Photography by G. Eddie Patten
Emmanuel Irono
President, Motir Services, Inc.
Copa Style Magazine's 2019 "Man of the Year"
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine's CEO/Editor-in-Chief
Contributing Photographer: G. Eddie Patten
Media PR Credit: Dr. Renee' Allen
Copa Style Magazine's CEO/Editor-in-Chief
Contributing Photographer: G. Eddie Patten
Media PR Credit: Dr. Renee' Allen
Photography by G. Eddie Patten
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Copa: Where are you from?
Mr. Irono: I am a Nigerian-born United States Citizen.
Mr. Irono: I am a Nigerian-born United States Citizen.
Copa: Which schools have you attended and the degrees you have acquired?
Mr. Irono: I have been blessed to have a very rich academic background earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina, Elizabeth City and Master of Business Administration in Finance from Morgan State University.
Mr. Irono: I have been blessed to have a very rich academic background earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina, Elizabeth City and Master of Business Administration in Finance from Morgan State University.
Copa: When you were younger, did you display any great skills in working with others?
Mr. Irono: I have always been a very high energy child who was very eager to learn and loved working with others. This same energy is responsible for the 7 profit centers in Motir Services, Inc. My love for people is demonstrated in my engagements with staff in my company, people in my community, leaders in a number of business sectors and government. My greatest love is to see people thrive in each of the following areas – when creating opportunities for my staff, helping the less fortunate by giving them opportunities, training, education, and support. Also influencing those in leadership to be mindful of the less fortunate, the small business or the organizations trying to build up the community.
Mr. Irono: I have always been a very high energy child who was very eager to learn and loved working with others. This same energy is responsible for the 7 profit centers in Motir Services, Inc. My love for people is demonstrated in my engagements with staff in my company, people in my community, leaders in a number of business sectors and government. My greatest love is to see people thrive in each of the following areas – when creating opportunities for my staff, helping the less fortunate by giving them opportunities, training, education, and support. Also influencing those in leadership to be mindful of the less fortunate, the small business or the organizations trying to build up the community.
Copa: At what time did you establish Motir Services Inc. and why? Also, what does Motir mean?
Mr. Irono: Motir Services, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is a small, minority-owned Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) with +12 preference points in the District of Columbia and is an experienced, successful provider of comprehensive support services to our clients.
MOTIR stands for Memory of Theresa Irono Romanus, in honor of my Nigerian Mother and Father. MOTIR was created in 1991 when I knew that I wanted to own my own business. Inspired and driven by purpose, I was able to turn a struggling janitorial services company that I acquired for $10,000.00 into a thriving, successful $30 million dollar profit generator.
Mr. Irono: Motir Services, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is a small, minority-owned Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) with +12 preference points in the District of Columbia and is an experienced, successful provider of comprehensive support services to our clients.
MOTIR stands for Memory of Theresa Irono Romanus, in honor of my Nigerian Mother and Father. MOTIR was created in 1991 when I knew that I wanted to own my own business. Inspired and driven by purpose, I was able to turn a struggling janitorial services company that I acquired for $10,000.00 into a thriving, successful $30 million dollar profit generator.
Copa: In your personal opinion, what makes your company so great in the business of contracting out your services?
Mr. Irono: MOTIR’s services include janitorial, landscaping, facilities maintenance, construction, engineering services, medical staffing, environmental services, IT, moving and logistics support. Under my direction and with the help of others, the company has experienced progressive growth. By implementing my leadership, management and business development strategies, MOTIR has achieved and surpassed sales forecasts, profitability, cash flow, business goals and objectives. However, our people and our processes have been at the core of our successful execution of each well-planned and efficiently managed contract. We have one simple strategic approach to contract execution, “Invest in Our Success!” MOTIR customers benefit from a corporate culture focused on customer satisfaction, dedicated to our brand and committed to exceptional work. This culture is rooted in our years of hands on experiences gleaned during the days of our humble beginning. MOTIR provides the on-boarding, orientation, training, resources, equipment and support necessary to ensure our staff the ability to maintain our high standards in the performance of their duties to achieve success!
Mr. Irono: MOTIR’s services include janitorial, landscaping, facilities maintenance, construction, engineering services, medical staffing, environmental services, IT, moving and logistics support. Under my direction and with the help of others, the company has experienced progressive growth. By implementing my leadership, management and business development strategies, MOTIR has achieved and surpassed sales forecasts, profitability, cash flow, business goals and objectives. However, our people and our processes have been at the core of our successful execution of each well-planned and efficiently managed contract. We have one simple strategic approach to contract execution, “Invest in Our Success!” MOTIR customers benefit from a corporate culture focused on customer satisfaction, dedicated to our brand and committed to exceptional work. This culture is rooted in our years of hands on experiences gleaned during the days of our humble beginning. MOTIR provides the on-boarding, orientation, training, resources, equipment and support necessary to ensure our staff the ability to maintain our high standards in the performance of their duties to achieve success!
Copa: Where is your company's headquarters located?
