Personnel Notes

In memoriam: Richard ‘Dick’ Jaffre

Photo courtesy of ISRI

Richard “Dick” Jaffre, a longtime fixture of the scrap recycling and steel industries, has died at age 79.

Jaffre began his influential career in 1966 at Latrobe Steel in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, upon receiving a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. In 1974, he joined Midlothian, Texas-based Chaparral Steel, a subsidiary of Texas Industries Inc., as a scrap buyer before eventually working his way to vice president of raw materials. He worked at Chaparral Steel till his retirement in 2007.

According to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, Jaffre was the first steel producer to serve on the organization’s board of directors. In 2004 he received the ISRI Gulf Coast Region’s annual Israel Proler Award for outstanding contributions to the recycling industry. The award is named in memory of Israel Proler of Houston-based Proler International Corp., who served as Gulf Coast Chapter president of the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel from 1955 to 1956.

Jaffre grew up in Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro, maintaining his Brazilian roots throughout his life. He met his wife, Jean, while working at Latrobe Steel.

He is survived by Jean; his children, Lisa and Michael; grandchildren, Markus, Benjamin, Jonathan and Max; and his brother, Jim.

A memorial honoring Jaffre’s life was held Aug. 12 in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, his family encourages gifts be made to the University of Texas Southwestern Circle of Friends.

Comerica’s Ursuy to take on new role with bank

Photo courtesy of
Comerica Inc.

Comerica Inc., Dallas, has announced Joe Ursuy has been named executive vice president of national businesses for energy, renewables and waste. He will report to Executive Vice President and Head of National and Specialty Businesses Mike Ritchie.

Ursuy most recently served as senior vice president and director of environmental services, leading the Environmental Services Department (ESD), which he was instrumental in establishing among Comerica’s commercial bank divisions and industry services. While continuing to manage Comerica’s relationships in the recycling, renewable energy and waste industries, Ursuy also will oversee Comerica’s existing oil and natural gas production and midstream lines of business.

“Joe’s expertise assisting renewable energy, recycling and refuse companies has been instrumental in allowing us to deepen our relationships in many sectors within those industries across all our markets,” Ritchie says. “These businesses and the environments in which they operate are continuing to evolve, and Joe’s leadership and extensive knowledge bolster our customers’ ability to navigate through their challenges while helping them grow and succeed,” he adds.

Over the past 16 years, Comerica’s ESD has continued to expand its portfolio and the industries it serves.

A 24-year veteran in the financial services industry, Ursuy has been with Comerica since 1998. Prior to founding the Environmental Services Group in 2006, he held a variety of positions in Comerica’s Middle Market Banking Team.

Ursuy is a board member of the Environmental Research and Education Foundation of Raleigh, North Carolina and a frequent guest speaker at industry events.

Other industry associations Ursuy cultivates Comerica’s relationship with include the National Waste & Recycling Association, The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas and the Detachable Container Association. He also leads Comerica’s partnership with WasteExpo and hosts the annual Waste 360 Business Leadership Forum, which assists firms seeking business and financial strategies that go beyond daily operations.

Casella employee receives recognition from NWRA

Photo courtesy of Casella
Waste Systems

Casella Waste Systems Inc. Senior Vice President and General Counsel Shelley Sayward has been named National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) Services Member of the Year.

Casella Waste, headquartered in Rutland, Vermont, is a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company.

“Our member companies and their employees are the strength of NWRA,” NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith says in a news release announcing the award winners. “Without these individuals’ leadership and contributions, NWRA would not be the leading association in the waste industry. I congratulate them on their achievements.”

Sayward was honored for playing an integral role in helping to shape much of the policy discussion on key industry issues throughout the Northeast. As a senior leader at Casella Waste, her first term as the vice chair of the Arlington, Virginia-based group’s Government Affairs Committee has provided significant insight and influence in advancing positive recycling and waste disposal infrastructure policy outcomes in Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont, according to a news release Casella Waste issued about Sayward’s accomplishments. The company adds that her accomplishments have been felt throughout the NWRA and beyond as Sayward provides a unifying voice across several issues while advancing environmental health and safety infrastructure in the communities that Casella serves.

