The month of August has been a whirlwind for the waste and recycling industry: China implemented a scrap import ban, the EPA is working through new regulations and standards, and Southern states face an debris collection crisis in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
The industry is, however, in good hands to face these challenges as August has also been a time for great management changes. Organizations like ISRI, NRC and CRRA have announced impactful shifts in leadership, almost so rapidly that it's been hard to keep track — especially in the past week. Below is a list of this month's fresh industry faces.
Jenna Abbott: Executive Director, California Resource Recovery Association
The California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) welcomed Jenna Abbott earlier this month as the association's new executive director following a three-month search to fill the position, according to a press statement. Abbott, who has worked with both private and public sector companies throughout her career, excels in the areas of event management, fundraising and advocacy work, making her a perfect fit for the position according to board president Rob Hilton.
Abbott, who says she is "passionate about finding innovative ways to make CRRA the expert in [sustainability and zero waste]," attended her first CRRA tradeshow as executive director last week.
Marjorie Griek: Executive Director, National Recycling Coalition
This week, the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) announced Marjorie Griek as the coalition's first executive director in nearly a decade during a meeting at the Resource Recycling Conference in Minneapolis, according to Resource Recycling. It was reported that, prior to joining NRC, Griek served 14 years as the executive director of the Colorado Association for Recycling.
Griek is no stranger to NRC though, as she has served on the NRC Board as senior vice president and treasurer since 2013. Through this new position, Griek will have a more influential opportunity to assist organizations through what she calls a "transformative time for the recycling industry," as reported by Waste360.
Read more about Griek's plans for the organization in an exclusive Q&A with Waste Dive.
Jean Lucas: President & CEO, Eco Waste Solutions
On Aug. 25, waste conversion tech company Eco Waste Solutions announced that after more than 10 years as the company's president and CEO, Steve Meldrum would leave the position and be replaced by Jean Lucas, according to a press statement. Lucas's experience as the company's executive vice president, and her "instrumental" success in growing Eco Waste from its startup status to a "global contender," makes her a promising CEO moving forward.
Previous to her work with Eco Waste, Lucas served as the president of Women in Mining Canada, helping to elevate industry career opportunities for women — a position that has clearly driven her success as a woman in waste.
David Borsuk, Adam Dumes and Colin Kelly: Directors-at-Large, ISRI
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) this week announced three directors to its board, all slated to serve two-year terms, according to an emailed press statement. David Borsuk of Sadoff Iron & Metal Company and Colin Kelly of Schnitzer Steel Industries were re-elected to the board, while Adam Dumes of Cohen Recycling was newly-elected.
With a combination of managerial experience and expertise across a vast array of recycling sectors, Borsuk, Dumes and Kelly are expected to add "a wealth of knowledge to ISRI as a whole," according to President Robin Wiener.
Thomas Womble: CEO, Liberty Tire Recycling
On Aug. 29, Pittsburgh-based Liberty Tire Recycling announced Thomas Womble's promotion to chief executive officer, according to Construction & Demolition Recycling. Womble, who previously served as COO, will replace Scott Whitney in overseeing operations at 28 manufacturing sites across North America. As millions of scrap tires continue to infiltrate the waste stream, Womble's leadership at Liberty Tire will be pivotal for the production of sustainable rubbers and fuels.
