List any previous leadership positions held with the National Recycling Coalition or state recycling organizations and describe what you accomplished in those positions.
None
If you currently serve in a volunteer leadership position with another organization, please explain your role and accomplishments.
None
What special abilities would you bring to NRC’s leadership?
Pat, is a pragmatic leader who brings a disciplined approach to the business. He is both a genuine person and a leader who is respected by the team he leads. He has built a team culture at WM Recycle America.
What do you think are the most important recycling issues facing the NRC or recycling on the national level?
The most important issues and challenge facing NRC is the ability to be a voice for the recycling industry. NRC must continue to grow to be a strong voice for recycling in Congress, in the states, and to the public. The most important issue facing recycling on the national level is inbound quality of materials. If we can’t control the inbound quality, how can we control the outbound quality.
What steps should the NRC take to strengthen its role and relationships with our affiliated state organizations?
NRC needs to be resource for the affiliated state organizations. NRC cannot be out there making waves, but it needs to understand the rules of engagement of state recycling organizations. All actions in a state must be coordinated and communicated with that state. The NRC should lead by example and drive operational excellence though out the organization and down to the state affiliates.
What individual or group in the field of recycling has had the most influence on you?
The recycling equipment manufacturers enable WM to be an active participant on the forefront of technology advances to recover more materials from the waste stream.
How would you “sell” the importance of an NRC membership to a person who is unfamiliar with the NRC?
NRC has the ability to be a great voice of recycling. All the elements are there: a strong grass roots base, good organization, Washington, DC presence, wide spread support, and good name recognition in the industry. It needs your support to make that realization happen.
How is the work you do as a professional compatible with NRC’s mission?
NRC’s mission is very compatible with what Pat does professionally. As the leader of the largest recycler of residentially collected materials, our missions are very intertwined. We see a need for a strong voice for recycling. We see a need for constructive dialogue on sustainable raw material management. Our goal is to have an informed customer base. We are all about developing innovative partnerships with both our customers and our mill vendors. In order to accomplish these a strong and viable NRC is necessary.
The NRC Board of Directors is comprised of individuals with a concern for the common good of the Coalition. Discuss how you would help the Board reach consensus among a group of peers with varied interests and/or positions on a specific issue.
Pat is engaged in all levels of the business and will make a mark on any organization he is involved with. He will focus on providing leadership and getting results. He builds personal relationships with each and every team member. He makes us feel we are one big family and will do the same at NRC.
What would be your personal goals as a member of the NRC Board of Directors?
I would like to offer the beneficial use of my experience in the recycling industry and also past participation on numerous non-profit boards. So, I can be a resourceful participant in realistic dialogue to further the awareness of recycling.