Willie K. Goode is the president and CEO of the Goode Companies, Inc., one of the largest privately held waste management and transportation companies in the Mid-Atlantic region. Goode Companies is celebrating its 30th year in business this year, a milestone reached, and a dream realized. Mr. Goode is a native Washingtonian, and proud graduate of Ballou High School in Southeast, Washington, D.C.

His strong work ethic was shaped as a teen working with his father and uncles in their small trash business, collecting trash six days a week as a helper on the back of a trash truck. This experience was the start of Mr. Goode’s love for trucks and his first glimpse of the potential for success in the trash industry. Upon graduation, Mr. Goode earned his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and started driving for two independent trucking companies.

Goode Companies is a certified minority business in the City of Baltimore, Prince George’s County, and other jurisdictions through the Capitol Region Minority Supplier Development Council (CRMSDC). The Goode Companies is a mentor in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8a Mentor Protégé Program. Mr. Goode has also developed six other waste-related small businesses to millions in sales, consistent with his philosophy and commitment to develop other minority businesses and support diversity and inclusion in the workforce. The Goode Companies has maintained a Second Chance Employment Program since its inception. As a result, returning citizens have gained tenured career opportunities through employee service to the company while positively impacting our communities.