HCSG was founded in 1976 by Dan McCartney with $10,000 in start-up capital and a few dedicated associates and was taken public in 1983. It is a truly impressive entrepreneurial success story. Dan graduated from Villanova University with a Business Degree in 1973. In his self-deprecating way, Dan claims that his academic record left much to be desired and looming student loan payments led him to a job with a janitorial company in the Philadelphia area. One thing Dan has certainly never lacked is an unparalleled drive to succeed and a work ethic that is second to none. He immersed himself into the new job opportunity, gaining exposure to every aspect of the company as a means to learn all functions of the business. While the healthcare market was not especially appealing to the principal of that company, Dan recognized it as not only significantly underserved, but also growing rapidly. More specifically, he saw an opportunity to create an outsourced model of providing housekeeping and laundry services to the long-term care industry. His aim was to professionalize what had been a service that was traditionally viewed through a janitorial lens.

The initial seed money funded the start of services with a single facility in Atlantic City, NJ, in 1977. With a resolute commitment to training and developing managers, Dan steadily grew the young company from a single facility into the successful national company operating in 48 states that it is today. He was always quick to deflect praise by pointing out that he was fortunate to work with so many good people whose talents very much supplemented his own. Just as impressive as his early vision and drive is that Dan evolved his personal skill set from being a young risk-taking entrepreneur to the Chairman and CEO of a publicly traded, multi-billion-dollar enterprise at the time of his retirement. He always claimed that his sole objective was simply making an honest living to support his family. But the scores of current and former employees who would speak glowingly about the ways that Dan has impacted their careers and lives would suggest that it ultimately became much more than that.

Whether it was in creating an outsourced market niche, professionalizing a disorganized job function, moderating heated discussions in the boardroom, or unwinding after a tough day with an ice-cold Heineken, Dan has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on an industry and upon the company that he created.