In 1985, fresh out of Santa Clara University, Ernesto Moreno told his father he would be a janitor.

Armando Moreno had spent 35 years as an educator and school administrator, and he believed deeply in higher education. His answer is now part of family lore: “If you are going to be a janitor, be a damn good one.”

Moreno took that to heart. He started as a custodian, learned the work from the floor up and moved into on-site management before launching Moreno & Associates, Inc. in San Jose, California, on May 15, 1993. The name sounded like a law firm. When people asked who his associates were, the honest answer was “me, myself and I,” Moreno admitted.

Now in its 33rd year, the company has roughly 250 employees and handles janitorial, floor and carpet care, painting, handyman work and other building services across seven Bay Area counties. All four Moreno children work in the business. Kyleigh Moreno serves as chief operating officer, Kennedy Moreno as chief marketing officer, Kolbey Moreno as director of client services and Kassidy Moreno as marketing and operations associate.

Ernesto, Kyleigh and Kennedy sat down at the 2026 ISSA VEO Conference in Dallas to talk about family, legacy and the work itself in this episode of the ISSA Media podcast.

Listen to the podcast below