Casella Drivers Sweep Regional Driver of the Year Awards

National Waste & Recycling Association recognizes Casella drivers as industry’s best.

RUTLAND, Vt., May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, is pleased to announce that four drivers were recently honored by the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) as part of its annual Drivers and Operators of the Year program.

Casella drivers swept the regional category, as Curtis Rhodes (Commercial), Shawn Dutton (Residential), and John Michaud (Industrial) were each named the top driver in their respective disciplines, while Cesarin “Cesar” Guerrero earned honorable mention in the Industrial category.

The Driver of the Year awards are for those drivers who operate their trucks in a safe and responsible manner, have outstanding performance records and whose contributions have enhanced the overall safety and image of the solid waste industry. The breakdown of the categories is: Local Company, less than 500 truck fleet; Regional Company, 500 to 2,500 truck fleet; and National Company, more than 2,500 truck fleet.

“These drivers represent our commitment to safety every day and I could not be prouder of all of them,” said John W. Casella, Chairman and CEO of Casella. “To sweep the regional category, and to have four drivers recognized from four separate hauling divisions, is a credit to the drivers, their operations teams, and the entire organization. It really illustrates the value that we place on safe operations and the commitment we make to the customers and communities we serve.”

Independent judges selected the winners based on letters of recommendation and the difficulty of the route based on factors such as number of pickups and miles driven weekly. Out of hundreds of applications from member companies representing close to 80,000 routed trucks, the four Casella drivers' commitment to excellence and safety set them apart from the rest.

Regional Commercial Driver of the Year: Curtis Rhodes
With each of his 38 years in the industry, Curtis Rhodes (Brattleboro, Vermont) is dedicated to a job well done and done safely. Rhodes has accomplished decades of exemplary service, while maintaining a safety record with no incidents. His teammates look up to him, as he often takes the time to train new employees and mentor others to ensure safe and service-focused operations across the board.