Executive Leadership Breakfast Speaker

NASA Astronaut, Navy SEAL, CEO and President of the National Medal of Honor Museum

"Mission Possible - Its all You"
A decorated veteran of the sea, air, land, and outer space, Captain Chris Cassidy is among the leaders of an exclusive and distinguished group of accomplished military astronauts who have made an impact on and beyond this world. Recognized for his leadership and achievements as a United States Navy SEAL and a NASA astronaut, CAPT Cassidy’s various military deployments and spaceflight missions provided the catalysts for an action-packed career where he made the most of every opportunity presented to him, even in challenging and high-stakes environments.

Executive Leadership Lunch Speaker

"Investing in Leadership, Investing in You"

Dr. Tom Epperson,  is the President of InnerWill Leadership Institute and has over twenty years of experience as a leadership coach, facilitator, and speaker, and regularly works with organizations, family businesses and the families behind them to help transform their leadership.  Dr. Epperson will speak prior to the Recycling Awards presentations during the Leadership lunch.

PAC Reception Speaker

U.S. Representative Buddy Carter, 1st District of Georgia; Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials

Earl L. “Buddy” Carter is an experienced businessman, health care professional and faithful public servant. For over 32 years Buddy owned Carter’s Pharmacy, Inc. where South Georgians trusted him with their most valuable assets: their health, lives and families. While running his business, he learned how to balance a budget and create jobs. 

A committed public servant, Buddy previously served as the Mayor of Pooler, Georgia and in the Georgia General Assembly where he used his business experience to make government more efficient and responsive to the people. Buddy is serving his fifth term in the United States House of Representatives and is a member of the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee and the House Budget Committee. He proudly serves as Chairman of the E&C Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials, where he prioritizes beating China, reducing emissions, unleashing American energy, and creating a pro-growth business environment.

Additional Speakers

President and CEO of the National Waste & Recycling Association

Michael Hoffman has been an active member of NWRA for several years and is a veteran of the sector with decades of environmental industry financial experience.

For more than 37 years, Hoffman’s focus has been the waste and recycling industry, having most recently served as Stifel’s managing director and group head of diversified industrial research for the environmental services, specialty distribution and other industrial sectors.

Hoffman has been recognized for his expertise and contribution to the industry by being inducted into NWRA’s Hall of Fame in 2020 and ranking No. 2 in pollution control from Institutional Investor, Greenwich Associates and Reuters.