NWRA Expands Government Relations Team

ARLINGTON, VA – Following the departures of long-time staff members, Steve Changaris and Peggy Macenas, the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) hired Katie Raverty-Evans as Vice President, Chapter Management and Member Relations, and Patrick Bennett as Vice President, Chapter Management, managing government affairs and chapter activities in seven states.

Raverty-Evans will have responsibility for chapters in Kentucky, Ohio, and the Carolinas. Raverty-Evans previously helped manage government affairs for Best Way Disposal for ten years before coming to NWRA.  

Bennett will manage government affairs and chapter activities in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Prior to this position, Bennett represented the Indiana Chapter of NWRA as a lobbyist for more than ten years. In addition, Bennett provided government relations services to other clients and operated a small legal practice.

“The strength of our organization is in our state chapters. I am pleased that Katie and Patrick will be working with our chapters on issues affecting the waste and recycling industry,” said NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith.

Raverty-Evans will also lead NWRA’s Women’s Council, assist with WasteExpo, and other member-facing projects.

“I am ready to help NWRA strongly advocate for the men and women in our industry and support our member companies. I am pleased that this role allows me to continue to serve in such an important and worthwhile industry,” said Raverty-Evans.

Raverty-Evans has served on the NWRA Services Board of Governors as an Alternate, was a member of the NWRA PAC Board of Governors, and Vice-Chair of the NWRA Government Relations Committee. She also served as president of the NWRA Women’s Council. Raverty-Evans holds a degree from Thomas More University in Communications.

Bennett said, “I am very pleased to join the team at NWRA. It is a privilege to continue to work with the waste and recycling industry, and I look forward to the new challenge.

Steve Changaris had 29 years of service and was most recently Vice President, Northeast Region. He was actively involved in the chapters lobbying lawmakers and meeting with regulators. Peggy Macenas hd 28 years of service and was most recently Vice President, Midwest Region. She was equally as involved in her chapters and also managed the Women’s Council. They were aggressive advocates for the waste and recycling industry, always willing to share their knowledge and experiences with staff.

“On behalf of NWRA, I thank Steve and Peggy for their years of dedicated service to the waste and recycling industry,” said Smith. “While they take a lot of institutional knowledge with them, I am pleased that we have found excellent candidates to fill the void.”

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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