NWRA announces 2021 leadership awards, hall of fame inductee

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) announced its 2021 Membership Award recipients for three categories. The recipients were selected for their contributions in support of the waste and recycling industry and the association. 

The 2021 honorees are:

• Services Member of the Year Award: Andrea Calarco of Casella Waste Systems for her work on the extended producer responsibility issue in New York.
• Suppliers Member of the Year Award: Zach Martin of Big Truck Rental for his commitment and leadership.
• Chapter Leadership Award: Dean Matts, Ferguson Environmental Resources Inc., for attracting new members and representing the industry before legislators and regulators.
• Services Distinguished Service Award: Bill Keegan of Dem-Con for his service to the association.
• Suppliers Distinguished Service Award: Chris Hawn, Machinex Technologies Inc., for his contributions to the association that helped make NWRA a stronger voice for the waste and recycling industry.

Members of the Year are selected based on their service to the industry over the past year. Chapter Leadership awards are given to members whose contributions to an NWRA chapter were particularly meritorious. Distinguished Service awards are presented to longstanding members of NWRA who render service in pursuit of the association’s mission and goals. These awards recognize the highest spirit of volunteerism, personal integrity, professionalism and performance in an honorable and ethical manner.

“Our member companies and their employees are the strength of NWRA,” says NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith. “Without these individuals’ leadership and contribution, NWRA would not be the leading association in the waste industry. I congratulate them on their achievement.” 

In addition, NWRA announced that Richard Burke is the Class of 2021 inductee to its hall of fame. Burke is the former chairman and CEO of Advanced Disposal Services. His career spans more than 30 years, recently leading Advanced Disposal through its merger with Waste Management. 

“I am honored to be inducted into the NWRA Hall of Fame,” says Burke. “It is humbling to join a group consisting of the founders and leaders of our industry, and I look forward to celebrating with family and friends during WasteExpo 2022.”

Hall of Fame inductees are selected based on scores in five categories, including the impact of contributions to the industry for a minimum of 25 years, values, leadership on issues important to NWRA at the national, state, or local level and active association engagement and service as an ambassador of the industry.

“Richard has personified every qualification of the Hall of Fame during his 34 years in the industry as a founder, pioneer and icon. He is universally recognized for his integrity, expertise, vision and passion for the industry,” says John Spegal, independent director for Interstate Waste Services Inc. “He is also universally respected by his peers, stakeholders, regulators, community and, most importantly, the people he leads. He is a rare talent. I congratulate him on his induction into the NWRA Hall of Fame.”