On Sept. 6 and 7, members of the Future Industry Leaders Alliance (FILA), a branch of the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, convened in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the annual FILA Leadership Conference. In addition to networking with fellow members, FILA leadership conferences feature educational opportunities designed to prepare participants for executive advancement and professional leadership in the waste industry.
After a day of communication training provided by Hidden Brook Communications, Falls, Virginia, attendees spent the morning of Sept. 7 at North Carolina State University (N.C. State), where they learned about the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF), based in Raleigh, and the role the next generation of leaders will play in EREF’s research and education. EREF President and CEO, Bryan Staley presented on the foundation’s goal to equipping future leaders with the information and tools they need to be successful in their pursuit to improve the industry. Staley also discussed the impact of the foundation’s research on not only the industry, but on each company’s expenses and day-to-day activities.
“Through its research and educational components, EREF plays an important role in shaping the future of the industry,” says Josh Thompson, FILA treasurer and director of purchasing at Waste Industries, the conference’s premier sponsor based in Raleigh. “It is crucial that the next generation of leaders understands the impact of the foundation’s work to increase sustainability, enhance productivity and improve waste management practices.”
Following Staley’s presentation, EREF Grantee Morton Barla and postdoctoral researcher Florentino de la Cruz shared findings from their EREF-funded research on methane production in elevated temperature landfills. Barlaz and de la Cruz work in N.C. State’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. After presentations, FILA members toured the college’s environmental engineering lab and heard from Grantee and former EREF Scholar Jim Levis regarding his development of the solid waste optimization life cycle framework (SWOLF) model for measuring environmental burden.
The day concluded with entrepreneurship training at the Neighbor to Neighbor Center, a nonprofit organization providing mentoring to families and youths in southeast Raleigh.
“It is crucial that members of the waste industry come together on a regular basis to strengthen relationships and discuss opportunities to advance the industry,” says Nate Davis, FILA member at large and vice president, Service and Digital Solutions at Environmental Solutions Group, Chattanooga, Tennessee. “We are pleased that this year’s conference was a success and look forward to future events.”
No more results found. After a day of communication training provided by Hidden Brook Communications, Falls, Virginia, attendees spent the morning of Sept. 7 at North Carolina State University (N.C. State), where they learned about the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF), based in Raleigh, and the role the next generation of leaders will play in EREF’s research and education. EREF President and CEO, Bryan Staley presented on the foundation’s goal to equipping future leaders with the information and tools they need to be successful in their pursuit to improve the industry. Staley also discussed the impact of the foundation’s research on not only the industry, but on each company’s expenses and day-to-day activities.
“Through its research and educational components, EREF plays an important role in shaping the future of the industry,” says Josh Thompson, FILA treasurer and director of purchasing at Waste Industries, the conference’s premier sponsor based in Raleigh. “It is crucial that the next generation of leaders understands the impact of the foundation’s work to increase sustainability, enhance productivity and improve waste management practices.”
Following Staley’s presentation, EREF Grantee Morton Barla and postdoctoral researcher Florentino de la Cruz shared findings from their EREF-funded research on methane production in elevated temperature landfills. Barlaz and de la Cruz work in N.C. State’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. After presentations, FILA members toured the college’s environmental engineering lab and heard from Grantee and former EREF Scholar Jim Levis regarding his development of the solid waste optimization life cycle framework (SWOLF) model for measuring environmental burden.
The day concluded with entrepreneurship training at the Neighbor to Neighbor Center, a nonprofit organization providing mentoring to families and youths in southeast Raleigh.
“It is crucial that members of the waste industry come together on a regular basis to strengthen relationships and discuss opportunities to advance the industry,” says Nate Davis, FILA member at large and vice president, Service and Digital Solutions at Environmental Solutions Group, Chattanooga, Tennessee. “We are pleased that this year’s conference was a success and look forward to future events.”