Personnel notes

SWANA executive director and CEO to retireJohn Skinner has announced his retirement as executive director and CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Maryland, effective April 30, 2015.

“I have truly enjoyed working with SWANA’s members and staff throughout the years and believe we have taken the association to new heights together,” says Skinner. “I am stepping down from SWANA to focus my future activities on efforts to advance solid waste programs internationally.”

Skinner joined SWANA as CEO in 1996, following a career at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the United Nations Environment Programme.

“John has been a great asset to SWANA and will continue to lead the organization well through his retirement date,” says SWANA President Brian Tippetts. “Under his leadership, SWANA has grown in both number and stature, and we thank him for his service and dedication for the past 18 years.”

Tippetts cites several examples of SWANA’s accomplishments under Skinner’s leadership, including:

• the highest membership level in the history of the association;
• members in every state of the U.S., every province of Canada and a Caribbean chapter;
• a strong balance sheet and excellent financial reserves;
• a wide range of educational offerings ranging from classroom to online programs;
• a proactive advocacy program that is influencing national policy; and
• SWANA’s Applied Research Program, which provides valuable studies for SWANA members and industry professionals everywhere.
   

To fill the post Skinner is vacating, Tippetts says SWANA will seek an experienced leader and manager with a background in the solid waste industry and the ability to build working relationships for the association and the industry. The new executive director/CEO also will help implement SWANA’s new strategic plan, which is nearing completion.

Questions about SWANA’s executive search can be directed to Barry Shanoff at shanoff@knopf-brown.com.

AF&PA announces 2015 board

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, has elected Mark Gardner, Sappi North America president and CEO, as its new chairman.

Gardner says, “We have a great story to tell about the sustainability of our products and processes and our contributions to society. The industry is constantly changing to meet marketplace demands, and I am optimistic about our future. I look forward to leading the board in advocacy on important policy issues with elected officials and industry stakeholders around the world.”

The AF&PA also announced the election of the following 2015 board officers: Packaging Corp. of America CEO Mark Kowlzan as first vice chairman and Clearwater Paper Corp. President and CEO Linda Massman as second vice chairwoman.

Domtar President and CEO John Williams will serve as immediate past chairman.

Starting new terms with the association’s board are Aubra Anthony, Anthony Forest Products Co.; James Hannan, Georgia-Pacific LLC; Donald Lewis, SCA Americas; Brian McPheely, Pratt Industries; Jack Sanders, Sonoco Products Co.; and Mark Sutton, International Paper Co.

Fourth generation takes the wheel at Rumpke

Rumpke Waste & Recycling, a recycling and waste management firm headquartered in Cincinnati, has named Bill Rumpke III operations manager of its Louisville, Kentucky, operations. He is the fourth generation of the Rumpke family to take a leadership position in the company.

Rumpke will oversee daily operations of the company’s waste, recycling and portable restroom services in Louisville and in southern Indiana.

Previously, Rumpke worked in the company’s Columbus, Ohio, district office, where he managed residential services for 300,000 households, including the company’s largest municipal contract. His responsibilities included recruitment, training and evaluation of 120 drivers and supervisors.

ISA announces appointment

The metals recycling company Industrial Services of America Inc. (ISA), Louisville, Kentucky, has named Tony Alvis business unit manager for its Waste Equipment Sales and Service Co. (WESSCO) and Computerized Waste Systems (CWS) divisions. Alvis replaces Ron Meyer, who is retiring from ISA.

Alvis has more than 23 years of industry experience, including posts at Republic of Indiana.

WESSCO owns, operates and maintains a fleet of compactors, balers and other waste handling and recycling equipment. The division recommends, sells, rents and leases waste handling and recycling equipment to retail, commercial and industrial customers.

ISA’s CWS division offers waste and recycling management programs to retail, commercial and industrial customers nationwide.