As the company grew, Hughes Customat, Inc. moved locations a couple of times to accommodate their growing client’s needs and wants from a mat service company.
Hughes Customat, Inc. was the first dedicated local company to specialize in mat service; and as of today, we are still completely dedicated to providing up-to-date mat services.
We continue to take pride in our work and provide excellent mat service to approximately 2000 properties and businesses and continue to be operated by members of Gene’s family.
BIOS
Becky Hughes
As a member of the Hughes family, Becky grew up learning the business. After graduating from the University of Kansas with her Environmental Studies degree and after finishing her MBA in 1999 from Lindenwood University, Becky began working full time at Hughes Customat Inc. She already had experience in the mat business because she worked summers throughout high school and college. Plus, it is a family business, so she actually started much younger when she learned to fold shop towels when she was only five years old.
Here at Hughes Customat Inc, Becky manages most of the commercial real estate accounts; as well as, some of the larger, high profile accounts. With the assistance of the entire team, Becky oversees day to day operations, vendor relations, customer relations, budgeting and business development. She is also somewhat involved in sales; however it is no longer her full time job.
Throughout her career, Becky has completed extra certification courses and is a member of many organizations within the industry so that she can continue to ensure the company provides the best service possible to its customers and community. In 2006, Becky completed the Executive Management Institute (EMI), which is a 5 year education program for the industrial laundry industry. Becky is also a Board Member of the Independent Textile Rental Association from 2010-2019 and is a BOMA St. Louis Board Member, 2018-2019. Throughout her years in this industry, Becky has also developed and cultivated relationships with many business leaders throughout the St. Louis, Missouri area.
Hughes Customat Inc is Becky’s family’s business. She loves the relationships she has developed over the years with the customers, vendors and employees. This company began when Becky was a toddler, and truth be told, she never saw herself making the mat business her career. However, after six years in other industries, Becky came to work for Hughes Customat, Inc. While she only intended to stay a short time and then move on, it quickly became a more permanent job when she discovered she enjoyed the mat business! She had no idea she would enjoy it as much as she does!
Contact Becky at bhughes@hughescustomat.com
Matt Hughes
Matt Hughes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Photography from Webster University in 2000. He began working full time at Hughes Customat, Inc. since 2007, but has spent many summers as a teenager working in the laundry department and delivering mats. Now, he handles Graphic Design and Marketing, and Customer Relations; however, you may see him driving a truck and delivering mats every now and then.
Matt is responsible for logo mat designs, creating marketing materials, when needed he is a delivery driver, and is a company representative for IREM and BOMA. He is also involved in projects related to our internal operations. He enjoys working at Hughes Customat, Inc. because he is continuing his family legacy.
“Being a part of the business my father started 45 years ago is a very special thing and I am very proud to be a part of a family business.”
When Matt isn’t at Hughes Customat, Inc., you can find him spending time with his wife and son. He also has a small screen printing operation and enjoys creating t-shirts and posters. Matt also enjoys Architectural Photography and has been featured in several publications. Besides creating visual art, Matt also plays the pedal steel guitar, and you can catch him playing around the area with several bands. Matt has also appeared on several recordings playing the steel guitar!
Contact Matt at mhughes@hughescustomat.com
Gene Hughes
St. Louis native, Gene Hughes, founded Hughes Customat, Inc. in 1974. When the company first began Gene was responsible for not only selling the services and delivering the mats, but would then go home at night and clean them to be delivered to customers. These days, Gene advises management, checks the numbers and makes sure the entire operation is running smoothly and efficiently.
During his professional career, Gene was one of the founding members of the Dust Control Association (DCA), which is now a part of the Independent Textile Rental Association (ITRA). He also served as one of the first presidents of the Dust Control Association from 1986-1987. He also built a regionally recognizable name in “The Mat Man”.
In Gene’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife on their boat in Kentucky. The two of them enjoy taking several excursions each year. They also thoroughly enjoy spending time with their granddaughter and grandson and make a point to spend as much time as possible with them.
OUR TEAM
Patti Lawson – Service Manager
Patti Lawson is our Service Manager and has been working at Hughes Customat for 27 years! Here at Hughes Customat, Patti is responsible for managing office and route personnel, schedules route deliveries and handles any and all HR issues within the company. She thoroughly enjoys working at Hughes Customat because it is a friendly environment where you feel appreciated.
In her spare time, Patti enjoys reading, playing with her dogs and all things related to wine.
Contact Patti at plawson@hughescustomat.com
David Akers – Sales and Business Development
Dave Akers has been with Hughes Customat, Inc. for 15 years. He is responsible for Sales, Business Development and Relationship Management. This means he is responsible for finding new business, managing some of the larger accounts that have multiple locations (hospitals, financial institutions, and large industrial facilities), and fills in with deliveries when it is needed.
Dave has enjoyed working at Hughest Customat, Inc., because it’s a family owned business with a laid back atmosphere. He enjoys that no two days are alike. And he says his boss is the BEST!
In his free time, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife and two beautiful, but busy, teenage daughters. He also enjoys motorcycles, baseball, auto racing and concerts. He also belongs to a gun club and practices target shooting whenever he can!
Contact David at dakers@hughescustomat.com
Chris Nanney – Route Supervisor and Trainer
Chris Nanney has worked as Hughes Customat, Inc. for three years and is currently the Route/Service Supervisor and Trainer.
As a Route and Service Supervisor and Trainer, Chris is responsible for training new hires, accompanying route representatives on delivery routes to ensure customer service, seek potential business growth and familiarize himself with delivery stops. He also maintains communication with route representatives, service manager and plant manager regarding product concerns or changes to customer accounts.
Hughes Customat, Inc, is a play Chris enjoys working at because it is a local, family owned business. The company has provided Chris with the opportunities to continue to work his way up in the company.
When Chris isn’t at Hughes Customat, Inc, he is spending time with his wife and their children; even when they are crazy! He also enjoys playing music, even though he hasn’t had much time to play recently.
Contact Chris Nanney at cnanney@hughescusomat.com
OFFICE STAFF
Laura has been working at Hughes Customat, Inc. since 2012. She is responsible for the company’s accounts receivable.
Betty is responsible for pay, general reporting and route development.