PuroClean President & COO honored with global recognition for integrity-driven leadership.

PuroClean is proud to share that President & COO Steve White has been recognized on an international stage, earning the Gold Award for Ethical Leadership of the Year at the 22nd Annual International Business Awards®. This prestigious honor highlights White’s values-driven leadership and the culture of integrity that continues to shape PuroClean’s success.

The International Business Awards are regarded as the world’s premier business awards program, open to organizations of every size and industry. The 2025 competition received more than 3,800 nominations from companies and individuals representing 78 nations and territories.

White’s career has long been grounded in service. From his time as a U.S. Army Captain to decades of leadership in franchising, he has been guided by the principles of integrity, accountability, and teamwork. Since joining PuroClean in 2013, White has rebuilt trust, united teams around a shared vision, and helped drive sustained growth. Under his leadership, the company has doubled its franchise locations and tripled average unit sales.

Reflecting on the recognition, White emphasized that the honor reflects more than his own leadership; it is about the values at the core of PuroClean:

“I’m deeply honored to receive a Gold International Business Award (IBA) for Ethical Leadership in Action in the Ethical Leadership of the Year category at the 22nd Annual International Business Awards®. This recognition reflects PuroClean’s commitment to people-first, values-driven leadership and motivates us to keep building a culture where integrity, teamwork, and service guide everything we do.”

That commitment to integrity and compassion is seen throughout the organization. Mark W. Davis, CEO and Chairman of PuroClean, noted how White’s leadership has set the tone for the entire network:

“Steve’s leadership is rooted in integrity and compassion. He has inspired our entire organization and set a standard of excellence that drives everything we do. We are thrilled to see him recognized on an international stage for these values. This is truly a well-deserved honor.”

White is no stranger to recognition from the International Business Awards. Previous honors include:

In addition to guiding PuroClean’s growth, White has been a consistent voice in the franchising industry. He serves on the International Franchise Association (IFA) Board of Directors, previously chaired the IFA Foundation and VetFran Committee, and helped establish the Franchise Ascension Initiative, all aimed at strengthening responsible franchising and supporting veterans.

This recognition further solidifies PuroClean’s place as a leader not only in property restoration but also in demonstrating how ethical franchising can thrive at scale. Winners of the 2025 International Business Awards will be celebrated at a gala banquet on October 10, 2025, at the Corinthia Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal.

In the News

Steve White’s Gold Award for Ethical Leadership has been featured by leading industry publications:

About PuroClean

PuroClean is a leading, world-class service brand that specializes in water damage remediation, fire and smoke damage mitigation, mold removal, and biohazard clean-up, serving both residential and commercial customers across the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 2001, PuroClean is a fast-growing franchise network of over 500 independently owned and operated locations. Call PuroClean today at (800) 775-7876 or click here to find a location near you.