Distinguished Service Awards
These awards recognize longstanding members of the Association who have rendered service in pursuit of NWRA’s mission and goals over a period of time, generally spanning a number of years.
2025 Recipients
- Josh Painter, Kirby Sanitation
- Shane Walker, Republic Services
2024 Recipients
- Bennie Anselmo, Recology
2023 Recipients
- Lyle Vander Meiden, Midwest Sanitation & Recycling
- Jenny Johnson, Labella Associates
- Phil Carter, GFL Environmental (posthumous)
- Mike Schwalbach, Sierra Container Group
2022 Recipients
- Pete Keller, Republic Services, Inc.
- Mike McLaughlin, McLaughlin Family Companies/New Way Trucks
2021 Recipients
- Chris Hawn, Machinex Technologies, Inc.
- Bill Keegan, Dem-Con
2020 Recipients
- John Wohlrab, Waste Management
- Frank Hillegonds, Homewood Disposal
- Pat Carroll, Environmental Solutions Group
2019 Recipients
- Tom Agema, Homewood Disposal
- Michael Savage, PTR Baler & Compactor Company
- Kevin O’Brien, WCA Waste Corporation
2018 Recipients
- Jeff Edwards, Evergreen Disposal, Inc.
- Selin Hoboy, Stericycle, Inc.
- Will Flower, Winter Bros. Waste Systems
- Ed Spinella, Law Offices of Edward F. Spinella, Esq., LLC
2017 Recipients
- Carmen Smothers, Environmental Solutions Group
- James Thaxton, Rumpke Waste & Recycling
- Robert Pfister, Advanced Disposal
- Carl Hornberger, Republic Services
2016 Recipients
- Rick Prather, Advanced Disposal
- Jason Lind, Cram-A-Lot
2015 Recipients
- Gary L. Fleming, CRAM-A-LOT
- George Wayne, Waste Connections
2014 Recipients
- Bob Kania, Waste Industries
2013 Recipients
- Selin Hoboy, Stericycle, Inc.
2012 Recipients
- Ken Binnix, Days Cove Reclamation Co.
- Robert Eisenbud, Waste Management, Inc.
- B.J. Harvey, E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc.
2011 Recipients
- Paul Smith, Recology
- Amy Van Kolken Banister, Waste Management, Inc.
2010 Recipients
- Bruce Georgov, Independent Disposal Services
- Randall Russell, Kenvirons, Inc.
- Patrick Sullivan, SCS Engineers
2009 Recipients
- William Flower, Republic Services, Inc.
- Stephen Smith, Hydro Geo Chem, Inc.
2008 Recipients
- Phil Carter, Waste Industries USA, Inc.
- Robert Dick, SCS Engineers
- Jerry Sjogren, E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc.
2007 Recipients
- Ben Hoffman, Waste Management, Inc.
- Mike Lambert, Republic Services, Inc.
- Thomas Winstead, Waste Industries
2006 Recipients
- Ken Baylor, Republic Services, Inc.
- Ellen Harvey, E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc.
- Mary Ellen Lynch, The E-N-D Group
2005 Recipients
- Dan Magoun, Republic Services of Central Indiana
- David Tooley, Waste Management, Inc.
2004 Recipients
- Charles Williams, Waste Management, Inc.
- Filomena Troiano, Troiano’s Waste Services, Inc.
- Susan Eppes, EST Solutions, Inc.
2003 Recipients
- Richard Van Hattem, Allied Waste Industries
- Edmund Skernolis, Waste Management, Inc.
2002 Recipients
- Jim Grogan, G & G Sanitation Systems
- Robert J. Hyres, Waste Pro
- Jeffery L. Johnson, Going Garbage & Recycling Inc.
- Tom McCaughey, Allied Waste Industries, Inc.
- Chris Weiser, CRAM-A-LOT/J.V. Manufacturing Inc.
2001 Recipients
- Linda Glaus, Sonny’s Solid Waste Service, Inc.
- Steven Menoff, EMCON/OWT Solid Waste Services
- Denny Pool, SP Industries, Inc.
2000 Recipients
- Jane Rubinstein, Biosystems
- Henry Jobe, Harris Waste Management Group, Inc.
- Don Williamson, West Central Sanitation
1999 Recipients
- Robert Earl, American Waste Industries
- Philip McAbee, The Container Company of Carolina
- Peter Ruud, Superior Services
- Kathy Trent, Waste Management, Inc.
- Steve Wienkes, Leach Company
1998 Recipients
- Lisa Disbrow, Waste Management, Inc.
- Ed Ensor, Waste Management, Inc.
- Randie Lawson
- Ron McCracken, Bes-Pac Inc.
1997 Recipients
- Norm Aardema
- Pat Burke
- Dan Imig, Allied Waste Industries, Inc.
- Tom Stevens, Wolverine Recycling Services, Inc.
1996 Recipients
- Charles Bowen
- Harold Carter, Republic Services, Inc.
- Ben Harvey, E.L. Harvey & Sons
- Steve Krause, Krause Corp.
- Ron Miller
1995 Recipients
- Kent Spiers, Marathon Equipment Company
1994 Recipients
- Larry Horning, Galion Solid Waste Equipment
1993 Recipients
- Denny Gill, Ameri-Kan
1992 Recipients
- Jerry Zanzig, Heil Co.