#USA #Wilmington #UniFirst #Aldo Croatti #Founder's Day

UniFirst's 24th Annual Founder's Day Celebrates a Legacy

On July 23, 2025, UniFirst Corporation, a leading provider of uniform and business service solutions in North America, marked its 24th annual Founder's Day. The event took place through a livestreamed leadership panel discussion, highlighting the Core Values that the company's founder, Aldo Croatti, instilled at the heart of its operations: Customer Focus, Commitment to Quality, and Respect for Others. These values serve as the foundational principles steering the company's growth and its focus on a people-first strategy.

The panel featured prominent company figures, such as Steven Sintros, President and CEO; Kelly Rooney, Chief Operating Officer; David Katz, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing; and Cynthia Croatti, a Board Member and the daughter of Aldo Croatti. The discussions were facilitated by Catalina Dongo, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the values established by Mr. Croatti as the compass for UniFirst's continued success.

In a symbolic tribute to this legacy, UniFirst introduced the Cynthia Croatti Leadership Award, which recognizes leaders who exemplify vision, passion, and purpose in their roles. Notably, Cynthia Croatti was the inaugural recipient of this award, reflecting her extraordinary contributions to the company over the past four decades. In her emotional acceptance speech, she framed the recognition as a tribute to her father's enduring vision and the dedication of all Team Partners at UniFirst. "You're only as good as your people," her father used to say, and she sees that reflected in the hard work and commitment of her colleagues every day.

The day also acknowledged the outstanding efforts of UniFirst's Team Partners through its Employee of the Year (EOY) recognition program. Locations across North America celebrated employees who epitomize the company's values and exhibit exceptional commitment to excellence, rewarding them with commemorative plaques, special gifts, and a bonus paid day off. Their names were also honored with displays at each site, marking their achievements for all to see.

Steven Sintros spoke about the unique culture at UniFirst that sets it apart from competitors. He stated, "What distinguishes UniFirst from our competition is our people and the culture we've built together," extending congratulations to all EOY recipients for their invaluable contributions to customer satisfaction, corporate responsibility, and respect for one another.

In addition, the event saw the announcement of scholarship programs aimed at supporting the educational aspirations of deserving individuals within the UniFirst community. The Aldo Croatti Scholarship assists the children of Team Partners, enabling them to pursue academic endeavors, while the Ronald D. Croatti Scholarship offers support to full-time employees seeking further education in fields such as IT, sales leadership, or business administration. These scholarships underscore UniFirst’s commitment to investing in employee development and educational advancement.

As UniFirst looks ahead, the leadership remains committed to ensuring that the founding values instilled by Aldo Croatti continue to guide their work, interactions, and business practices. The united front shown through Founder's Day not only honors founding principles but also reaffirms the organization’s dedication to its people and their collective future. Through rigorous adherence to these core values, UniFirst aims to perpetuate a thriving environment for all Team Partners, ensuring that the vision and ethos of their founder live on in every aspect of the organization’s operations.

Congratulations to UniFirst for yet another successful Founder's Day, celebrating past achievements while also looking forward to future excellence. For more details about the company and its dedicated work culture, be sure to visit their website at UniFirst.com.