EXCEL CARWASH, INCORPORATED-2018 LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
by C. Wayne Mitchell, Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce
William Fajardo formed Excel Carwash, Inc. in 1991, and in 1992, signed a three year Lease/Purchase Agreement for Excel’s first Carwash location in Nacogdoches. He executed a total remodel of the facility and implemented a management system rooted in providing superior customer service. He was able to quickly turn the operation around and double sales revenue by the end of the first year, and tripling them in year two. This enabled the young company to obtain its first loan and purchase the business outright. From there,  in 1995,  William made his foray into the oil change business by converting an existing three-bay detail center on the site into a two-bay Quick lube with the idea being that he could now market and offer his customers a free carwash with an oil change service. 
With a successful model in place, William devised a growth strategy that would seek opportunities to build and/or purchase existing locations within a two to three hour driving distance form Nacogdoches. 
In 1997, He negotiated the purchase of the Chestnut Village Carwash & Quick Lube, located in Lufkin, Texas.  This location includes a large full-service carwash, a detail center, and a four bay quick lube.  It had been in business for thirteen years. In a span of four years, Excel was able to increase this store's revenue by more than double. 
By year 2000, William recognized the need to compile a management team in order to facilitate any future growth. A team he could train and instill his management philosophy and high standards for customer service. He hired four key people: Jose Gonzales, general manager of full-service car washes, Alex Ramirez, general manager of Express Exterior Tunnel Carwashes, Maxie Poling, office manager, and Chuck Lafferty, director of quick lube operations, whom since in 2018 was promoted to COO of the company.
When visiting Excel Carwash and Quick Lube you see a winning formula of outstanding service and customer satisfaction. "They do everything short of rebuilding your engine," C. Wayne Mitchell said, President of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce. "It is amazing how fast the Quick Lube and Carwash team members jump into action." Their Quick Lube locations offer a free carwash when purchasing an oil change service.
Today, Excel Carwash, Inc. operates seven tunnel carwashes, and eleven Valvoline Express Care quick lube locations. Four of these locations are in Nacogdoches with the others in Tyler, Longview, Lufkin, Jasper, Woodville, and Beaumont.   The company currently employs around 160 employees, with 50 to 55 of these jobs being located in Nacogdoches County. The company has always been committed to giving back to the community and has supported numerous charities and local causes throughout the years.
Owner William Fajardo is an American success story. His family emigrated from Cuba when he was 6 months old to flee communism. Today, he is the owner of a major business that employs hundreds of people and provides outstanding services to his customers.
William has been a member of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years, is a member of Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO), and the Nacogdoches Rotary Club. He also served as past president in 2008-2009 of the Southwest Carwash Association (a large four state association with 1,300 members).  William and his wife, Deborah, attend Grace Bible Church, where William has served as an Elder on and off over the last 15 years. They have two children- Christina (28yrs.old) and Christopher (26).
"Overall, I firmly believe that our success is based on our ability to support our Mission Statement" Fajardo said. The Mission Statement is as follows: To provide our customers with exceptional products and services, to do so in a timely manner, to treat them with a servant's attitude, and to treat our employees with the highest respect.
Aside from his management team, William credits many other people when discussing his business success, starting with his wife, Deborah, for her sacrifices to the family during the early years that required him to work 16 hour/ seven days a week. He also credits close friends and Godly businessmen like Bud Wright, Bailey Renolds and Milt Dodson for having an impact in his life.
The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to award Excel Carwash, Inc. the 2018 Chamber of Commerce Large Business of the Year Award sponsored by R&K Distributors, Inc.!

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C. Wayne Mitchell is President and CEO of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce.