NORA installs new leadership

Newly elected leadership for NORA, an Association of Responsible Recyclers, took office during the 2023 NORA Annual Conference & Trade Show in November in San Antonio.  

Carrie Reese of Circon, La Porte, Texas, will succeed Ken Bentfeld of Valicor Environmental Services, Monroe, Ohio, as president of the board. Bentfeld served as NORA’s 2022-23 president.  

“It is an honor to serve as NORA’s 26th president,” Reese says. “NORA will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024. I look forward to building off the success of the past presidents and working with the board of directors to build a stronger and bigger association.” 

Based in Gainesville, Virginia, the trade association represents more than 300 leading companies involved in recycling used oil, oily wastewater and related materials that would otherwise negatively impact the environment.  

Also elected was Jeff Baxter of California-based World Oil Corp., who will serve as the board’s executive vice president. Baxter has been a member of the board for three years and will serve another two in the vice president seat.  

Four other board members were elected: Mitch Jefcoat of Heritage-Crystal Clean, Hoffman Estates, Illinois; Eric Spencer of EcoLube Recovery, Puyallup, Washington; John Wasilchuk of Gallagher, Rolling Meadows, Illinois; and Jesse Watson of Innovative Resource Management, Summerville, South Carolina. Existing board members Mills Heard of CRH Americas Materials, Atlanta, Georgia; and Steve Lewis of Blue Tide Environmental, Plano, Texas were reelected.  

“The value of being a member of NORA continues to grow because of the oversight and direction of our board of directors,” says Scott D. Parker, NORA executive director. “The past and current leadership have ensured that the association is well positioned to help protect and grow the industry.”  

NORA also recognized the efforts of members who were leaving the board after years of service, including Ellie Bruce of Heritage-Crystal Clean, Jeff Biamonte of ExxonMobil Fuels and Lubricants, Spring, Texas; Mark Giaquinto of Noble Oil Services, Sanford, North Carolina; and Gary Risse of Trihydro Corp., Laramie, Wyoming.  

The newly elected board will have its first official meeting at the 2024 NORA Winter Meeting and EH&S Forum in March.