Management Bios

Sujata grew up immersed in the world of GBS Linens. From her teenage years working in every department of the family business to becoming Chairman, Sujata’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence. After earning her Bachelor’s in Economics and later her MBA from the University of California, Irvine, she helped lead GBS into a new era of growth and innovation.

Her leadership philosophy “Be strong mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially” guides both her business decisions and her community involvement. Sujata is deeply committed to family, personal growth, and community service, balancing her time between GBS, volunteering, and life with her husband, two children, and their labradoodle, Sidd.

With a career spanning technology and consulting at companies like Symantec, Nortel Networks, Deloitte, and Hewlett-Packard, Ashesh brings a data-driven and innovative approach to GBS Linens. Since joining in 2006, his leadership as CEO has focused on scaling operations, embracing technology, and strengthening GBS as a national leader in event linens.

Known for his problem-solving mindset, Ashesh lives by Henry Ford’s quote: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t…you’re right.” When he’s not leading GBS, Ashesh enjoys storytelling, documentaries, and time with his wife, Sujata, their two children, and family dog.

Satish Natarajan is an accomplished finance executive with experience at Aramark, Deloitte Consulting, and RNDC. With dual degrees in engineering and business, along with an MBA from the University of Michigan, Satish blends analytical precision with strategic vision to strengthen GBS’s financial foundation.

Outside of work, Satish is an avid tennis player, golfer, and yoga enthusiast. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter and is inspired by the belief that intention shapes destiny.

Janet Johnson joined GBS Linens in 1999, bringing with her a strong passion for sales and building relationships. She began her career as an Account Executive in the San Diego/Riverside area and was promoted to Senior West Coast Account Executive in 2010. In 2012, Janet advanced to West Coast Regional Sales Manager, overseeing Northern California, Nevada, and Arizona while continuing to manage her own territory. In January 2020, she was promoted to Director of Sales.

Prior to joining GBS Linens, Janet spent over 10 years in the fashion industry and 8 years in the cosmetics industry, working with high-profile brands including Nike, Vera Wang, Vogue, Nordstrom, and Revlon. Her career provided extensive worldwide travel opportunities, including time living in Tokyo, Japan. Outside of work, Janet enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and gardening.

Maupo is a Marketing Manager and CRM Strategist with a strong focus on data-driven growth and customer-centric strategy. He specializes in building and executing integrated marketing programs that align brand, demand generation, and customer experience to support sales performance and revenue growth.

With experience living and working in the United States, Malawi, Switzerland, and Norway, Maupo brings a global perspective and collaborative mindset to his work. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and an MBA from Hawaii Pacific University, where he also cultivated a passion for creativity and storytelling.

Outside the office, Maupo enjoys traveling, photography, cooking, and spending quality time with his family and his dog, Kobe. His curiosity and creativity influence both his personal interests and his professional approach to marketing.

Mike’s journey to leadership has been shaped by adaptation, resilience, and an unwavering belief in hard work. Arriving in the United States from Latin America, he faced significant cultural, technological, and economic challenges that tested both him and his family early on. Those experiences reframed his understanding of “luck,” inspiring a mindset rooted in preparation, perseverance, and opportunity.

At his core, Mike believes that success is earned. While few are born with extraordinary talent, he maintains that mastery is developed through consistent effort and a willingness to learn. He views technology not as a threat, but as a powerful tool, one that, when paired with skill and discipline, amplifies human potential rather than replaces it. This philosophy has guided his approach to leadership and innovation throughout his career.

Since joining GBS Linens in 2004, Mike has embedded these principles into the company’s culture. His influence is reflected across the organization, in its operations, its people, and its long-term vision. GBS Linens has been both a professional home and a foundation for personal growth, allowing Mike to develop as a leader, community member, and family man.

Through years of challenges and change, Mike’s belief in preparation and hard work has remained constant. Today, he considers himself fortunate, not by chance, but by the discipline and dedication that turned opportunity into lasting success.

Patty has led the HR department at GBS Linens since 2013, improving Employee Relations through coaching and employee development. She’s passionate about helping people succeed and finds the most reward in seeing employees grow within the company. Her commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture has played a key role in strengthening the GBS Linens team and supporting the company’s long-term success.

Her Human Resources career spans multiple industries, from facility management (Aramark) and real estate (SunCal Companies, MBK Real Estate) to manufacturing (ITT Industries/Flojet). One of her proudest accomplishments was earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Management (University of Phoenix) and Certificate in Human Resources (UC Irvine) while working full-time and raising a son.

Born in Nicaragua but a self-proclaimed OC Girl, Patty has lived in Southern California most of her life and can’t imagine being far from the beach. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, jazz festivals, rooting for the USC Trojans, Lakers, and The Dodgers; and spending time with friends and family, especially visits to Connecticut to see her son, daughter-in-law, precious Hobbie (dog), and her two grandkids who call her “Nana.”

José Vicente joins GBS as the Plant Manager of our Orlando facility, bringing over 30 years of experience in operations and plant leadership. Throughout his career, José has built a reputation for elevating performance, fostering strong teams, and driving continuous improvement across production and workflow management.

In his role, José focuses on efficiency, quality, and collaboration, ensuring that the Orlando plant consistently delivers exceptional service to clients across the region. His expertise in optimizing operations and leading high-performing teams makes him a key asset to GBS’s growing Florida operations.

José is passionate about strengthening service delivery and creating an environment where both employees and clients thrive. We are excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to the positive impact his leadership will bring.

Joe Nicolosi brings more than 20 years of experience in warehouse logistics to his role at GBS Linens. He joined the team in September 2007 and has since overseen operations at the Hayward facility, playing a key role in the growth and success of GBS Linens’ Northern California operations.

