ATLANTA — The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) recently presented Donald C. Fawcett, owner of Dependable Cleaners in Quincy, Mass., with its Diamond Achievement Award, the Institute’s highest honor.

DLI President Alan P. Johnson III made the presentation following a DLI educational session here during Clean 2015.

Fawcett served as DLI’s District 1 director in 2000-2004, DLI president in 2003-2004, and chairman in 2004-2005.

The Diamond Achievement Award recognizes excellence across all aspects of the cleaning industry, and has only been awarded “a handful of times” in DLI’s 107-year history, the Institute says.

Fawcett earned an engineering management degree from Norwich University in 1948 and served in the U.S. Army before eventually joining the drycleaning business started by his father. Today, Dependable Cleaners employs 230 people in 16 locations.

Over the years, Fawcett made time to serve the industry through his membership and service in organizations like the Varsity Group and the International Drycleaners Congress.

He remains involved in the family business, but his daughter, Christa Hagearty, directly oversees daily operations. This, according to Fawcett, allows him more time to enjoy his family (including 12 grandchildren) as well as maritime pursuits such as racing and competitive sport fishing.

In presenting the clear, diamond-shaped award to Fawcett, Johnson cited his leadership as being an inspiration to the industry as a whole.

“Don has always been very encouraging to newcomers in the industry and has always had time to help colleagues,” Johnson says.

After the presentation, attendees flocked to the podium to greet Fawcett and offer their congratulations to him and to his family.