(March 21, 2024 - Washington, D.C.) – ISRI, the Voice of the Recycled Materials Industry™, will recognize Joel Denbo with its 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Joel is being honored for his inspirational leadership, priority on safety, and his lifelong commitment and service to the recycled materials industry.
“I’m so excited that ISRI has chosen to honor Joel for his life-long contributions to the recycled materials industry through this award.” said ISRI President Robin Wiener. “Joel has provided dynamic vision and dedicated leadership to the industry and to ISRI specifically. It was Joel’s vision that transformed ISRI’s focus on safety and risk management, creating ISRI’s safety outreach program that helped transform the safety record of the industry as a whole. His service and commitment to the industry and its workers are a testament to the impact leadership can have.”
Joel has served in the recycled materials industry for more than 40 years, formerly serving as chief manager of operations (CEO) of Tennessee Valley Recycling, LLC in Decatur, Alabama and as director of special projects, Georgia Region for SA Recycling, also in Decatur. Joel also serves as president of Denbo Iron & Metal Company, Inc. in Decatur, as well as managing member of Denbo Metal Recovery, LLC in Pulaski, Tennessee.
“Receiving the ISRI Lifetime Achievement Award is an incredible honor that I’m humbled by,” said Joel. “I’ve been fortunate to be part of so many of ISRI’s initiatives and to work with the most incredible leaders. Together, I’m proud to have helped ISRI become such a driving force in championing the recycled materials industry on the important issues of our time.”
Joel has provided significant contributions to the recycled materials industry through his ISRI leadership. He is a former chair of the ISRI Board of Directors and a current Board member. He has maintained active involvement in ISRI and currently chairs the ISRI Resources committee. He served ISRI’s Southeastern Chapter as president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary, in addition to numerous ISRI committee chair and member positions. Joel has been a frequent contributor to ISRI member publications.
In addition to his professional service, Joel has been an active member of his community in many roles. He has served on Lt. Governor Don Siegelman’s Legislative Council on Education, and participated in the Dreamweavers Children’s Theater, Decatur City Schools, Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Decatur Kiwanis Club, Operation Better Decatur, and United Way of Morgan County. Joel served as a board member of Temple B’nai Sholom in Huntsville, Alabama.
“Joel’s unique leadership in the recycled materials industry is inspirational,” said ISRI Chair Brian Henesey. “Through the years, he’s been instrumental in helping guide our industry through innovation and positive transformation, especially in ISRI’s priority of safety.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually by ISRI’s chair to bestow recognition and honor upon an individual(s) in the recycled materials industry whose name and deeds are synonymous with integrity and the pursuit of excellence, and who has made significant contributions over their lifetime to the recycled materials industry and the organization. Joel will be recognized during the awards presentation on April 16, 2024 during ISRI2024 Convention and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Members of the press are invited to attend ISRI2024 free-of-charge by registering with vmorgan@isri.org.
To learn more about the recycled materials industry, visit www.isri.org.
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For more information contact: Vicki Morgan, (202) 975-9042, vmorgan@isri.org
ISRI is the "Voice of the Recycled Materials Industry™," representing more than 1,700 companies in the U.S. and 40 countries around the globe. Based in Washington, D.C., ISRI provides advocacy, education, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycled materials play in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development.