NWRA announces 2024 Driver of the Year and Operator of the Year winners

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) has announced its 2024 Driver of the Year and Operator of the Year winners, as well as those receiving honorable mentions. NWRA says the awards recognize drivers and operators from member companies who prioritize safety.

“The drivers and operators of our industry perform under some of the most demanding conditions while providing an essential service to every resident and business in the nation each day,” says Don Ross, chairman of the NWRA board of trustees. “We look forward to recognizing the winners at our annual awards breakfast at Waste Expo.”

The Arlington, Virginia-based NWRA says the Driver of Year Awards are given to drivers who operate their trucks in a safe and responsible manner, have outstanding performance records and whose contributions have enhanced the overall safety and image of the solid waste industry. This award contains three categories: Local Company, less than 500-truck fleet; Regional Company, 500- to 2,500-truck fleet; and National Company, more than 2,500-truck fleet.

Similarly, The Operator of the Year award is for employees working in postcollection for a materials recovery facility (MRF), landfill or transfer station who safely operate heavy equipment, including bulldozers, front-end loaders and compactors, NWRA says.

The 2024 Driver of the Year winners:

• National Commercial, Matthew Linden, Republic Services Inc.
• National Industrial, Ramon Salaz, Waste Connections Inc.
• National Residential, Terrel Herring, Republic Services Inc.
• Regional Commercial, Ron Howard, Casella Waste Systems
• Regional Industrial, John Michaud, Casella Waste Systems
• Regional Residential, Scott Evanchoff, Casella Waste Systems
• Local Member, Michael Gondek, All Waste Inc.
• Public Sector, Manuel Vigil, Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling

This year, a four-way tie occurred in the Operator of the Year category for the winner. The four winners are Nivardo Gonzalez, WM; Rob Hamil, Republic Services Inc.; Sergio Padilla, WM; and Stanley Watts, WM.

The finalists were determined by a computerized scoring system. Independent judges selected the winners based on letters of recommendation and, for drivers, the difficulty of the route based on factors such as pickups, weekly miles and manual versus automatic transmission. NWRA says operators were judged on the difficulty of the equipment operated.

“Driver safety and retention are important indicators for the industry,” NWRA Interim President and CEO Jim Riley says. “This year’s winners and those recognized with honorable mentions not only exhibit their dedication to the industry but an unsurpassed safety record. Congratulations to all the drivers and operators being honored.”