The second 30 Under 30 awards

The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) and Recycling Today are excited for the return of the 30 Under 30 awards, highlighting young professionals working in the recycled materials industry.

Our industry needs young professionals, laborers, technicians and tradespeople, and, once again, this class has representation from all these important fields.

Nominations were open to employees of ReMA member companies only, underscoring the association’s commitment to professional growth while highlighting opportunities the organization provides for networking, professional development and industry engagement.

ReMA’s Young Executive Council, working in concert with Recycling Today team members, managed the award selection process, ensuring the recognition is peer-reviewed and merit-based.

The 2025 class is featured in the following pages and also will be highlighted on the ReMA and Recycling Today websites as well as at Scrap Expo 2025.

This program continues to help showcase the incredible contributions young people are making across the industry, highlight the wide range of career paths available within the industry and recognize the future of the recycled materials industry.

Please take some time to read about these wonderful young people. If you know them, congratulate them on this tremendous recognition.

Thank you to all those who nominated young industry members for this program.

Jake Almeida

CEO
RePackify
Jake Almeida went from accountant to chief of staff at his last company before starting RePackify, aimed at automating the reuse of shipping supplies and increasing transparency in purchasing and reselling warehouse shipping supplies. The startup boasts more than 10 million pounds of packaging materials diverted from landfill as it works toward its mission to create a more sustainable supply chain.

Alyssa Ansara

Aluminum Broker
Kripke Enterprises Inc.
Alyssa Ansara has been described as one of the hardest working brokers at Kripke, where she constantly seeks to learn and build a strong reputation. She’s found a creative way to bring value by using TikTok to share market updates and help customers make sense of the complexities of the industry. Her colleagues say she’s brought a new energy and structure to biweekly meetings, making a strong impact across the team.

Isabelle Borkowski

Consultant
Resource Recycling Systems (RRS)
Isabelle Borkowski is known for her “analytical rigor, collaborative spirit and dedication to advancing sustainable materials systems.” She has worked on many projects that require policy tracking, end market analysis and stakeholder coordination, supporting clients from retailers to state governments. Her policy tracking and engagement work informs decisions on recycled content, extended producer responsibility and infrastructure.

Brennan Brewster

Plant Manager
Texas Metals & Recycling Co.
Since joining Texas Metals & Recycling Co., Brennan Brewster has implemented operational strategies to increase plant efficiency and safety, and his data-driven approach to process optimization has led to improvements in throughput and reduced downtime. Brewster mentors junior staff, promotes cross-functional teamwork and has been instrumental in launching companywide safety initiatives.

Ryan Calo

Scrap Metal Buyer/ Receiving Manager
The Federal Metal Co.
Ryan Calo has trained on inventory systems, defined standard operating procedures for new facilities and has taught new associates “the Federal Metal way,” relocating twice to provide on-the-ground leadership. He is Federal Metal’s in-house expert on deploying its custom supplier interface in a demanding supply chain, and his colleagues say he has handled the challenge “brilliantly.”

Nathan Campbell

Manufacturing Engineer
Exodus Global
Nathan Campbell has helped strengthen and expand the capabilities of Exodus Global’s Manufacturing Engineering department. He became a subject matter expert for Exodus’ push into robotic welding and has been involved in many lean manufacturing initiatives, reducing waste and increasing profitability. His colleagues say he brings an adept and practical skillset to each challenge he faces.

Ana Cardona

Logistics Manager
Levitated Metals
Ana Cardona started as a scale operator, helping with everything from parts procurement to negotiations with truck drivers and leading the company’s process growth. Cardona also is setting procedures for Levitated’s parent company, Mervis Industries. As Mervis implements a new scale system, Cardona is helping the transition to better freight management and accounting. Her colleagues describe her as an “unsung hero.”

Sam Cohen

Account Manager
Metal Conversions
Sam Cohen started on the operations side at Metals Conversions before moving to the marketing side. During his time in operations, Cohen was tasked with responsibilities that required him to lead a group of his peers, and his colleagues say he performed well and his peers trusted and followed his leadership. He also has taken control of the company’s settlement process while implementing a new CRM and has continued to take on new challenges.

