NWRA Women’s Council Names 2019 Scholarship Recipients

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) Women’s Council announced its five scholarship recipients who will be recognized at WasteExpo in Las Vegas.

The NWRA Women’s Council established an educational scholarship program in 2007 to assist qualified individuals in their pursuit of an education that will lead to productive careers in the environmental industry. All NWRA member company employees and their dependents are eligible to apply. To date, close to $190,000 has been awarded. The 2019 scholars will be awarded $7,000 each, totaling $35,000.

“This year’s pool of candidates was exceptional, and this year’s Class of Scholars are wonderful examples of those dedicated to our industry,” said Tammy Holtzman, chair of the scholarship committee, in a statement.

Scholarship funds are made possible by the generous donations of companies and fundraising activities, such as the Split the Pot Raffle and the Carts on Display Art Show.

The 2019 recipients who will be recognized at WasteExpo are:

Sarah Gimbel of Tampa, Fla., employee at Big Truck Rental: Gimbel began as an intern with Big Truck Rental while attending University of South Florida (USF). She is a first-generation college student currently pursuing a degree in marketing with a concentration in sales. She is on the university dean’s list and serves as the chief marketing officer of the USF Sales Professional Club. She started the Howard Gimbel Memorial Foundation in honor of her father where she raises money to give back to the community. Along the way, Gimbel has learned the sales, rental and service side of the business and hopes to focus on sales and service in the waste industry. 

Lisa McMenemy of Auburn, Mass., employee at Casella Waste Systems: McMenemy has been working in the industry since 2001. She has experienced the waste and recycling industry in her many positions, including customer service, inside sales, dispatch and accounting, and currently serves as office manager for Casella Waste Systems. In addition to working fulltime, McMenemy achieved her associate degree while attending night school and juggling the demands of a raising a family of four. She has served on the Mass Recycle Board of Directors and on the committee of the Cambridge Recycle Board. She continues to work fulltime while perusing a degree in business at Nichols College. She hopes to become general manager of a site.

Jason Williams of Midlothian, Va., employee at Waste Management, Inc.: Williams has worked for Waste Management since 2007 as the environmental protection manager for several facilities, achieving Wildlife Habitat Council Certifications and Virginia Environmental Excellence Program Status for several sites. Since 2013, Williams has been a district manager overseeing 45 employees and implementing cost-saving measures and improving safety performance. He was recently rewarded with a Circle of Excellence award through Waste Management. He is pursuing a master’s degree in business at Virginia Commonwealth University while continuing to work fulltime, juggling being a husband and the father of two teenage children and being an active coach for youth sports for past 12 years.

Emma Toner of Atlanta, dependent of a Waste Management employee: Emma Toner is the daughter of Waste Management employee Timothy Toner, who works in account construction sales. After touring several landfills and transfer stations, Toner’s commitment to the environment took root. She is a member of Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Club and, as group leader, led to the recovery of a local aquatic ecosystem. She is currently in advanced placement environmental science and hopes to pursue a degree in supply chain management to assist in sustainable consumer buying trends. Her goal is to obtain an MBA in sustainability.

David Keylor of Athens, Tenn., dependent of a Waste Connections employee: David Keylor is the son of Steve Keylor, division landfill manager for Waste Connections. Keylor has grown up around landfills, following his dad to work and sitting alongside him in a compactor is one of his favorite memories. When he turned 16 years old, he started working at the landfill and had the pleasure of being assigned the best tasks from working the trash, cleaning equipment and working on leachate management. He plans to major in business management with a minor in engineering, while playing football. He is proud of his father and plans to follow in his footsteps as a “steward of our environment” as a landfill manager.