Gauge success on setting goals and achieving them.
By John Paglia, III
With 2019 already better than half way through, year-after-year around this time we find ourselves asking where has the year gone. It is a good time to take a break and evaluate yourself and the industry. Most of the headline news has revolved around pending acquisition announced by Waste Management and recent completion of GFL Environmental acquiring Waste Industries. GFL has carried momentum from its 4th quarter acquisition of Waste Industries for $2.825 billion and continues to make big moves in the North American Market, making it the largest private company. In April of this year Waste Management also announced their deal to acquire Advanced Disposal and all their debt for a whopping $4.9 billion dollars.
Industry Evolution
While those are mega deals and in no way happened over night, they started with a common thread. Waste Management dates back to 1968, was born with $5,000 and a very determined dream to succeed by Wayne Huizenga. Along with his team in a span from 1968 to 1972, Waste Management became public and acquired 133 smaller haulers to accumulate 82 million in revenue. This momentum and leadership carried them to who they are today. These stories are very common for the industry. Another example is the story of Waste Pro’s CEO John Jennings and their growth as a very large private company. The longer I am in the industry, I too find myself wanting to grow my business. Blessed with a network of present day and past leaders of our industry, I have had the opportunity to sit with many leaders and learn from them. Like them, my passion for the industry and to see it evolve is my number one goal. When they see my passion, they undoubtedly have offered advice to assist me along the way, for which I am very appreciative.
A Changing View
I have the personality of gauging success on setting goals and achieving them. While some call it a negative, I see it as a positive in the fact that I’m never complacent or spend time celebrating minor achievements. My goal is to make Florida Express Environmental one of the largest private waste and recyclers in the industry. The only way I can do this, or for that matter would want to do it, is to be surrounded by a great team who shares the same vision and passion as I do. I want my company to be known where employees work “with” the company not “for it”. I want our industry, specifically my company, to be viewed as a career opportunity, not a “clock in/clock out” culture. As we continue to plan acquisitions and compete against the billion-dollar competition, it is my job to recruit future acquisitions to join our team and not theirs. Some acquisitions we have done recently, the previous owners wanted out upon sale, others want to stay around and join our culture. That is very rewarding for me as we forge a group of leaders that only make the whole stronger.
Any leader in life will tell you, it starts with a dream and a vision. It is my hope I can look back on this article prior to leaving this earth, knowing I set my dream and accomplished it. In doing so, I am sure I will be left with a lifetime of memories and relationships that will outlive me and my family. Any hauler that has a passion like I do, and wants to join our team, my contact information is below. My dreams have no limitations. | WA
John Paglia III is a 4th generation garbage man. Before he climbed the ranks to become Florida Express Environmental’s General Manager, he had a successful career in college and professional athletics. John has been around the garbage industry since his car seat days. Currently, John is focused on growing his company and offering the highest level of customer service and prolonging the world we live in today. John wakes up every day knowing the impact professional haulers have on their community is far greater than most realize. He can be reached at (352) 629-4349, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.floridaexpress.us.