Remembering W. Marion Ivey

Contributed by Brant Insero, Chief Global Education Officer, ISSA

Sadly, the global cleaning community has lost a revered ambassador, instructor, and friend.

Marion Ivey was a prominent figure in ISSA’s training brand known as the Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) for over thirty years.

During his tenure with CMI, Ivey had the opportunity to influence industry professionals from various countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

From 1972 to 1978, Ivey served the United States of America as a Marine and reservist. During his military career, Ivey held such positions as infantry unit leader and drill instructor. His commendations include the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. Ivey began instructing the CMI Certified Custodial Technician program at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon. He often recounted his experiences deploying training programs aimed at reducing recidivism rates in local prisons during this period.

Some of Ivey’s significant moments included training front-line and management-level workers in various environments, including partnerships with the Smithsonian Institute and Ohio State University. Regardless of the location where Ivey implemented CMI Certifications, he affected each attendee. Many recall that Ivey dedicated ample time to ensure individuals comprehended the information being taught, including offering support after class.

While Ivey enjoyed collaborating with management-level employees to empower them to instruct their front-line staff, his passion truly emerged when he worked directly with front-line employees and professionals in underserved industries.

I personally recall when members of ISSA would ask about CMI certification programs, they didn’t ask for our courses; they would ask for Marion Ivey’s courses. He was indeed the face of CMI and all that the brand embodied through its mission.

During his tenure of teaching at CMI, Ivey met and became friends with many individuals, including Roger McFadden, another industry expert and innovator who contributed to the industry’s advancements.

McFadden said this of Ivey: “Marion and I served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War but did not meet until ten years later when we were teaching cleaning professionals on the ISSA CMI circuit. We bonded immediately as fellow cleaning professionals and Marines. We have been colleagues and friends ever since.

“Marion Ivey was more than a drill instructor,” McFadden continued. “He was a leader, a mentor, and a beacon of strength. His commitment to the Marine Corps and dedication to training the next generation of cleaning professionals were evident in everything he did. With an unwavering sense of duty, he prepared young men and women to face the challenges of life and careers, instilling in them the values of honor, courage, pride, and commitment. Many of those who passed through his rigorous training have shared that it was his tough yet loving and compassionate approach that shaped them into the men and women they became.”

Ivey influenced thousands to become trainers through his innovative approach with CMI’s Train the Trainer program, including business owner, Joel Craddock.

“Marion, with his background as a drill instructor, exuded confidence and knowledge that inspired me,” said Craddock. “He graciously took me under his wing, guiding me towards self-realization and fostering a bond that transcended mere mentorship. Whenever I sought profound insights or unwavering honesty, Marion, the master trainer, was my go-to source. His influence has shaped my aspirations, setting a standard for the professional I aim to become in the future.”

Matt Moberg, former CMI account executive and trainer, had this to say of Ivey: “Marion was more than just a mentor—he was a source of wisdom and generosity in an industry that can often feel impersonal and overlooked. When I first entered the industry, he worked with me without hesitation, sharing not just technical knowledge about products and processes, but the deeper art of building relationships and truly understanding other’s needs. His greatest gift was teaching me how to listen carefully, solve problems creatively, and always approach each interaction with genuine empathy and respect. Marion exemplified this philosophy every single day, and his kindness rippled through the entire industry, touching countless lives, including mine. The lessons he taught me about professional integrity, continuous learning, and lifting others up will remain a guiding light in my career, a testament to a man who saw mentorship not as an obligation, but as a calling.”

Another longtime friend of Ivey, Gene Woodard, said: “The cleaning industry has lost a remarkable trainer, mentor, friend, and caring individual who was gracious to everyone he met. I first attended one of his training courses in the mid-1980s at an IEHA conference in Portland, Oregon. As the years and decades marched on, I benefited from every interaction we had at IEHA/ISSA conferences I attended, and there were many. He was a mentor who invested in me as he did with many others. I learned and developed technical skills that were so important to my development, but what was most valued was Marion’s example of leadership and human decency. He demonstrated what it meant to be a life-long learner and encouraged everyone to be the best version of themselves and reach their full potential. Marion was a man of unwavering integrity and high character whose influence will be carried on.”

Close friend and industry leader Bill McGarvey said: “It is hard for me to encapsulate all that Marion means to me. I knew of him long before I met him. He exemplified grace under fire in my initial Train the Trainer class. It was held in Kensington, a Philly neighborhood with the “El” literally on the other side of the training room wall. He would hear it coming, stop talking, and then wait because the one coming from the other direction was seconds away. He took it all in stride and never missed a beat. His patience, dedication, and professionalism were evident at all times.

“I was fortunate to co-train with Marion several times, learning more from the master each time,” McGarvey continued. “He reminded me of the Pied Piper. Attendees would hang on to his every word. He was always gracious and never a ‘know-it-all,’ he almost took it personally if someone struggled with the material. His hotel lobby study sessions were a mainstay for those wanting additional help.

“It was hard to have a conversation with him at the ISSA Show because there was always someone else coming up to say hello, hug him, and thank him for all they had learned. My life has been greatly enriched having known this humble and gentle man, and I am honored to have called him ‘friend.’”

Marion Ivey was the glue to CMI, and during some of the turbulent times, he found a way to remain steadfast in the organization’s growth with a primary mission of empowering professionals around the globe, no matter the person’s background, skill level, and goals for tomorrow. He treated each person he met with the utmost respect and dignity. He was a natural leader inside the classroom and every place he went. His influence went beyond the cleaning industry and all that it offers. Ivey’s most impactful moments were often unintentional, as he taught people how to love, respect, and care for one another without saying a word.

It has been my distinct honor to know him, and I will forever cherish the moments we shared and the friendship that was formed. He will always be the face I think of when someone brings up CMI. He will always be my trainer of the decade. It was such a pleasure to honor him at the ISSA Show alongside his beautiful wife and friends a few years ago. We look forward to honoring him for many years to come.
Simply put … I am so thankful to have had Marion Ivey in my life.

To commemorate Ivey’s contributions to the cleaning industry, ISSA is introducing the ISSA Cleaning Management Institute Trainer of the Year award in honor of W. Marion Ivey. The inaugural winner will be announced at the ISSA Show North America 2025, with nominations to be revealed shortly.

Along with the award in Ivey’s name, ISSA will launch a new scholarship for industry professionals who would like to follow in his footsteps and become a trainer in the cleaning industry. If you or your organization would like to become a founding partner of the scholarship fund, please contact Brant Insero at brant@issa.com.

Brant Insero is ISSA’s chief global education officer. With nearly 20 years of professional training experience, he has instructed industry professionals within commercial cleaning, supply chain, telecommunications, retail, and financial vertical markets.