For more than three decades, David Murphy has been building both a successful contract cleaning company and a reputation as one of BSCAI's most engaged volunteers. To anyone who has known him since he was a young boy, it wasn’t surprising that David Murphy grew up to found and run a commercial cleaning company that has become recognized throughout the Southeast for cost-effective cleaning and facility maintenance.
Murphy grew up in the cleaning industry, working for his father’s janitorial business in roles both small, and eventually big, from the age of nine. Today, he is president and CEO of Supreme Maintenance Organization (SMO), headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina.
SMO serves businesses and organizations throughout the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. On the corporate side, the firm offers a full range of cleaning services. For schools, colleges, and universities, it creates customized custodial programs with the goal of creating the healthiest learning environments possible for students and faculty. And for industrial properties, SMO offers programs that take into account hazardous materials wherever applicable.
Building a Business Around Its People
Murphy, a Certified Building Service Executive (CBSE) since 1996, says it’s all about providing the best customer service, creating jobs for talented individuals, and fostering the kind of workplace that gets many of them to stay long term.
“I’m most proud of the jobs we have created and the opportunities we have given people to support their families, develop their skills, and advance their careers,” Murphy says. “Our people make SMO special,” he adds. “We are fortunate to have dedicated, long-tenured team members, including many in key leadership roles. I believe our strong culture and employee engagement help us retain great people and serve our customers well.”
Why BSCAI Became a Career-Changing Investment
Murphy has come a long way since graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1988. While he has drawn much inspiration from his father, it’s Murphy’s ties to BSCAI for the past 30-plus years that has matured him as a leader and given him a voice in the industry at large.
He has served on several BSCAI committees, co-chaired the redesign of the CBSE Certification Program, co-developed BSCAI’s COVID‑19 Disinfection & Safety Course/Certification. He is currently in his second term on the association’s Board of Directors. The co-author of “From Rags to More Rags” says he particularly enjoys mentoring contractors who “want to build strong, scalable businesses.”
Murphy says his service is a way to pay back what BSCAI has done for him in his career. “BSCAI's educational opportunities have been invaluable to me, and the relationships have meant even more,” he says. “Having colleagues and mentors I can call on for advice and learning from those who have faced the same challenges has made a tremendous difference. SMO would not be where it is today without BSCAI!”
Recognizing his dedication, BSCAI honored Murphy in 2025 with the Walter L. Cook Award for Distinguished Service. The award, which has been presented annually since 1972, is named after a prominent former association executive vice president. It is awarded to an association member who’s made outstanding contributions in furthering the programs and positive image of BSCAI and the contract cleaning profession.
“I was both surprised and humbled,” Murphy says of winning the honor. “I never expected to receive this award, especially because I feel I have gained far more from BSCAI than I have given. It is truly an honor.”
The award has only compelled Murphy to reach out even more to those young in the business who can benefit from BSCAI as he and his company has. “My advice is to get involved, starting with an in-person event if possible,” he says. “Attending my first Contracting Success conference in 1993 changed our business. Meeting and learning from people who were leading multimillion-dollar companies opened my eyes to what was possible.”
Entrepreneurship Requires Optimism
After more than 30 years in the business, Murphy continues to look ahead. Asked about the months to come, he points to the optimism that comes with entrepreneurship.
“I believe optimism is part of being an entrepreneur,” he says. “Inflation and rising labor costs remain challenges, but we will continue to adapt, look for opportunities, and pursue our growth goals!”