FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services, Inc.
(NYSE: RSG) announced today that James E. O'Connor, 49, has been named Chief
Executive Officer and has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors,
effective immediately.
Concurrent with Mr. O'Connor's appointment, H. Wayne Huizenga remains
Chairman of the Board, Whit Hudson remains Vice Chairman and James Cosman
remains President and Chief Operating Officer, reporting to Mr. O'Connor.
Mr. O'Connor most recently served as a Senior Vice President of Waste
Management, Inc., the world's largest environmental services company. In this
position, he was responsible for the company's eight-state Southeast region.
"We are delighted to have someone of Jim's caliber take the leadership
reigns at Republic Services," said Mr. Huizenga. "Jim's record of achievement
in the waste services industry is superb. His experience and leadership skills
will help guide Republic Services to even greater prosperity."
Mr. O'Connor's career at Waste Management began in 1972, when he joined
the Oakbrook, Ill., company as a staff accountant. From there, Mr. O'Connor
moved up through the company's ranks, stopping only for a four-year period
during which he managed his own solid waste collection company in Indiana. He
rejoined Waste Management in 1982 and became Vice President of the company's
Southeastern Region in 1987. In 1991, he was named Senior Vice President of
Waste Management North America, and in 1992 he was named Area President with
responsibility for $1.8 billion of the company's revenue.
"I have been very fortunate in my career, but this new opportunity with
Republic Services affords me a unique opportunity to lead a fast-growing
company during an exciting period in the waste services industry," said Mr.
O'Connor.
Mr. O'Connor is active in the community, serving on the boards of the
Broward Workshop and Children's Cardiac Foundation, and as a Member of the
Board of Advisors for the Broward Economic Development Council and Broward
County Make-A-Wish Foundation. He's also a trustee of Florida Tax Watch, the
Museum of Art, and St. Thomas Aquinas High School Foundation. In 1995, Mr.
O'Connor received the Jewish National Fund's Tree of Life Award. The
organization is involved with Israel's environmental development.
Mr. O'Connor and his wife, Cathy, live in Coral Springs, Florida. They
have three children -- a daughter, Kerry O'Connor Stiles, and two sons, James
and Kevin O'Connor.
Republic Services, Inc., is one of the largest providers of non-hazardous
solid waste collection and disposal services in the United States. Its
operating units provide solid waste collection services for commercial,
industrial, municipal and residential customers in 28 states.
SOURCE Republic Services, Inc.