The Virginia Waste Industries Association (VWIA), the state’s chapter of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NW&RA), today announced the appointment of a new regional chapter manager. Bob Kania, who previously served as chair of VWIA before stepping down earlier this year, takes over as regional chapter manager from former chapter manager Mike Dobson. VWIA also launched a new website to align with the parent association’s new brand. “I am excited to come back in a new capacity to help strengthen and grow VWIA’s impact on the waste and recycling industry in Virginia,” Kania said.
With more than 42 years of experience in the waste industry, Kania most recently served as division manager for Waste Industries in Chesapeake, Virginia, before retiring. He has been active in VWIA since 1995, championing the industry and raising the organization’s profile in Virginia to become highly respected by legislators and regulators. Kania has held numerous leadership positions with VWIA, serving as vice chairman from 2010 to 2011 and as chairman from 2012 to 2013 term. He was honored with NW&RA’s Distinguished Service Award at the 46th annual WasteExpo in Atlanta this April.
Dobson, who served as VWIA’s first president, was first selected as a regional manager in 2000 and has served ever since. After stepping down, he will continue to chair the chapter’s fundraising committee. He retired from Waste Management after decades of experience in the waste industry, having also served as past president of the former Tri-State Chapter of NW&RA and sitting on the Association’s Board of Governors for three years. Dobson also received the NW&RA Distinguished Service Award, in 1988. “Over the years, I have treasured working with VWIA and the National Waste & Recycling Association,” Dobson said. “And in my fundraising role, I’ll still get to see members, which is important to me. Those men and women are the heart and soul of this industry.”
For more information, visit www.vwia.com or www.wasterecycling.org.