Board of Directors
Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) is the only independent and impartial institute focused on cleaning and building maintenance research. Its purpose is to improve cleaning and restoration outcomes and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) for all indoor environments. CIRI is a 501.c.3 nonprofit scientific, educational and research institute recognized for its groundbreaking cleaning science and research programs. As such, CIRI serves the dual purpose of serving both the “public good” as well as the cleaning and restoration industries. CIRI does not compete with existing organizations; rather, it serves a unique, complementary role and works with all leading industry groups.
CIRI is a 501.c.3 not-for-profit institute and community. CIRI promotes cleaning science, using unbiased scientific research and data, in the cleaning industry and its affiliations, including disaster restoration. CIRI’s purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of effective cleaning through scientific research. To accomplish this purpose, CIRI:
- Promotes health-based cleaning and infection control.
- Acts as the clearinghouse and central source for objective, peer-reviewed scientific and technical information.
- Facilitates unbiased research and scientific inquiry on cleaning and restoration practices.
- Communicates research findings on effective techniques and practices to achieve healthy building environments.
- Improves public understanding of the impact of cleaning, restoration and building operations and maintenance on public health and hygiene.
Kevin Pearson, is on the Board of Directors both for CIRI and IICRC and a member of the registrant standards committee. Kevin is President of Pearson Carpet Care in Humble, Texas. He is also a Professional Cleaning & Restoration Alliance board member and served on the S100 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Cleaning and S800 Carpet Inspector Standard and Reference Guide revision committees.
Carey Vermeulen, has been a volunteer with the IICRC since 1991 and has served 17 of those years as a Board member, five years as Vice President, and three years as President. Carey has been involved in the development of IICRC/ANSI S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, IICRC/ANSI S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mould Remediation, IICRC/ANSI S100 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Cleaning and was the Chair of the IICRC S300 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Upholstery Cleaning.
Today Carey is among the busiest IICRC instructors averaging over 70 classes a year primarily for the restoration and insurance industries and maintains among the highest student pass rate. Carey continues to volunteer as a public speaker at industry-related events, writes technical articles, and provides consulting services to the restoration, cleaning, and insurance industries.
Greg Whiteley, Ph.D. is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, Australia. He is also an Adjunct Fellow in the School of Medicine at Western Sydney University. Dr. Whiteley is the Executive Chairman of Whiteley Corporation, a manufacturing company that develops and manufactures medical chemistries for Medical Device
reprocessing and healthcare surface cleaning and disinfection. Greg Whiteley has expertise in the measurement of surface hygiene and supervises an extensive collaborative research portfolio into Medical Biofilms and Biofilm Mediated Infections.
Brian Harris is a Regional Manager at Janitronics Facility Services located in Albany, NY. Brian has expertise in quality management systems implementation, including ISO 9001, and full-cycle training programs used to drive process efficiency and productivity improvements. Cleaning for Health is a philosophy pioneered by Jim Harris Sr, Founder and Chairman of CIRI and Janitronics; a philosophy Janitronics lives by.
Ralph Moon, Ph.D. is the Owner of Ralph E. Moon Consulting, Inc. in Tampa, FL. Dr. Moon is a graduate of Western Michigan University (BA Biology) and the University of South Florida (MA Botany, Ph.D. Biology). Dr. Moon’s research interests in moisture exposure studies wood and metal building materials began in 2004. His peer-reviewed papers are diverse and range from cleaning methods for mold-contaminated fabrics to the application of ATP swab tests as a forensic instrument.
Ryan Tasovac, serves as the Senior Vice President of Custodial Services for Peckham, Inc. a social enterprise dedicated to the mission of providing employment and vocational rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities.
Ryan has a proven ability to lead high-performing teams across vast portfolios, some exceeding 62 million square feet. His leadership is grounded in a commitment to operational excellence, uncompromising safety standards, and the cultivation of inclusive work environments.
A dedicated contributor to the advancement of the cleaning industry, Ryan has also lent his expertise as a past board director for the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and as an advisory board member for CloroxPro. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Western Governors University and an Associate in Arts from Wright College.
Richard Shaughnessey, Ph.D. is a world-renowned expert in indoor air quality (IAQ) and the Director of the Indoor Air Quality Research Program at the University of Tulsa. He is internationally recognized in air quality, environmental quality, and measurement systems in buildings and facilities. Dr. Shaughnessy maintains many global research collaborations. He is an officer with ISIAQ and currently serves as president of ISIAQ’s Indoor Air 2024 organizing committee.