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About LWF
Leadership Worth Following (LWF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing strong, values-driven leadership within the car wash industry. We are an eclectic group of operators, innovators, and change-makers brought together by a shared mission: to move the car wash industry forward by helping people improve themselves, their teams, and their companies.
The car wash industry is far more complex than most people realize. Behind the suds and shine is a fast-paced, people-driven environment where leadership matters. Yet for many, access to quality leadership education is limited. That’s where LWF steps in.
We rely on our team—and the generous support of others—to host events, produce actionable content, and create spaces for meaningful conversations that help operators grow. Whether it’s mastering team management, refining operational systems, or leading through change, we believe the car wash is a surprisingly powerful platform for developing real-world leadership skills.
Our goal isn’t just to build better businesses—it’s to build better contributors to communities. Through curiosity, humility, integrity, and a commitment to getting uncomfortable in pursuit of growth, LWF exists to normalize authentic leadership and support the next generation of car wash leaders.
WHO IS LWF?
THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE US POSSIBLE
This eclectic mix of industry leaders came together with a common goal - moving the car wash industry forward and helping others in the industry better themselves, their teams, and their companies. The car wash industry is much more complex than most people understand or care to believe. With an absence of accessible, helpful education for most people, leveraging a complex and ample platform (the car wash!) is a great place to learn and develop a variety of skills. It is the intention of LWF, Inc to portray this insight and develop better contributors to communities.
tARA bAUGHER
PRESIDENT
Tara Baugher s the sitting President of Leadership Worth Following and Director of Operations at Ver-tech Labs. She's passionate about authentic leadership and giving people practical takeaways they can actually use.
Caleb Box
VICE PRESIDENT
LWF is so lucky to have Caleb's support over the years. He a dedicated car wash enthusiast and a cornerstone of knowledge. We can always count on Caleb to know what's going on in the industry. He is truly a wealth of information.
nick lopez
BOARD MEMBER
Nick may be the Car Wash Executive officer at QuikTrip, but at LWF he's the guy who keeps us laughing. Our quick witted Nick brings levity and balance to our group and we can always count on him to say the things that need to be said.
Sean Quershi
BOARD MEMBER
Sean Qureshi is an incredible asset to LWF, bringing his expertise in tackling money laundering and terrorism risks to the table! With his impressive background from iCarwash, he’s not just sharing knowledge; he’s igniting our operations with expertise and making LWF even better!
Destiny Baker
BOARD MEMBER
Destiny is a force with a brain that solves problems faster than Superman can change his clothes. She is the head of training, learning, and development at Mammoth Holdings and brings the industry forward with her ability to learn, teach, and change the industry.
Tony Vertin
BOARD MEMBER
You may know Tony as the CEO of Ver-Tech labs but we know him as the expert on Koi Ponds. Tony is true scholar (MBA) with a lengthy background in leadership as a commissioned infantry officer for the US Army. LWF is so lucky to have Tony as part of our board.
matt dewolf
BOARD MEMBER
The founder of MKQuinn Media, Matt is a master at communications and has spent years building up the carwash industry with his previous involvement in ICA. We are so lucky to have him help us build up LWF while he brings style and grace in everything he touches.
RYAN EASTER
BOARD MEMBER
Ryan is the founder of The Allied Advantage, where he coaches car wash operators and leaders to build stronger teams and healthier businesses. He knows the work from the inside, with more than a decade spent running and scaling washes across eight states. Now he helps others grow with less stress and more freedom, the same freedom that lets him run his own life from a sailboat with his family.
John Sproul
BOARD MEMBER
John Sproul is the Training Director at Camel Express and one of the most respected voices in the car wash industry. He has built a reputation for showing up for people, sharing knowledge freely, and bringing an energy to leadership development that is genuinely contagious. If you've spent any time in this industry, chances are John has already poured into you in some way.
Erin Dreeszen
BOARD MEMBER
As co-founder of Autowash Companies, Erin's work focuses on building the systems, leadership, and culture that help teams thrive through transformation—not simply react to it. Her passion is developing people alongside technology, creating scalable systems that expand both organizational capability and human potential. She believes the future belongs to organizations that can learn faster than they change.
Sean Pashley
BOARD MEMBER
Sean is the VP of Partner Success at EverWash and EverWash Unlimited. He is passionate about helping car wash operators succeed and believes that sharing knowledge makes the entire industry stronger. He brings energy, optimism, and a genuine desire to make a difference. His favorite role, however, is being a husband and father to his two young children.
This could be you!
BOARD MEMBER
Do you have a passion for leadership and the car wash industry? We'd love to hear from you! Follow the button below and say hello to our team.
LWF Alumni
THE PEOPLE WHO MADE US POSSIBLE
We are where we are now because of where we've been and we want to thank the people who got us here. Thank you so much to our LWF alumni who have given their heart, their head, and countless hours of hard work.
justin salisbury
Former CEO & Founder
Aaron Rusbuldt
Former Treasurer
Kimberly Dewitt
Former Brand Manager
BOARD SEATS NOW OPEN!
WE WANT TO HERE FROM YOU!
We thrive and expand thanks to our incredible team. Are you involved in the car wash industry and eager to become a part of Leadership Worth Following? We would love to hear from you! Please reach out by completing the form below and we'll get you the information on how to apply to our board. Keep in mind that spaces are limited; this is an application-based process with openings occurring only once every 1-2 years due to seat availability.
