Arlington, VA – The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) is proud to announce the 2026 recipients of the Driver of the Year and Operator of the Year awards. The honorees will be recognized at NWRA’s Annual Awards Gala during the Waste Leadership Summit on June 10, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
“The Driver and Operator of the Year awards celebrate the very best of our industry – professionals whose skill, discipline, and commitment to safety set the standard for waste and recycling operations nationwide,” said Don Ross, chairman of the NWRA Board of Trustees. “These honorees represent not only technical excellence, but leadership, professionalism, and pride in the essential work they do every day to serve their communities.”
The Driver of the Year, sponsored by Environmental Solutions, a Terex Company, honor those drivers who operate their vehicles safely and responsibly over time, maintain outstanding performance records, and contribute positively to the image of the industry. Recognized at the local, regional, and national levels, the program underscores excellence across all company sizes and service areas and includes the Safety-Sensitive Driver category, highlighting drivers in industrial, hazardous, medical, and other high-risk operations not covered under residential, commercial, or roll-off classifications.
“Every safe collection route reflects the professionalism, training, and discipline that define this industry,” said Pat Carroll, segment president, Environmental Solutions, a Terex Company. “The Driver of the Year awards recognize individuals who demonstrate these qualities daily, setting the benchmark for safe and reliable service in communities across the country.”
The Operator of the Year, sponsored by Volvo Construction Equipment, recognizes heavy equipment operators working in post-collection operations, including landfills, material recovery facilities, and transfer stations, whose skill and commitment to safety keep operations running smoothly.
“Operators are at the heart of safe, productive post-collection operations, and their expertise directly impacts both people and equipment,” said Martin Mattsson, director of strategic accounts at Volvo Construction Equipment. “We are proud to sponsor the Operator of the Year award and honor professionals whose precision, judgment, and dedication elevate performance across the industry.”
“This gala is about more than awards – it’s about recognizing the people whose professionalism and commitment keep our industry safe, resilient, and reliable,” said Michael E. Hoffman, president and CEO of NWRA. “Each honoree represents the highest standards of operational excellence, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements alongside their peers, families, and industry leaders.”
The winners were selected through a statistical scoring process and reviewed by an esteemed panel of independent judges based on letters of recommendation, route and equipment complexity and route difficulty, and safety records.
The prestigious Hall of Fame Class of 2026, sponsored by McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, will also be recognized at the gala, honoring individuals whose careers have significantly advanced the waste and recycling industry.
For more information about the gala or to purchase tickets, visit the event site HERE.
2026 Driver of the Year Winners:
| Level | Route | Winner | Company |
| National | Commercial | Jared Bert | Waste Connections, Inc. |
| Residential | Willie Ashford | WM | |
| Roll-off | Donato Ponce | Republic Services, Inc. | |
| Safety Sensitive | Ausencio Carrera | Republic Services, Inc. | |
| Regional | Commercial | Scott Deal | Rumpke Waste & Recycling |
| Residential | Dugaldo Padilla | Recology | |
| Roll-off | Larry Davis | Rumpke Waste & Recycling | |
| Safety Sensitive | Michael Morris | Rumpke Waste & Recycling | |
| Local Member | Adam Shequin | Walter’s Recycling & Refuse Inc. |
2026 Operator of the Year Winner:
| Kenny Gallego | Republic Services, Inc. |
NWRA extends its sincere thanks to the volunteer judges for their time, expertise, and dedication to this year’s awards process.
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ABOUT NWRA
The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) represents the private sector waste and recycling services industry. Association members conduct business in all 50 states and include companies that manage solid, industrial/hazardous, medical, and construction/demolition debris waste, and represent equipment manufacturers and distributors, and a variety of other professional service providers. For more information about NWRA, please visit www.wasterecycling.org.
Contact
Genevieve O’Sullivan
National Waste & Recycling Association
gosullivan@wasterecycling.org
202-731-1812
