As CITY reflects on a strong year of customer renewals, it is only fitting to recognize someone who has spent decades proving what long-term relationships, consistency, and service truly look like.
Randy Jipson, Route Supervisor at CITY Laundering Co., just hit 25 years with the company. “A family-owned business takes it to the next level,” Randy shared. “I’ve seen the competitors. They seem like you’re a number. For us, almost all the guys know everybody by their first name. We care, and that’s how we do business. I am proud to work at CITY Laundering.”
For a quarter of a century, Randy has shown up for his customers, his coworkers, and CITY with a steady commitment that has made a lasting impact across Northeast Iowa. That consistency was on full display last December when he successfully renewed one of CITY’s largest accounts in the region. It was a major win, but for those who know Randy, it was also exactly what they would expect from someone who has built his career on trust, responsiveness, and relationships.
For over two decades, Randy has made sure CITY’s customers receive accurate deliveries and quality service. He spent most of his CITY career as a route service representative, where his attention to detail, positive attitude, and genuine care for customers helped define what great service looks like. For 18 years, Route 10 was Randy’s home, and businesses throughout the Waterloo, IA area came to know him for his reliability, his smile, and his commitment to doing the job right.
“You just can’t run in and run out. You got to go in and say, ‘Hey, is there anything you need any help with?’” Randy said.
That approach is a big reason Randy built such strong customer relationships over the years. He believes communication is one of the most important skills a Route Service Representative can have, and it is something he has carried into leadership as his career at CITY has evolved.
More recently, Randy stepped into a training role, where every new Route Service Representative coming through CITY’s Northeast Iowa doors has the opportunity to learn directly from someone with decades of hands-on experience. Randy has helped new hires understand the importance of the job and continues working with coworkers until they feel confident in their role.
“I know that if you are comfortable, you are going to do good things for CITY,” Randy shared. “You can’t be afraid to talk to someone on the cusp. Even if something is wrong, you still have to talk to them. You’ve got to go in there, and that’s only possible if you are comfortable.”
Even after moving into training and leadership, Randy never lost sight of what made him successful in the first place: caring about people and finding solutions. “Finding a way to fix a problem or a way to make everyone happy is the most rewarding feeling,” Randy said. “Coming back after a long day knowing my customers are happy—it’s great.”
Director of Service Mark Ballo has had the privilege of working alongside Randy for all 25 of those years and has seen firsthand how Randy has grown into the leader he is today.
“Congratulations on your 25 years at CITY,” Mark said. “It’s been really cool to watch you grow, develop, and become who you are today.”
Mark said Randy’s impact in Oelwein and throughout Northeast Iowa goes far beyond longevity. It comes from understanding exactly what it takes to be a great route service representative and then passing that knowledge on to others.
“Randy has a huge impact on our Oelwein facility, not just because of the longevity that he’s had there, but because he knows what it takes to be a really good route service rep,” Mark shared. “I think his strength is knowing the ins and outs of every customer that we service. He’s engaged. He has great relationships with people. And he’s really good at sharing route service rep knowledge with other route service reps. That’s exactly what we need in a route supervisor.”
That ability to help others who aren’t in the service department has made Randy an important part of the next generation of CITY as a whole.
“You can literally ask him any sort of little question that you have, and 99% of the time, he can give you an answer right then and there,” Director of Communication Emily Hauber said. “Every time I chat with Randy, I end up learning something, and anytime I know Randy is involved with anything, I trust that the work will get done.”
That kind of support is exactly what the other Oelwein Route Supervisor, Logan Bunn, sees from Randy every day. Logan said Randy has become more than just a coworker—he has become someone who genuinely wants others to succeed.
“Randy Jipson has gone from being a friend to truly putting me under his wing—he genuinely wants me to succeed, and with his 25-plus years of experience, there’s nothing he doesn’t know,” Logan said. “He is always all over the routes, jumping in to fix things that aren’t even in his lane, and sticking his neck out to make sure CITY is running the way it should. He’s the ultimate company guy and bleeds CITY blue, green, and yellow.”
Mark also said one of the things that stands out most about Randy is how deeply he cares about CITY’s success.
“He genuinely cares about CITY Laundering being successful,” Mark said. “When things don’t go the way we might want them to, it fires him up to try and change it. He truly wants to see CITY win. He wants his team to be successful. His goal is to be the best, to be the most responsive, and to have good relationships. And he doesn’t let anything get in the way of that.”
That mindset has carried Randy through every stage of his career. While Randy didn’t know if he wanted to leave his route, he found a new way to make an impact by helping others grow in their own roles.
“It was tough leaving my route,” Randy shared. “I think we have a really great group of guys now, and it’s all about finding the right person. You are always going to have people that are not happy, but all I can do is work as hard as I can to try; you always try.”
After 25 years, Randy’s legacy can be seen in the customers he has served, the routes he helped strengthen, and the employees he has mentored along the way. He has built friendships, earned trust, and helped show what service at CITY should look like.
“Every day, there’s probably going to be a problem that pops up,” Randy said. “Don’t get discouraged by it. You can fix it; you are the route rep, and you can take care of it and make the customer happy.”
That steady, people-first mindset has defined Randy’s career from day one. It is why his customers trust him, why his coworkers respect him, and why his impact continues to carry throughout CITY.
Congratulations, Randy, on 25 years at CITY. Your dedication, leadership, and pride in serving others have made a lasting difference across CITY Laundering Co.