Corinne Zudonyi, Editor-in-Chief of Sanitary Maintenance magazine

Being a sales leader goes beyond simply managing a team or closing deals — it involves inspiring and guiding others to achieve consistent success. A true sales leader embodies vision, strategy, and the ability to influence their colleagues and their clients. They set clear goals, motivate those around them to exceed targets, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. 

Sales leaders do more than just track numbers; they drive innovation, go beyond the sale, and strategize to create and maintain long-term relationships. They understand that excelling in sales isn’t just about personal success but about empowering others to succeed as well.  

To celebrate the reps that stand out in jan/san, we once again solicited nominations for the 2025 Sanitary Maintenance Sales Leader Award. As always, submissions poured in and competition was high. In the end, four individuals stood out to our panel of judges.  

Congratulations to Craig Baumgart, Jr. of Right Choice Janitorial Supply, LLC; Deven Eastridge from WAXIE Sanitary Supply; John Bruning of Innovative Office Solutions; and Paul Mullen from Penn Jersey Paper. Details of each of these 2025 Sales Leaders are outlined in our cover story, but I can tell you they all share a few traits that other reps can learn from: 

  • Strong Communication Skills and Resilience — Sales is full of ups and downs. These leaders push through challenges, maintain their composure, communicate honestly and openly, and stay motivated. 

  • Empathy and Emotional Intelligence — These professionals take time to understand customers at a deeper level, which helps build trust and loyalty. 

  • Customer-centric Mentality — Rather than just selling products, these leaders are partners, educators and mentors to their customers. They take initiative and step up when challenges arise. 

  • Accountability and Integrity — These 2025 Sales Leaders take responsibility for results and uphold ethical business practices, which is key to their long-term success. 

Successful sales reps are often thought of as those who constantly hit their numbers. Yes, meeting goals and quotas are important, but alone they don't equate to being a leader. It's these attributes displayed by our winners that truly earn the respect of colleagues and customers, and build a reputation for excellence. 




POSTED ON: 5/5/2025