NWRA Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Inductees

Arlington, VA – The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) announced its Hall of Fame inductees for the Class of 2022. This year, three more will join the 205 men and women who have been admitted since 1986. They are Willie K. Goode, Founder/CEO of Goode Companies & WB Waste Systems; Don Slager, former CEO of Republic Services; and the late Joe Winters, former Chairman and CEO of Winters Bros. Waste Systems of Long Island.

The Hall of Fame inductees were chosen by NWRA’s Board of Trustees from a list of distinguished finalists compiled by the association’s Awards Committee.

“This year was especially difficult for the Board of Trustees and the Awards Committee with so many distinguished nominations submitted to them,” said NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith. “Ultimately, the leadership and contributions exhibited by Willie, Don and Joe were deemed to have reached the iconic status required to be a member of the Hall of Fame. I congratulate the Class of 2022 inductees on this prestigious recognition of their lifetime works.”

Hall of Fame inductees are selected based on scores in five categories, including recognition in the industry as a founder, pioneer, visionary or icon; enduring legacy and impact of contributions to the industry for a minimum of 25 years; steadfast values such as integrity, respect, courage, mentorship, volunteerism and inclusiveness; inspirational leadership at an NWRA service provider or supplier and on issues important to NWRA at the national, state and/or local level; and active association engagement and service as an ambassador of the industry.

The 2022 Hall of Fame inductees will be officially recognized at WasteExpo 2022 during the Awards Breakfast alongside the inductees from the Classes of 2020 and 2021.

About the Inductees

Willie K. Goode

Willie Goode started out working in the industry for his uncle at the age of 13. In 1991, he bought his first truck and started Goode Companies with a goal of having three trucks. Over the past 30 years, Willie continued to acquire assets in the Washington, D.C., Richmond, Va., Norfolk, Va., and West Palm Beach, Fla. markets which he has merged into WB Waste. He is passionate about helping small haulers share in success as well as promoting and providing opportunities for small minority businesses by assisting them in bidding contracts, purchasing equipment, and securing loans.

Don Slager

Don Slager rose from being a young welder with a part-time job to President and CEO of Republic Services, a Fortune 300 company. He started out in the industry as a driver before working his way up to managing schedules, maintaining fleets, and training employees. As CEO, he took Republic Services from being an amalgamation of smaller brands to a nationally recognized and respected brand in the industry with 35,000 employees. Today, it is the second-largest company in the industry in North America by revenue.

Joe Winters

Joe Winters was the Chairman and CEO of Winters Bros. Waste Systems of Long Island. His time in the industry dated back to working for his family’s waste company E&R Carting where he did everything from washing trucks to driving routes. In 1998, he cofounded Winters Bros. Waste Systems of Long Island with his four brothers. Today, Winters Bros. of Long Island is the largest independent waste services company in the northeastern United States. Joe Winters died from complications of COVID-19 on January 5, 2021.

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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 waste, recycling and medical waste, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and a variety of other service providers. For more information about NWRA, please visit www.wasterecycling.org.