Mr. Irono: MOTIR’s headquarters is at 1508 East Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20003.
Mr. Irono: MOTIR’s headquarters is at 1508 East Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20003.
Copa: What is your philosophy on how to succeed in business in America?
Mr. Irono: Collaboration, training, education, innovation, and most importantly, good people!
As an integrated facilities management company, our experience successfully delivering a customized array of services to government, military, commercial, and private sector clients rest with our people, partners, processes and performance. Our dedicated, professional and well-trained staff are a direct result of identifying, recruiting, training and retaining the best candidates who were ready, willing and able to serve. By implementing industry best practices, partnering with industry giants and consulting with industry experts, MOTIR has develop evidence-based processes that enables us to provide our clients the highest quality of services. Our customized, needs assessment-based solutions has made us a highly sought resource in the competitive marketplace simply because we deliver.
Mr. Irono: Collaboration, training, education, innovation, and most importantly, good people!
As an integrated facilities management company, our experience successfully delivering a customized array of services to government, military, commercial, and private sector clients rest with our people, partners, processes and performance. Our dedicated, professional and well-trained staff are a direct result of identifying, recruiting, training and retaining the best candidates who were ready, willing and able to serve. By implementing industry best practices, partnering with industry giants and consulting with industry experts, MOTIR has develop evidence-based processes that enables us to provide our clients the highest quality of services. Our customized, needs assessment-based solutions has made us a highly sought resource in the competitive marketplace simply because we deliver.
Copa: Would you please share some information about some charitable organizations that you are supporting?
Mr. Irono: While MOTIR has supported numerous non-profits, churches and non-governmental organizations that are well-known like American Red Cross, Thurgood Marshall and United Way and many that are not known, TIS Foundation (TIS) and TIS’ subsidiary, African Community Bridge Foundation (ACBF) is our life. We recently celebrated 25 years of intentional giving and making a difference in the lives of others through TIS which stands for To Inspire Strong! What began as a mission to bless children has evolved into a powerful, informational force. TIS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Motir Services, Inc., inspires hope, provides resources to help others be strong, and transforms lives. From humble beginnings to impactful, world class programs and collaborative partnerships, TIS Foundation is making a STRONG stand against poverty here in our nation’s capital and abroad. |
Ogechukwu (Ogay) Irono, Founder and President, TIS Foundation
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Copa: How do you feel about being chosen as Copa Style Magazine's 2019 "Man of the Year?"
Mr. Irono: WOW! I am honored, humbled and grateful that the work that I have done, as a Social Entrepreneur along with my wife, Ogay Irono and many others, has built a strong company, provided support for our employees and enabled us to give blessing to under-served communities, is being recognized. The best words are to God be the glory. Thank you for this honor.
Mr. Irono: WOW! I am honored, humbled and grateful that the work that I have done, as a Social Entrepreneur along with my wife, Ogay Irono and many others, has built a strong company, provided support for our employees and enabled us to give blessing to under-served communities, is being recognized. The best words are to God be the glory. Thank you for this honor.
Copa: What does the future hold for Emmanuel Irono and your world of business and philanthropy?
Mr. Irono: At the 25 year mark, both MOTIR and TIS are experiencing a transformation in its next chapter. MOTIR is being elevated from a successful, entrepreneurial small business into an entrepreneurial thinking corporation with an expanded international footprint.Equally, TIS Foundation is making its own transformation from an effective private foundation to a public organization with programs and initiatives in the U.S. and abroad. We know that the continued success of MOTIR will only strengthen our ability to educate and trainingchildren, youth, adults and communities nationally and internationally. Starting with Wards 7 & 8 in Washington, DC, Prince George’s County and Baltimore while strategically planning expansions to Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Houston and Atlanta, TIS Foundation is making a STRONG stand against poverty. From the Enterprise Center, Medical Center and Residential Housing for adults and families to its investments in children and youth, TIS Foundation is committed to a decade of focused, intentional giving to ensure a bright future for those plagued by the generational effects of poverty!
Mr. Irono: At the 25 year mark, both MOTIR and TIS are experiencing a transformation in its next chapter. MOTIR is being elevated from a successful, entrepreneurial small business into an entrepreneurial thinking corporation with an expanded international footprint.Equally, TIS Foundation is making its own transformation from an effective private foundation to a public organization with programs and initiatives in the U.S. and abroad. We know that the continued success of MOTIR will only strengthen our ability to educate and trainingchildren, youth, adults and communities nationally and internationally. Starting with Wards 7 & 8 in Washington, DC, Prince George’s County and Baltimore while strategically planning expansions to Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Houston and Atlanta, TIS Foundation is making a STRONG stand against poverty. From the Enterprise Center, Medical Center and Residential Housing for adults and families to its investments in children and youth, TIS Foundation is committed to a decade of focused, intentional giving to ensure a bright future for those plagued by the generational effects of poverty!
Mr. Irono attending the Richard Wright Black Tie Gala. (Photography by G. Eddie Patten)
~Copa!