Our Team

Tom Austin, CEO

Tom began his career working in the Industrial Laundry business in 1994, and has served as CEO since purchasing the Linen Service Division from Universal Uniforms, Inc. in 2002. He is responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction, maintaining the financial strength, developing the Leadership Team, Human Resource oversight, Marketing and Acquisitions.

He has lead the company in acquiring new business and building relationships with existing customers through consistent and friendly service. Under his leadership, Universal has purchased their largest competitor, managed all the land and property, and built a new state of the art laundry facility that opened in 2008. In 2012 Tom acquired American Towel and Rental Service, located in Nashville, Tennessee. American Towel and Rental Service was the perfect addition to the Universal Linen family, with small town values, and a desire to please their customers, there couldn’t be a better match. Tom led the company rebranded effort with focus and tag on “Every Piece Counts” to redefine our perception and commitment to our team members, our customers, and our community. Recently, the green movement is defining the company as one of the largest recyclers in the community. His focus is maintaining a safe, clean, work environment for our team members, as well as long term customer loyalty by delivering clean, pressed linen, towels, mats, and garments, on time and complete.

Tom graduated from Denison University in 1989 with a B.S. in Geology, and attended Graduate School at The University of Oklahoma. He remains active as a member of the Young Presidents Organization serving in a leadership capacity at the local, regional and international level and is a proud member of the International Board of Directors. He also serves as a Director and on the Executive Committee for Eclipse Bank in Louisville, a Board Member of the American Red Cross, Louisville Chapter, and serves as the Vice Chair of the Board for the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District. Tom travels frequently and globally for YPO, and in his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, sailing on Lake Michigan and golfing.

Sergio Farinas, President & COO

Sergio joined the leadership team at Universal Linen Service in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer and was promoted to President in 2019.  With over 25 years of operations management experience in the automotive industry, he was able to successfully transition to the laundry industry.  Sergio has focused on creating and improving management systems and his varied background brings a new perspective to the management team.   Sergio attended the Rochester Institute of Technology and received an undergraduate and Master of Science degree in Applied Business Management.  In his spare time, he enjoys time at the lake.

Robyn Wigginton, Office Manager/Controller

Robyn Wigginton started with Universal Uniforms in 1989 as the Executive Assistant to the owner, Bill Tate. Robyn supported the entire Universal staff for 14 years as well as managing the marketing and telecommunication efforts. In 2002, when Tom Austin purchased the Linen Division from Bill Tate, Robyn joined Tom as the office manager. Robyn has worked for the family for 28 years, and continues to serve as office manager/controller, purchasing agent, lead on technological projects and assistant to Tom. Robyn graduated from Louisville College of Medical Careers and worked for Baptist Healthcare Organization as a medical assistant and administrative assistant before joining Universal.

Karen Hill, Customer Relations Manager

Karen Hill has been a part of the team at Universal since July of 2003. Karen stared in the linen industry with Spalding’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service in December of 1988 giving her 22 years of experience in this industry. Although Karen has worked many positions her primary focus over the past 16 years has been in customer service. Karen is in contact daily with our customers and provides vital information to our Management, Production and Sales teams. Because of her experience she does a variety of task daily such as being the first responder on the phone, to data entry and scheduling all new installs and working closely with our sales staff, to generating artwork and order all customer logo mats and garments, to setting up customers on our on-line ordering system, and communicating customer needs to our productions staff. Karen works hard daily aside Doug Ramsey and the team at Universal to provide the highest level of customer service possible to our customers as we strive for excellence daily. Karen Hill is a graduate for DuPont Manual High School and has an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Sullivan University.

Keith Bell, Accounts Receivable Supervisor

Keith Bell has been working in this industry for 40+ years and has held multiple positions within our company. He started as a Route Service Manager in the Uniform Division and was then promoted to Service Manager. After several years as a Service Manager Keith was promoted to his current position as a Accounts Receivable Supervisor.