New Boss at Allied

ALLIED WASTE INDUSTRIES INC., Scottsdale, Ariz., has named John J. Zillmer as its new chairman and CEO. Zillmer succeeded Charles H. Cotros, who had held the titles on an interim basis since October 2004.

Like Cotros, Zillmer comes to Allied as a veteran of the food-service industry. During an 18-year career at Philadelphia-based Aramark Corp., Zillmer held several senior management titles. When he left the company in 2004, Zillmer was the president of the Food and Service Support Group and an executive vice president of the firm.

Although Zillmer could not be reached for comment before Waste Age's deadline, he said he was “very excited to join an industry leader such as Allied Waste,” in a statement accompanying the announcement of his hiring. “Based on my review to date, I believe Allied Waste has in place both the people and the assets that are necessary for success, and I look forward to executing our business plan to create opportunity and value for our shareholders, our employees and our customers,” he said.

Zillmer's hiring comes eight months after the firm hired Cotros to replace Thomas Van Weelden.

Cotros will remain on Allied's board of directors.