Ven Poole will succeed Jim Perry as chairman of Waste Industries USA Inc. beginning March 31.

Poole, currently CEO, takes over the leadership role from Perry, who was Waste Industries’ first employee 44 years ago, according to a news release from the Raleigh, N.C.-based Waste Industries. Perry will continue to serve as a director on the company’s board and serve as compensation committee chairman.

Waste Industries is making other changes with its senior leadership team as well, effective March 31. Greg Yorston adds the title of president in addition to chief operating officer; Steve Grissom will serve as senior vice president and chief financial officer; and Lisa Inman will be senior vice president and general counsel.

"For 44 years, Jim Perry has been at the core of the Waste Industries leadership team, and his years of hard work, his steady hand and his steadfast integrity have built Waste Industries into one of the most well respected organizations not only in the solid waste industry, but all industries across the U.S.," Poole said.

Since Waste Industries was founded in 1970, Perry has helped lead the company’s expansion of its service area to include Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, managing solid waste collection, recycling, and disposal for more than 1 million residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Waste Industries now employs more than 2,100 people full time, operating more than 900 heavy trucks, 16 recycling operations, 28 transfer stations and 20 landfills. The company posted revenue of more than $550 million in 2014.