LAS VEGAS, May 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) today announced that two employees were recognized with the prestigious Driver of the Year and Operator of the Year awards from the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA). Mike Juhan of Winder, Ga., was named National Commercial Driver of the Year, and Roberto Hernandez of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., was named the National Operator of the Year.
"Safety is the number one priority at Republic Services," said Jon Vander Ark, president. "It's why we continue to invest in our award-winning, best-in-class training program that enables our drivers and operators across the country to continually improve. On behalf of our 36,000 employees, I congratulate Mike, Roberto and their families on this extraordinary recognition."
For more than 25 years, the NWRA Driver of the Year and Operator of the Year programs have honored drivers and operators who uphold the field of recycling and waste collection as an honorable occupation, and have conducted themselves and the vehicles and equipment they operate in a safe and responsible manner. Mike and Roberto were honored by the industry and their peers during an awards program at the 2019 WasteExpo, which is the largest annual waste industry trade show in North America.
2019 National Commercial Driver of the Year: Mike Juhan
Mike Juhan has spent more than 20 years in the industry and is a certified residential and small container collection truck driver. He has had no preventable crashes or injuries throughout his entire career. Mike is also the two-time reigning local ROAD-EO champion – Republic's local skills competition for drivers and operators.
Mike takes great pride in the communities he serves, and is willing to go above and beyond for the Company. Mike is part of Republic's SOS program that consists of volunteer drivers from across the country who are deployed to service routes in the aftermath of natural disasters.
When he is not driving a collection truck, Mike volunteers at the local food bank, teaches Sunday school, and serves as a deacon in his church.
2019 Landfill Operator of the Year: Roberto Hernandez
For 25 years, Roberto Hernandez has been an essential part of Republic's landfill operations team. He has maintained a flawless safety record with no crashes or injuries, in addition to a perfect attendance record. He was a three-time NWRA Operator of the Year finalist before his win this year.
Roberto is a model employee and takes great pride in his profession. He is a selfless leader and has mentored countless employees, inspiring team members to approach each day with a willingness to go above and beyond for customers. He is admired company-wide for his commitment to excellence.
A devoted family man, Roberto and his wife have four children. He is dedicated to his family, his faith and serving his community.
Republic's Commitment to Safety
Since 2009, Republic drivers have won 75 percent of the NWRA Driver of the Year awards, an honor that celebrates exemplary customer service and superior driver safety records. This is Republic's first NWRA Operator of the Year winner.
Republic's relentless commitment to safety has led to the formation of comprehensive, industry-leading safety programs that rely on continual training to reduce incident frequency. Last year, roughly 14,000 employees earned Republic's Dedicated to Safety Award, and 4,000 employees received the Dedicated to Excellence recognition. Over the past 10 years, Republic's safety performance, based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data, has been 40 percent better than the industry average. The Company's Think. Choose. Live. slogan encapsulates its number one safety message to employees: Think about what you are doing, Choose the safe answer, and Live to go home to your family.
About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. is an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal. Through its subsidiaries, Republic's collection companies, recycling centers, transfer stations and landfills focus on providing effective solutions to make responsive waste disposal effortless for its 14 million customers. We'll handle it from here.®, the brand's promise, lets customers know they can count on Republic to provide a superior experience while fostering a sustainable Blue Planet for future generations to enjoy a cleaner, safer and healthier world.
For more information, visit the Republic Services website at RepublicServices.com. "Like" Republic on Facebook at Facebook.com/RepublicServices and follow on Twitter @RepublicService and Instagram @republic_services.
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