In memoriam: William ‘Billy’ Johnson

William “Billy" Johnson, chief lobbyist at the Washington-based Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), died suddenly Sept. 28.

Johnson was a staff member of ReMA and its predecessor organization, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), for 20 years.

“Billy was a tireless advocate for the recycled materials industry and for the well-being of all of our member,” ReMA President Robin Wiener says. “He was incredibly effective at raising our voice on Capitol Hill and within five presidential administrations, ensuring that our industry was known throughout Washington and the interests of all members were protected.”

Wiener credits Johnson for his role in attaining a special accelerated depreciation allowance for qualified recycling equipment through the Recycled Investment Saves Energy (RISE) Act, saving the industry hundreds of millions of dollars.

“He also led all of our efforts challenging the market dominance of the railroads around issues of demurrage and accessorial charges, achieving rate reforms for the industry," she says.

During the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, Johnson was “instrumental" in securing essential business designation for the recycled materials industry from the Department of Homeland Security, ensuring that member businesses could remain open, Wiener says.

Prior to joining ISRI in 2004, Johnson was a staff member at the Washington-based Information Technology Industry Council and New York-based legal firm Beveridge & Diamond PC.

Describing Johnson as gentle and kind, Wiener says, “Billy was a wonderful friend to so many of us on staff, in the membership and throughout Washington. He will be deeply missed by so many of us.”

Johnson is survived by his wife, Tracy. Donations can be made in his honor to the North Carolina State University Foundation Inc. through that organization’s website. 

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