2025 has kicked off with several changes for NAHMMA and that theme will continue as we celebrate our 32nd year.
By Kenneth Miller
Welcome to the NAHMMA Corner! This month we are going to reflect on and discuss some exciting changes for the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association for 2024.
Board Changes
The new year ushers in changes to the NAHMMA Board of Directors with one member retiring form the Board, two new members joining the Board, and some new faces on our executing leadership team. Our volunteer-run organization is celebrating its 32nd year in 2025 and sincerely appreciates the members who have served and loaned their talents to our organization as Board or committee members.
I would like to thank Catherine Eichner, who is transitioning off the Board this year. Catherine most recently served as Board of Directors鈥� Vice President. Catherine served many roles during her time with NAHMMA, including Board Secretary and Conference App Guru at the Association level and various roles at the chapter level. The Board would like to thank her for her years of dedicated service, and we will miss seeing her on our calls and at the conference.
鈥淚t has been an honor and a privilege to serve this amazing association for the betterment of our industry. I鈥檒l always cherish the memories and friendships I have made along the way,鈥� said Catherine.
With Catherine exiting, and a vacant seat on the board open, two members who have been active in NAHMMA for several years and familiar to most of our members, Carlos Duque and Jennifer Heaton-Jones, were nominated and elected to the Board of Directors. I am thrilled to welcome them to our leadership team.
Executive Leadership Team Roles
Speaking of the leadership team, this year also brings changes to the executive leadership team. As previously mentioned, Catherine has transitioned off the Board and Jeff Gloyd is transitioning back to the role of an at large Board Member after having served the previous two years as an At-Large member of the Executive Committee. Richard Lobinske (Treasurer), Jordan Wells (Secretary) and I (President) will continue to serve on the Executive Committee. Joining us this year on the Executive Committee are Carmelita Nichols (Vice President) and Shelly Fuller (At-Large).
The entire Board would like to thank both Jeff and Catherine for their years of service on the Executive Committee.
Photos courtesy of NAHMMA.
Moving Forward
I am thrilled to be serving the membership for a third year as NAHMMA President. My priorities for NAHMMA in 2025 will include strengthening and enhancing the organization by:
鈥� Improved Transparency
鈥� Documented Policies and Standard Operating Procedures
鈥� Financial stability
鈥� Member Value
Accomplishing these priorities is no small task, and as a volunteer-run organization, I want and need members at all levels to participate in the process. To help shape the future of NAHMMA, I am asking our members to consider joining one of our committees. Any member may request to join one of the standing committees listed on our website, nahmma.org. If there is a committee you would like to join, simply log into the member area, and e-mail the listed committee contacts, or reach out to me at [email protected].
As we move forward as an organization, several other significant changes will occur in 2025. The 10 current NAHMMA Chapters鈥� structure will change from Chapter Boards to Chapter Committees to properly reflect the way NAHMMA is structured as an organization. In addition, members will see more documents shared in the member portal to increase transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
2025 has kicked off with several changes for NAHMMA and that theme will continue as we celebrate our 32nd year. It is not too early to plan to network, train, and celebrate with NAHMMA at the 40th Annual Hazardous Materials Management Conference in Naperville, IL from September 21 鈥� 25! | WA
Kenneth Miller currently serves as the NAHMMA Board of Directors as President. He is the current Solid Waste Agency Administrator at the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA). In addition to his involvement with NAHMMA, Ken is also a member of several other professional organizations, including SWANA, the Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operator (ISOSWO 鈥� Board Member), the Iowa Recycling Association (IRA), the United States Composting Council, and the Iowa Composting Council. Connect with him on LinkedIn e-mail him at [email protected], or visit .