Known for his strong work ethic and hands-on leadership style, Joe is never afraid to take on a challenge. Whether supporting customer service, maintaining facilities, or jumping in a truck to make deliveries, he leads by example and is always willing to do what it takes to support the team and serve customers. His dedication and versatility have helped build a resilient and efficient operation over the years.

Outside of work, Joe enjoys working on his truck, fishing in the outdoors, and spending time watching or reading documentaries. Above all, he is motivated by his two daughters, who inspire him to give his best each day. Joe lives by the belief, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them,” a mindset that guides both his professional and personal life.

With more than 25 years of management experience, Nikki is a results-driven leader known for delivering efficient, customer-focused solutions that drive sales and support scalable growth. She thrives in collaborative environments, working closely across business functions and with vendor and partner relationships to secure positive, profitable outcomes through thoughtful decision-making and negotiation.

Since joining GBS Linens in 2018, Nikki’s positive attitude, strong work ethic, and attention to detail have played a key role in the continued success and growth of the company’s Arizona operations. Her ability to balance operational excellence with relationship-building makes her a trusted and effective leader.

Outside of work, Nikki enjoys crafting and creating thoughtful gifts to brighten someone’s day, a reflection of her favorite quote, “Find the beauty in every day.” She also cherishes time spent with her husband, three sons, and her two dogs, Cody and Paisley.

Mike joined GBS Linens in 2007 with an open mind and a strong enthusiasm for new challenges. Coming from a background outside of the textile industry, the transition was significant, but it allowed him to bring fresh perspectives and proven experience into the organization.

Prior to GBS Linens, Mike spent more than 17 years working in the medical field and logistics as a Materials Manager. One of his most notable accomplishments was leading the setup of the stockroom for Baylor College of Medicine within the Texas Medical Center. Mike implemented organized inventory systems and effective reorder points to ensure critical supplies were always available for maintenance and emergency situations. These improvements enhanced operational reliability while reducing departmental costs.

Known for his hands-on, self-driven approach, Mike has built his career by learning through experience and problem-solving. Mike lives by the quote, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” which continues to guide how Mike approaches challenges and opportunities.

Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time outdoors hunting and fishing, attending sporting events, and relaxing with a good movie alongside his wife and their three four-legged family members.

Araceli Rodriguez is the Office Manager for GBS Linens and has been with the company for 18 years. Over the course of her career, she has held various roles, including Customer Service, HR Assistant, Payroll, and Accounts Payable. This broad experience has given her a strong understanding of company operations, and she takes pride in supporting both employees and leadership while ensuring day-to-day processes run efficiently.”

“Marlene joined GBS Linens mid-year in 2025 with a strong desire to understand the company’s operational flow and how each part of the business works together. From the outset, she was welcomed by a team that placed confidence and trust in her abilities, an environment that has made her experience both motivating and rewarding.

Her professional journey began in 2015 at an Amazon Fulfillment Center, where she spent five years in progressive leadership roles. During this time, Marlene advanced into management and gained invaluable experience under the guidance of inspiring leaders. In 2018 and 2019, she was selected to join Amazon’s away teams to help launch new facilities in Houston, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona, opportunities that challenged her both personally and professionally while balancing life as a parent.

In 2022, Marlene transitioned into the laundry industry, where she began learning the business from the ground up and developing a deep understanding of operational excellence and industry impact.

Outside of work, Marlene enjoys spending quality time with her children and partner, exploring nature, traveling, and discovering new places centered around great food. She is also passionate about creating social media content, connecting with a global audience to explore topics of spirituality, personal growth, and self-evolution.”

Aaron J. Rodriguez joined GBS Linens in 2019, bringing with him a passion for sales and building lasting relationships. He began his career at GBS as a member of the Inside Sales team, later helping grow and support the Customer Service team, and today plays a key role in Business Development across the West Coast.

Throughout his time at GBS, Aaron has developed a proven track record of building long-lasting client relationships while remaining a dedicated team player. He enjoys creating new opportunities, strengthening existing partnerships, and working alongside his teammates to help both GBS and its clients succeed.

Outside of work, Aaron enjoys spending time with his family and taking his dog, Lana, on adventures, Lana has become a familiar part of the GBS family herself! He also enjoys golfing, running, and cheering on the San Diego Padres!

Lauren Hutchens is a Growth & Account Manager, supporting event professionals throughout the East Coast and helping them find the right linen solutions for their needs. With a background spanning several industries, including financial sales and sales leadership with a Fortune 500 company, Lauren brings a relationship-focused approach to understanding client needs and finding solutions that work. After previously working for GBS prior to 2020, she returned in 2025 and has enjoyed reconnecting with the industry, building relationships throughout Central Florida and the East Coast, and helping clients bring their events to life.

A Florida girl through and through, Lauren was born and raised in the Sunshine State and loves spending time outdoors. Outside of work, you’ll find her on the soccer field cheering on her young son, in the kitchen cooking, or spending time with her husband, son, and their mini Australian Shephard, Leo.

One mindset Lauren carries into her personal and professional life is “intent vs impact”. She believes it’s important to not only to consider our intentions, but also how our words and actions affect the people around us.

Lucia Garcia has been a valued member of GBS Linens since 2018, beginning her career at the Anaheim location as a Warehouse Associate. Through her dedication to exceptional customer service, leadership, and continuous growth, she advanced to Customer Experience Specialist, Customer Experience Lead, and now serves as Customer Experience Supervisor.

In her current role, Lucia is committed to delivering outstanding customer experiences while supporting and developing her team. Her hands-on experience across multiple areas of the business gives her a well-rounded perspective and a strong passion for helping both customers and colleagues succeed.

Outside of work, Lucia enjoys spending quality time with her son and family, discovering new restaurants, relaxing at the beach, and unwinding with a good binge-worthy series alongside her partner.