NWRA names Drivers, Operators of the Year

The National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, announced its 2019 Drivers of the Year and Operator of the Year winners March 20. The awards recognize the drivers and operators from member companies who exemplify a safety mindset out in the field.

“Our members and their employees are dedicated to keeping our communities clean and safe on a daily basis. It is important that we recognize the drivers and operators who make safety a priority. I congratulate them on their achievement,” NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith says.

The 2019 Drivers of the Year are comprised of candidates 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.

The 2019 Operators of the Year awards are for employees working in post-collection services for a materials recovery facility (MRF), landfill or transfer station who safely operate heavy equipment, including bulldozers, front-end loaders and compactors.

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. During judging, operators were also judged on difficulty of their equipment to operate.

The award winners will be recognized at the NWRA Awards Breakfast on May 7 at WasteExpo.

2019 Drivers of the Year

National Commercial: Michael Juhan, Republic Services Inc., Phoenix,

National Residential: Bill White, Waste Connections Inc., Ontario, Canada, 

National Industrial: Timothy Parker, Waste Management Inc., Houston

Regional Commercial: Michael McGarrity, Waste Industries, Raleigh, North Carolina,

Regional Residential: Ted Vrell, Recology, San Francisco,

Regional Industrial: Joe Dahlmeimer, Rumpke Waste & Recycling, Cincinnati,

Local: Alvaro Mora, All Waste Inc., Hartford, Connecticut

Public: Diana Heath, City of San Diego

2019 Operators of the Year

MRF/Transfer Station: Edward Owen McMullen, Waste Management Inc.

Landfill: Roberto Hernandez, Republic Services Inc.