and devotion to the promotion and advancement of the professional carwashing industry. And this year’s recipient did that in spades through carwash innovation and the formation of Grace for Vets, the program that honors Veterans on November 11 with a free wash to acknowledge and thank them for their service to the country. Mike Mountz, founder of Cloister Car Washes in Pennsylvania, created this program and devoted years to its mission before turning it over to Mark Curtis with Splash. The nonprofit organization is made up of thousands of participating carwashes in the US and abroad. In 2024, 4,309 participants gave away 390,000 free carwashes. To learn more and participate visit graceforvets.com
Mike’s long-time friend, Tom Hoffman, Sr. of Hoffman Car Washes in Albany, NY, presented him with the honor in an emotional tribute from one great carwasher to another. Hoffman Car Wash was the first wash, beside Cloister, to participate in the program. In true fashion, Mike tossed out a mile’s long roll of paper with all those he wanted to thank for the award, taking little credit for his huge impact on the industry.
Most Distinguished Person
The NRCC’s Emerging Leader award is meant to acknowledge and push the industry’s youngest and brightest to new heights while encouraging them to continue in their path as industry leaders. Melanie Agudelo of ScrubADub Auto Wash
Center in Massachusetts is the assistant manager of the company’s Quincy flex serve. In 2022 she was the youngest recipient of the Spirit of ScrubaDub award, having been selected by her fellow team members and managers for caring like family for her team, community and customers. Alex Paisner, Director of People and Culture for ScrubaDub said, “Melanie is an inspiring leader for her team and is deserving of any and all recognition.”
Riley Cook, began as a customer service advisor at Splash Car Wash’s Newark, NY, store and has worked his way up to General Manager at their Fayetteville, NY, store where he oversaw the most successful initial ramp up in Splash’s history. According to Michael Grubka, Splash Area Manager, “He is a leader who has emerged and will have continued success with anything he touches in the industry.”
