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.
justin salisbury
FOUNDER/CEO
Known as LWF's founder, Justin's passion for impactful leadership has grown LWF from a tiny idea to an industry changer. Justin's work in making leadership count keeps driving us forward as we grow every year.
tARA bAUGHER
PRESIDENT
Tara Baugher is LWF's incoming president and is already making connections in our industry and helping us build a better LWF. This carwash community driven smarty pants brings new perspective to our industry and is helping us think bigger than ever.
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.
Aaron Rusbuldt
Treasurer
You may know Aaron as the General manager at Shur-Kleen, but before that he was awarded PC&D's Most Valuable Carwasher (2007). LWF is so grateful for Aaron's help as our Treasurer. He keeps our books balanced so we can grow each year.
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
He's one of our newest board members, but never boring! Matt is a master at communications and has spent years building up the carwash industry with his 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
Another new board member for LWF, Ryan built two successful carwash chains with his creative problem solving and continues to build up the industry with his passion for self-improvement. Known best for his work with Spark Car Wash, we're proud of Ryan for following his spark while he sails around with his family.
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
TWe 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 us their heart, brains, and hard work to make us who we are today.
Blake Dewitt
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Blake for his unwavering dedication and impactful leadership within the LWF community. As a founding member, Blake's steady and thoughtful presence has been instrumental in shaping our network's growth and cohesion. Blake's extensive experience in the car wash industry—beginning as a Maintenance Director and Director of Operations in Georgia and culminating in starting his own company, WashMore, a nationwide company specializing in car wash installation, management, and service—has provided him with a grounded, operator-focused perspective. This insight has enriched our discussions and fostered meaningful support across the network. As Blake embarks on this exciting new chapter with WashMore, we cheer him on every step of the way. Thank you, Blake, for your time, your insight, and the heart you've invested in helping LWF flourish—you've left a lasting impact.
Kimberly Dewitt
We can’t thank Kim enough for the incredible foundation she helped build for LWF. From the very beginning, Kim was instrumental in making sure we not only looked polished and professional, but that we were easy to find, connect with, and engage through thoughtful, intentional design. While many know her best for her stunning work with Raine Days, we’ve been fortunate to benefit from her creative problem solving, sharp eye for detail, and unwavering support for many years. Kim brought heart, clarity, and consistency to everything she touched—and LWF wouldn’t be what it is today without her. We’re endlessly grateful.
A heartfelt thank you to Andrea Vetos for the warmth, wisdom, and leadership she’s brought to LWF. From her start as an accounting graduate to her current role as VP of Operations at Mammoth Holdings, Andrea’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible with dedication and heart. Overseeing 42 car wash locations across 7 states, she’s shared invaluable lessons on what it takes to lead with integrity, build strong teams, and foster a culture where people can thrive. We’re so grateful for her time, her perspective, and the generous spirit she brings to everything she does.
harris hemphill
We’re so grateful to Harrison Hemphill for sharing his time and insight helping us build LWF. He’s passionate about relationships, processes & delivering results. As he has seen the best and worst of carwashing, he’s always positive about its future. While he’s best known for helping grow Zips Car Wash from 16 to over 200 locations (and before that, scaling his own family business from 2 to 6), we’re lucky to have his perspective and expertise on what it takes to grow smart, stay relevant, and build something that lasts. We’re so grateful for everything he’s contributed—and excited to see what’s ahead as he continues to grow and lead in the industry.
JOIN OUR board
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.
