Stampp Corbin
CEO, Resource One Computer Systems
List any previous leadership positions held with the National Recycling Coalition or state recycling organizations and describe what you accomplished in those positions.
Treasurer, Association of Ohio Recyclers Elected treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Association of Ohio Recyclers in 2002, reelected in 2004. As treasurer, managed the fiscal responsibilities of the organization for the last three years. Involved in the planning and execution of the AOR annual recycling event. National Recycling Coalition RetroBox was named outstanding minority business of the year by the NRC in 2004.
If you currently serve in a volunteer leadership position with another organization, please explain your role and accomplishments.
Easter Seals, Board of Directors
Responsible the fiscal management of the organization as part of the Finance Committee. Also involved in fundraising as part of the Development Committee. Have helped the organization to negotiate the sale of its building allowing the organization to build a long term endowment and to plan a move into a more modern, appropriate facility.
Columbus AIDS Task Force, Vice President Board of Directors Responsible for the fiscal management of the organization as part of the Finance Committee, also involved in fundraising as part of the Development Committee. Have guided the organization from a point of fiscal concern to one of the most fiscally sound AIDS organizations in the country.
Columbus College of Art and Design, Board of Trustees Help to set the strategic direction of CCAD. Recent appointment, not assigned role as of yet.
What special abilities would you bring to NRC’s leadership?
As a graduate of Harvard Business School, as well as the owner of one of the most successful recycling businesses in America, I will bring significant marketing and financial acumen to the NRC organization. As evidenced by the amount of media coverage that RetroBox has received, I have become the voice of the IT disposal industry and believe I can help to further enhance the visibility of NRC and to hone the marketing messaging. Finally, I have significant financial non-profit management experience.
What do you think are the most important recycling issues facing the NRC or recycling on the national level?
Recycling Issues:
eWaste is one of the most important recycling issues America faces today due to the cost, the alarming growth rate, and health implications. The EPA estimates 63.3 million computers will become obsolete this year, and the Californians Against Waste Coalition predicts California alone could face a bill of $1 billion by 2006. Further, due to the toxicity of materials within technology products, specifically monitors, the improper recycling of eWaste presents significant potential hazards to the environment and health. No national IT recycling infrastructure exists, so this is a problem that warrants increased national attention.
NRC Issues:
The NRC needs more prevalence in the media and to establish itself as the preeminent organization for all recycling issues. It needs to become the go to organization for media covering issues on or related to the reuse. Second, the NRC must continue to strengthen its relationship with industry and government.
What steps should the NRC take to strengthen its role and relationships with our affiliated state organizations?
Given that each affiliated state organization has its own challenges with its legislature with respect to recycling, the NRC should get more involved from a strategy, media and marketing perspective with respect to local statewide recycling initiatives. State organizations need to see tangible benefits from NRC membership, be it coordinated lobby days specifically for statewide initiatives, message development or helping to garner media attention. I believe many statewide organizations do not join because they are not sure of the tangible benefits to membership. This can be changed with a focus on providing assistance with selective statewide issues.
What individual or group in the field of recycling has had the most influence on you?
While I have owned a business in the recycling arena for more than eight years, I was not actively involved in the industry from a trade association perspective until I met Diane Shew, Executive Director of the Association of Ohio Recyclers, at an NRC national event. Through this chance meeting, Diane asked me to get involved with AOR. I joined the Board of Directors and have been inspired to become increasingly more involved in advocacy and policy for the recycling industry, particularly e-recycling.
How would you “sell” the importance of an NRC membership to a person who is unfamiliar with the NRC?
I would inform them of our ability to raise recycling awareness not only with those in the business, but with the general population. I would highlight the importance of recycling by explaining that the earth’s natural resources are not unlimited and that recycling will help to extend the life of our natural resources and protect these resources for future generations. The more members the NRC has, the more financial resources the NRC will have to advocate recycling and therefore create a cleaner, safer environment. The NRC’s roles as educator, recycling advocate, and recognition with national media as the voice of the recycling industry are all important reasons for why individuals and businesses should join the NRC.
How is the work you do as a professional compatible with NRC’s mission?
RetroBox handles the IT asset disposition for more than 90 Fortune 500 companies including Chevron Texaco, Union Bank of California, Nordstrom, Microsoft, Starbucks, International Paper and Washington Mutual, to name a few. RetroBox manages the disposition of information technology for companies by managing the information security and environmental recycling risks associated with IT recycling. RetroBox has a zero landfill target and its corporate mission is to ensure that IT products are reused or environmentally recycled exceeding all federal, state and local regulations. The general public can go to www.retrobox.com and buy refurbished machines. RetroBox generates more than $1 million per month 4 in sales of used IT for reuse. These sales represent tons of equipment that are diverted from landfills. In addition, RetroBox redirects tons of IT equipment from the waste stream through the recycling of IT with no remarket able value.
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.
In order to reach consensus among a group of peers with varied interests and/or positions on a specific issue, you must always return to the Coalition’s core values. These core values represent what everyone agrees are important and therefore can be the foundation for consensus. When people’s positions are in conflict with the Coalition’s core values, the core values must take precedent. The NRC’s values should be reviewed at every board meeting before the discussion of contentious issues.
What would be your personal goals as a member of the NRC Board of Directors?
My personal goals are to help the NRC:
1) Further raise awareness of the eWaste crisis, just as was done with other environmental issues like clean air, clean water, and endangered species. 2) Help businesses identify how to be environmentally conscious in a profitable way. For instance, companies who use the RetroBox’s IT disposition program often pay for the entire service through proceeds generated from the resale of the used IT assets or internal redeployment of IT from one department to another. I would help brainstorm additional ways businesses can “do well by doing good.” 3) Help bridge the divide that often exists between government and corporate interests by getting involved in NRC’s lobbying efforts. I have actively lobbied Congress on a number of issues with other organizations.