NSWMA Organization, Staff, Mission & History

NSWMA is a trade association representing for-profit companies in North America that provide solid, hazardous and medical waste collection, recycling and disposal services, and companies that provide professional and consulting services to the waste services industry.

NSWMA is a full service trade association, with close ties to its members. It is directed by a Board of Governors, elected from the membership, which establishes policy and oversees its professional staff.

Mission and History

On May 23, 1962, our association was started. It was formed as the National Council of Refuse Disposal Trade Associations and was first managed by an association management firm in Chicago. On January 12, 1968, the group moved to DC, was formerly chartered as NSWMA and hired its first three full-time staff, including Executive Director Harold Gershowitz. In 1973, Eugene J. Wingerter, who had been NSWMA's technical director was promoted to succeed Gershowitz.

In 1993, a major reorganization of NSWMA took place. As part of this reorganization, the Waste and Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC) was formed, and both NSWMA and WASTEC became quasi-independent trade associations under the umbrella of the Environmental Industry Associations. Wingerter served as NSWMA's Executive Director until the reorganization and then served as the President and CEO of EIA. When Wingerter departed EIA on April 1, 1994, Allen "Mike" Frischkorn Jr., became the President and CEO of EIA.

On February 10, 1997, Bruce J. Parker became the acting President and CEO of EIA and the Executive Vice President of NSWMA. He formally took over the position of President and CEO of EIA and the Executive Vice President of NSWMA later that year. On May 31, 2012, Parker retired.

Sharon H. Kneiss became the new President and CEO of EIA on June 1, 2012.

Since its founding, NSWMA’s members operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our members consist of large publicly-traded companies and both small and large privately-owned companies, all of which share NSWMA’s mission statement which is to:

• Promote the management of waste in a manner that is environmentally responsible, efficient, profitable and ethical, while benefiting the public and protecting employees.
• NSWMA accomplishes this mission by providing our members with educational and training opportunities, research, and federal and state advocacy capability.

Association Info

Chapters & Regions | Role of Regional Offices | Chapter Officers | Councils & Institutes
NSWMA Staff | Board of Governors | Member Directory | Awards