We are thrilled to announce that our Vice President, Michelle Munvez Klein, has been named an inaugural 2026 Honoree of Maintenance Sales News’ “Women to Recognize in Jan/San” award. This brand-new accolade celebrates the visionary trailblazers who are actively shaping, evolving, and elevating the future of the sanitary supply industry.
For those who know Michelle and the deep-rooted values of Chemcraft, this recognition is a beautiful validation of a lifelong dedication to service, education, and partnership.
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A Lifelong Legacy in Facility Maintenance
To truly understand Michelle’s impact as a third-generation leader, you have to look back to where it all began. Michelle didn’t just inherit a seat at the table; she literally grew up in the heart of the family business.
At just six years old, she could be found in the warehouse, meticulously placing “Reorder from Chemcraft Industries” stickers onto rolls of tape. By the time she hit her teenage years, her education in the industry expanded to riding along on local sales calls, mastering the company’s internal computer systems, and answering client phone calls.
Today, she balances that rich historical perspective with forward-thinking strategy, helping to guide a 75+ year family business into a modern, indispensable strategic partner for facilities throughout Chicagoland.
Witnessing a Generational Shift
The jan/san industry has evolved dramatically over the last few decades, and Michelle has had a front-row seat to that transformation. Reflecting on her journey in her Maintenance Sales News feature interview, she noted just how much the landscape has opened up for a new generation of leaders:
“When I attended my first ISSA Show at the age of 17, I remember thinking to myself, ‘There are no women or young people here.’ That has changed a lot over the years. Today, I see so many successful women involved in this industry.”
Michelle isn’t just a witness to that progress—she is an active driver of it.
A Relationship-First Approach to Modern Leadership
At Chemcraft, Michelle has championed a leadership style rooted in education, standardized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and peer-to-peer relationships. Her approach is characterized by a unique ability to connect with stakeholders at every single level of an organization:
- Bridging the Gap: She collaborates seamlessly with facility administrators, procurement teams, and security personnel to understand the high-level operational goals of a building.
- Empowering Frontline Teams: Crucially, she places immense value on the frontline staff—the individuals pushing the carts, operating the equipment, and maintaining the floors.
- Hands-On Education: Michelle’s passion lies in demystifying facility care. As she beautifully summarized in her feature, “I really enjoy standing in front of people and showing them a product or cleaning procedure.”
By focusing on clear training and robust SOPs, Michelle ensures that Chicagoland facilities aren’t just buying products—they are implementing sustainable, efficient, and highly effective cleaning programs.
Thank You to Our Community
This award is a celebration of hard work, but it is also a reflection of a supportive industry network. The entire Chemcraft team extends our deepest gratitude to Maintenance Sales News, the award sponsor Aluf Plastics, and our incredible clients and partners across the Midwest who trust us with their facilities every day.
Please join us in congratulating Michelle Munvez Klein on this well-deserved, trailblazing honor!
Want to learn how Michelle and the Chemcraft team can help elevate your facility’s maintenance program with standardized training and strategic product selection? Contact our Chicagoland facility experts today.