Caroline Daley

EHS Specialist
Rocky Mountain Recycling
Caroline Daley had an immediate impact on the safety culture at Rocky Mountain Recycling. She has introduced different lines of communication, including weekly and monthly newsletters, topic bulletins, employee safety nominations and more. Daley’s colleagues say she has excellent organization and communication skills and that she has mastered being a “360 manager,” creating great relationships with scrapyard employees.

Julie Dobbs

Head of Legal and Compliance
Elemental North America
Julie Dobbs is an advocate for precious metals recycling, and her colleagues say she models excellence. She advocates and helps reform state and federal legislation as well as working cross-association. Dobbs is president of the Florida Catalytic Converter Recycling Coalition, on the board of the International Precious Metals Institute and an active ReMA member.

Cory Fair

Software Engineer
Sunnking Sustainable Solutions
As Sunnking’s in-house software engineer, Cory Fair designed and built a fully customized ERP system, tailoring it to the unique needs of the company’s electronics recycling and ITAD business. His colleagues say he has improved operational efficiency, client satisfaction, inventory accuracy and compliance. His creative and user-centric approach has enabled clients to monitor ESG performance with “unprecedented clarity.”

Ryan Fournier

Foreman
HW Green Co. Inc.
Ryan Fournier has shown steady growth since being hired full-time at HW Green in March 2024. He started at the front scale on the buying side and has continued to broaden his knowledge, learning metal identification and grading practices. According to his colleagues, he is a key contributor. As he has continued to gain experience, Fournier offers unique perspectives and input on process improvements.

Slone Fox

Editor
Recycling Product News
Along with a dedication to sharing stories and highlighting innovation, Slone Fox’s colleagues say she takes on a natural leadership and mentorship role in many aspects of her career. She especially excels in telling visual stories and making industry news accessible and exciting for other young professionals and continues to evolve her knowledge, connections and commitment to this sector, demonstrating a dedication to the recycled materials industry.

Tristan Haney

Product Manager
NASCO-OP
Tristan Haney has been described as “a combination of forward-thinking strategist and grounded problem-solver.” Using his background in data analysis and process improvement, Haney has streamlined multistep purchasing and communication systems that previously slowed down both internal teams and end users. His approach blends technology with deep product knowledge to create scalable, replicable and useful solutions.

Keira Higgins

Consultant
Resource Recycling Systems (RRS)
Keira Higgins plays a key role in RRS’ NextCycle program, an accelerator that bridges entrepreneurship, investment and infrastructure to drive recovery and market development. She combines technical and creative problem-solving skills with a passion for sustainability, shaped by her upbringing on an organic dairy farm. She has been instrumental in executing and evolving NextCycle, helping catalyze state-level circular economy investment strategies.

Hannah Julian

Manager, Sourcing and Environmental Planning
G2 Revolution
Hannah Julian looks for solutions for hard-to-manage material, researching sustainable procurement to find responsible and compliant methods of recycling and waste management and facilitating the donation of millions of pounds of material annually to charitable partners. She has led G2 through two years of landfill diversion and introduced its first closed-loop procurement solution.

Chelsea Keaton

Senior Commercial Support Analyst
BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions
Chelsea Keaton plays a key role in BASF customer support. She is known for effectively offering tailored solutions to a wide range of customer-driven challenges, and her colleagues say she continues to grow and develop in the field of customer service while collaborating across functions, including supply chain, laboratory, production and sales.

Alexander Keck

Retail Buyer
Kripke Enterprises Inc.
Alex Keck is said to exemplify everything an employer desires, actively seeking knowledge about the recycling industry and consistently driving himself and his colleagues to deliver the optimal customer experience. He has sought opportunities for learning while maintaining focus on his current responsibilities and makes himself available to operate new equipment and test innovative processes.

Noah Kramer

General Manager
Kramer Metals Inc.
As a fourth-generation member of a family-owned business, Noah Kramer is following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father. Along with leading the company’s environmental, health and safety department, he handles several of the largest accounts and has helped rethink Kramer’s recycling software and design and implement new programs, blending his experience with modern technology and business practices with a family-owned business.

