Canada's Tom Tallon wins International Carwash Association award

The International Carwash Association (ICA) awarded Tom Tallon with the Emerging Leader award. Tallon, who is director of operations at Calgary-based Dreams Eco Xpress, received the award at The Car Wash Show in Las Vegas, Nev., earlier this month. 

“It was an honour to receive the award,” says Tallon, “It shows that I’m doing something right.” 

Tallon joined the Canadian car wash industry while still in high school, working part time at Dreams’ first site in Okotoks, Alta. He joined with no previous experience in the industry, but says he quickly learned. After high school, Tallon maintained his part time position at Dreams while finishing his apprenticeship hours in mechanics. 

“I went to University and then did some apprenticeship hours, but continued working at Dreams on the weekend,” adds Tallon. 

Once he finished his education, Tallon turned his part-time job into a full-time gig with Dreams, investing in the company and helping open its second location in northeast Calgary, and working closely on the upcoming third location which is set to open in southeast Calgary in the coming weeks. 

Dawning his new title as an “Emerging Leader”, the enthusiastic 20-something-year-old says he wants to see the company grow further. 

“I’d like to further grow the company, that’s kind of my sole position. I want to maintain the quality that we offer as we expand, which I think is a crucial aspect to our business.”

Tallon was featured on the cover of the May/June 2022 issue of Octane magazine.