Heartland Carwash Association adds Mike Jorgensen to its board

The Heartland Carwash Association has named Mike Jorgensen, a sales manager at Autowash Systems and XpresWash Systems, to its board of directors. Jorgensen carries more than 25 years of professional car wash experience across both operations and equipment sales, according to reporting from Professional Carwashing & Detailing.

The Des Moines, Iowa based association said Jorgensen's industry relationships and broad perspective will support its board as it works to expand educational programming and member engagement.

A career spanning operations and sales

Before joining Autowash Systems, Jorgensen spent 18 years in the petroleum sector. That included a decade with Holiday Stationstores, now Circle K Northern Tier, where he served as car wash category manager and oversaw operations and growth strategy for one of the region's largest convenience store car wash programs.

In his current role, Jorgensen works with car wash owners and operators across the Midwest, helping them develop wash solutions and build their businesses. His experience on both the operator and supplier sides of the industry gives him a view that the association expects to draw on.

Kristen Corbisiero, HCA's executive director and publisher, said the group was excited to welcome Jorgensen to the board and pointed to his experience, leadership and interest in supporting car wash professionals. She tied his appointment to the association's plans to grow its educational offerings and strengthen ties with members.

What the board role involves

Jorgensen said his reason for joining stems from a desire to give back to the industry and to strengthen the association for both current and future members. He plans to share his knowledge and collaborate with fellow board members on the group's resources and networking programs.

As a director, Jorgensen will help shape the association's strategic direction while supporting its educational initiatives, networking events, membership growth and its annual Product Show.

Why it matters for operators

Regional associations like HCA function as a practical resource for independent and multi-site operators who need training, peer connections and vendor access without the scale of national events. Board appointments signal where a group intends to focus, and Jorgensen's dual background in convenience store car wash operations and equipment sales points to programming that speaks to both sides of running a wash.

For Midwest operators, the appointment is worth noting because board members often steer the education sessions, networking events and the Product Show that members rely on for buying decisions and benchmarking. Operators who belong to HCA, or who are weighing membership, may find the coming year's programming shaped by leaders who understand equipment purchasing and category management firsthand. Staying engaged with an active regional association remains one of the lower-cost ways for a single site or small chain to keep pace with equipment trends, labor practices and marketing tactics used by larger competitors.