Waste Not Want Not: WASTE PRO SEPARATES ITSELF
W
by
Susan Haugen ’10MBA
hen you first meet Don Phillips ’67 ’68MBA, you wonder how this calm, well dressed, quiet-spoken man got involved in the world of garbage. His resume describes a successful businessman who left the Central Florida
area upon graduation from the Rollins MBA program and worked in Boston, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and other points along the east coast. His employers include Fortune 500 companies, GE, Cooper Industries, and his own company Accountants on Call. It wasn’t until he retired that he developed an interest in garbage. Now the Chief Financial Officer of
States. It tackles the responsibility
The most common assumption
Waste Pro, Don Phillips has become
of removing — daily — mountains
by consumers of what happens to
an integral part of a remarkable
of waste from the homes and
trash after it is hauled away is that
organization. He has shepherded its
businesses of seven states. It
it goes to a landfill. Yet, Don states
growth from $15 million in revenue
handles waste collection, recycling,
emphatically: “Oh, we avoid landfills!
8 years ago to greater than $400
processing, and disposal, serving
We do everything we can to divert
million this year, seeing a 40% annual
more than 1.4 million customers,
waste from landfills. There is a
growth rate despite the economic
and operating two of the country’s
government mandate that 75% of all
challenges that are facing companies
largest paper, plastic, and glass
consumer waste should be deferred
all over the world.
recycling facilities. However, it
from landfills by 2025, and Waste
sets itself apart from others in the
Pro expects to be able to meet that
Don modestly makes it clear, “I’m
industry in some key ways: through
requirement long before that date.”
not the real story of Waste Pro.
excellent customer service, high
This has led to aggressive recycling
That’s our president and CEO, John
employee satisfaction, and through
processes and innovative thinking
Jennings. I’m involved, but he is the
its commitment to ecological
as the company seeks ways to turn
driving force behind this company.”
sustainability.
waste into energy.
However, Don has a wide range of responsibilities for all financial aspects of the company’s operations. He manages financial, human resources, and risk management staff, as well as acting as the interface with banking partners and private equity partners. In addition, his involvement with the acquisitions and growth of the company has made a lasting impact on Waste Pro. Waste Pro is the largest and fastest growing privately owned solid waste company in the Southeastern United
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Don Phillips ’67 ’68MBA