Date: November 30, 2011
Source: Environmental Industry Associations
It is perhaps the end of a dynasty. Bruce Parker, President and CEO (aka Our Dear Leader) of the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) has put the terrible rumors to rest by announcing that he will retire next year from the association where he has held a leadership role for the last 30 years. During that time, he has driven changes in an organization, which includes the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC), that has grown in sophistication along that of the evolving and increasingly complex waste and resource management industry itself.
He has waged battles on many fronts by fighting for the interests of the waste industry, municipal and government entities while building bridges across an often fractious industry and educating an apathetic public, misguided politicians, and sometimes narrowly focused activists. Among his many achievements is raising public awareness of the vital importance of the industry itself, the role it plays in environmental protection and the safety of its workers. He has argued Constitutional issues before the Supreme Court and defended again and again the right of free enterprise, especially when governments or its legislators have sought to interfere.
To many, Bruce Parker is the energetic and enthusiastic face of the industry and known to virtually everyone. He also knows no strangers and has been a great ambassador, not just for the association and it members but for the industry itself to the public which depends upon the vital services it provides.
"Working in the solid waste industry during the past 30 years has been both a privilege and blessing," said Parker. "I am extremely proud of what our volunteer leaders, member companies and EIA staff have accomplished."
Charlie Appleby, EIA Chairman and Chairman and CEO of Advanced Disposal Services, is leading a search effort to identify Parker's successor. "There is no question that Bruce will be missed. He has had a storied career at the Association . . . Still, his retirement is well-earned, and I hope he can learn how to relax."
PRESS RELEASE
November 30, 2011
Environmental Industry Associations President and CEO Bruce J. Parker to Retire
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bruce J. Parker, President and CEO of the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA), the trade association that represents the private-sector solid waste services industry through its two sub-associations, the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC), announced to EIA Board of Trustees that he will retire at the end of 2012. Parker joined the Association in 1981 as its General Counsel and took the helm in 1996.
Charlie Appleby, EIA Chairman and Chairman and CEO of Advanced Disposal Services, is leading a search effort to identify Parker's successor. "There is no question that Bruce will be missed. He has had a storied career at the Association during the past 30 years, and he has been an outstanding leader who has introduced major changes and programs at EIA as the industry has grown in size and complexity. Still, his retirement is well-earned, and I hope he can learn how to relax. We will never replace Bruce, but we will find a new CEO to lead the association into the future," said Appleby.
"Working in the solid waste industry during the past 30 years has been both a privilege and blessing," said Parker. "I am extremely proud of what our volunteer leaders, member companies and EIA staff have accomplished. Together we have increased membership; become more effective in our state, local and federal advocacy; created the ‘Environmentalists. Every Day,' educational effort to help media representatives and decision makers better understand the industry's activities and contributions toward environmental sustainability; created a nationally-recognized safety program that provides information for managers, supervisors and front-line employees to prevent workplace accidents and fatalities; as well as other achievements."
Prior to Parker's employment at the Association, he was an attorney in the Federal Trade Commission's Office of Federal Affairs, general counsel for the National Cemeteries Association and an associate at a large, Washington, DC law firm doing environmental and regulatory work.
The Environmental Industry Associations, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a professional trade association whose sub-associations are the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC). EIA is dedicated to advancing, informing, educating and assisting the private environmental services industry in the safe, cost-effective and environmentally responsible management of solid waste, recyclables, discarded or residual materials.
For more information about how innovation in the solid waste industry is helping to solve today's environmental challenges, visit environmentalistseveryday.org/environmentalists.
For more information, contact:
Thom Metzger, 202-364-3751
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