“We’re proud of the work that Shelley has done and continues to do on behalf of our organization and the industry as a whole,” Casella Waste Chairman and CEO John W. Casella says. “She is a highly respected, hardworking and trusted member of our senior leadership team, and her ability to help bring the northeastern region of the NWRA together in a more strategic manner will benefit the entire industry for years to come.”

Metal Exchange Corp. names COO, chief financial officers

Photo courtesy of Metal
Exchange

Metal Exchange Corp., a St. Louis-based provider of marketing, trading, manufacturing, processing, distribution and transportation services in the nonferrous metals sector, has announced executive leadership changes. 

Matt Rohm has been promoted to the position of president and chief operating officer. He will report to CEO Rick Merluzzi, and two divisional chief financial officer positions have been created to replace the enterprisewide chief financial officer role that Rohm vacates. Dan Jarvis has been promoted to chief financial officer of the Metal Exchange Trading Division and Corporate Services, while Dave McCoy has been promoted to chief financial officer of the Manufacturing Division.

The company says Rohm will have day-to-day operational responsibility and oversight of all divisions and operating companies within the Metal Exchange portfolio (trading, cast products and extruded products) and all corporate services departments.

Before joining Metal Exchange as chief financial officer in 2016, Rohm had more than 20 years of financial leadership experience, having served in positions with The Boeing Co., Anheuser- Busch InBev, Energizer and SunEdison.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Bradley University and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis’ Olin School of Business.

“Matt’s people-centric leadership style and strong drive have proven vital to the success of the organization,”  Merluzzi says. 

“It is an honor to be asked to lead a world-class, evergreen group of operating companies,” Rohm says.

“I am very excited to have Dan Jarvis and Dave McCoy leading the financial function of Metal Exchange,” he adds. “Both bring strong fiscal discipline and leadership to support our operating divisions. Their promotions are a direct result of Metal Exchange’s intense efforts to develop and retain top talent.”

“The promotion of these three talented, high-integrity individuals ensures the operational and financial leadership needed to support the growth initiatives of Metal Exchange Corp. for years to come,” Metal Exchange Executive Chairman Mike Lefton says.

AF&PA appoints vice president

Photo courtesy of AF&PA

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has announced the promotion of Andrew Topps as the next vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, following the retirement of longtime AF&PA leader Jan Poling.

The Washington-based organization says Topps assumed his new role Sept. 1.

“Andrew is an excellent choice to continue leading AF&PA’s legal team while we collectively advance our industry’s sustainability story,” President and CEO Heidi Brock says. “His skills, experience and leadership make him the person best suited to take on this important role.”

Topps is responsible for the association’s legal affairs and governance issues and provides overall direction to the association as a member of the senior leadership team. He joined AF&PA’s legal team in 2010 and served as deputy general counsel.

His prior experience includes nine years representing private law firm clients in federal and state agency antitrust investigations and litigation, as well as spending three years with the Federal Trade Commission. In his time at AF&PA, the group says Topps has helped formulate and implement its approach to various issues, including antitrust compliance, key environmental issues, employment law, lobbying guidance and corporate compliance.

AF&PA says that in addition to his legal work, Topps’ facilitation of the association’s Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging Team has enhanced its work environment and strengthened the overall association.

Poling, who Topps replaces, first joined the association in 2007 and has been responsible for the group’s legal affairs, governance issues and guidance in overall direction.

Prior to joining AF&PA, she served as associate general counsel for natural resources at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Jan has been an incredible leader throughout her 15 years of service to AF&PA,” Brock says. “We congratulate her on a remarkable career and wish her the very best in this next chapter.”