Lance Lail

Material Specialist, Cuda Grit Team Lead
Tungco Inc.
As a member of Tungco’s “young guns,” Lance Lail has taken initiative in embracing the company’s culture and embodying it in his work. His colleagues say he has been instrumental in developing ways to improve yields and efficiencies within his department. When a need arises, Lail has supported where needed, and his pursuit of mastery propels his “out-of-the-box” problem-solving skills in accomplishing tasks.

Jamie Lowrey

Director of Strategic Operations
Circular Services
Jamie Lowrey joined Circular Services last year after a summer internship and has taken on many responsibilities. His work spans operations, business development, partnerships and public policy. He has built relationships with operational leaders, launched internal systems that have streamlined decision-making and developed a communication style that is helping mature the company’s operating model.

Raghav Mecheri

CEO and Co-Founder
Visia
As CEO and co-founder of Visia, Raghav Mecheri has built a company that equips facilities with AI-powered X-ray systems to detect batteries and other hazardous materials. What began as a college project has become a platform used by 30-plus recyclers. He is helping reshape how the recycling industry handles risk and data, meeting recyclers where they are with tools that make a measurable impact on safety and efficiency.

Josh Michaud

Retail Scale Manager
Harding Metals Inc.
Josh Michaud has worked at Harding Metals for over10 years. He helps customers unload and segregate material to ensure they receive the most for their delivery and has a broad understanding of the business from a “boots-on-the-ground” perspective. His colleagues say he is the first to take on a challenge and that he has a commitment to excellent customer service and an ability to educate on grading and sorting.

Sydney Owen

Secondary Operations Manager
Shapiro Metals
Sydney Owen’s leadership in developing recycling programs and technologies has enhanced Shapiro Metals’ efficiency and sustainability. She has contributed to Shapiro’s sustainability efforts, like its Circular by Shapiro program and Sustainability Dashboard. Owen has exemplified leadership through her strategic vision, dedication and ability to drive impactful change.

Steven Scheck

Scrap Trader
Standard Industries
Steven Scheck is a third-generation recycler. As a scrap trader at his family’s company, he finds ways to integrate new ideas with “old school” methodology, offering a fresh perspective. He has made it a priority to learn each piece of equipment in the yard and understand the various functions of the business. Scheck participates in ReMA training sessions, including safety training, and is active in Standard Industries’ captive insurance group.

Carl Seeley

Controls Engineer
Sweed Machinery
What began as a part-time role sweeping floors and cleaning shop has become a career in engineering for Carl Seeley. While at Sweed, he has pursued an electrical apprenticeship—earning his journeyman license—and later trained in controls programming. Today, he works with customers to support Sweed’s wire chopping lines. His experience across departments allows him to mentor his teammates and offer guidance.

Drew Stroud

Process Engineer, Research and Development
Cirba Solutions
Drew Stroud is a key member of Cirba Solutions' engineering design team and helps improve equipment capabilities. His designs have helped Cirba Solutions' Lancaster, Ohio, facility boost capacity to process end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap. He also has improved operational safety and efficiency, creating documentation and procedures as well as teaching others how to safely operate equipment.

Julian Tauterer

Chief Operations Officer
Redwave Solutions U.S. LLC
Julian Tauterer steadily has expanded his skillset across sales, research and development and executive leadership. He has worked to expand Redwave’s sorting capabilities, while his market analysis has shaped product development strategies. Last year, Tauterer relocated from Austria to the U.S., and in this time, colleagues say he’s been pivotal in onboarding new hires and supporting cross-functional teams globally.

Providence Tucker

Logistics Analyst
Shapiro Metals
Providence Tucker has helped Shapiro Metals enhance its efficiency and sustainability through logistics solutions that reduce the company’s carbon footprint. He introduced a predictive analytics model for logistics, optimizing inventory and reducing waste. Since joining Shapiro in 2023, Tucker has earned supply chain certifications, attends industry conferences and leads workshops to share his expertise.

Megha Vadehra

Global Product Manager, Refining
BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions
As global product manager, Megha Vadehra’s accomplishments include developing reporting dashboards and establishing a digital framework to streamline communications. Vadehra also helps create an inclusive workplace, leading initiatives like Women’s History Trivia Night and participating in monthly discussions to drive positive cultural change at BASF.