The Solid Waste Division is dedicated to enhancing expertise and advocating best management practices for solid waste management in North Carolina. Our mission is realized through a dynamic platform that facilitates networking and our flagship event, the annual Solid Waste Conference.
Our commitment is to deliver professional development opportunities that are not only informative and relevant but also enjoyable. We strive to create an atmosphere conducive to productive networking, ensuring our members benefit from a comprehensive experience.
The highlight of our efforts is the annual Solid Waste Division Conference, a captivating two-and-a-half-day event held annually in August. This conference is a rich source of insights into the latest trends in solid waste management, updates from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) on upcoming legislation and regulatory changes, and abundant networking opportunities with fellow solid waste professionals during social events and leisure activities.
At its core, the Solid Waste Division is committed to providing significant value to the members of APWA within the dynamic landscape of solid waste and recycling.
The Solid Waste Division:
- Offers the Herman Drake Award (Solid Waste Employee of the Year)
- Offers the Dale James Award (Solid Waste Manager of the Year)
Division Board Members:
| Griffin Hatchell | City of Greensboro Field Ops | President |
| Mike Horney | City of Lexington | President-Elect |
| Jesse D. Troublefield | Town of Cary | Vice President |
| Christina Vanderzee | City of High Point (Retired) | Treasurer |
| Winter Meadows | City of Lexington | Secretary |
| DJ Pirkle | TranSource | Director (’25-’26) |
| Taylor Shepherd | City of Albemarle | Director (’25-’26) |
| Kristie Hooper | LaBella Associates | Director (’26-’27) |
| Stephen Redfern | Schaefer Systems International, Inc | Director (’26-’27) |
| Laurie Gable | Town of Indian Trail | Director (’26-’27) |
| Josh McMahan | Carolina Environmental Systems | Past President |
| Melinda King | City of High Point | Ad Hoc Board Member |