Cam Awesome is a man who has faced more adversity than most of us can imagine. 

He’s been knocked down, both literally and figuratively, more times than he can count. 

But each time, he has picked himself up, dusted himself off, and continued to chase his dreams with unwavering determination. 

Cam is a multi-time National Champion Heavyweight Olympic record-breaking boxer, a captivating storyteller, and a true inspiration to anyone who has ever felt like giving up. 

Through his powerful message, he will teach you how to develop a champion's mindset, embrace the power of failure, and unleash your full potential. 

He will show you that with the right attitude and work ethic, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve your wildest dreams.

Joe's journey with IWRC began as a student intern, and over the past 20 years, he's helped shape the organization's growth and services. Now, as Director, he leads a team of passionate professionals, overseeing the day-to-day operations, staff supervision, and strategic partnerships with organizations across the state and country. 
 

Steve Carl graduated from the University of Arizona in Agricultural Science before becoming the manager of a 21,000-acre farm in Fresno, CA. After farming, he joined the family business developing chemistry and contract servicing for cleaning water and wastewater piping systems. This included a 10-year worldwide contract for chemical cleaning for the US Navy. PES has been chemical cleaning landfill systems since 2009, and Steve has worked and presented with Dr. Craig Benson at EREF, Dr. Nick Chen at UCF and Dr. Yalan Liu at FAU.

Mark Hoadley is Co-Founder and CEO of Hauler Hero, a cloud-native waste and recycling hauler management platform. With a background scaling vertical SaaS platforms through multiple growth stages, Mark brings enterprise software expertise to an industry long underserved by modern technology.

At Hauler Hero, Mark leads a team combining experienced software engineers with waste industry veterans who bring over 50 years of operational experience. This unique composition enables the development of AI solutions built for the realities of waste hauling operations from computer vision for automated service verification to conversational AI that reduces CSR workload.

Mark's approach to AI implementation emphasizes measurable outcomes over theoretical capabilities, with particular focus on why cloud-native architecture is essential for effective AI deployment in an industry still dominated by legacy on-premise systems.

Zac has been involved in the composting industry since April 2022, when he became a Certified Compost Operator in the State of Iowa. Since November 2022, he has managed the CRLCWSA's compost site, gaining hands-on experience with operations, material management, and community education around composting practices. CRLCSWA won the 2025 Compost Manufacturer of the Year Award from the USCC. He serves as the IACC Board Chair and the USCC's Compost Market Development Committee. He has been in the solid waste industry since September 2018. His educational background includes a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Human, Youth, and Leisure Services, with an emphasis on Community Recreation. 

Jen Jordan is the City of Iowa City's Resource Management Superintendent. She oversees the landfill, compost facility, and curbside collections. She currently serves on the SWAP and Sustainable Materials Management committees and is a past board member of IRA and ISOSWO. She also served on the State's Iowa Compost Regulations Working Group. Jen has a BS in Geography (2002) and a MA in Urban and Regional Planning (2005), both from the University Iowa. 

Tony Knight has over 30 years of industry experience and is currently the CEO of New Waste Concepts, Inc, an industry leader in daily cover manufacturing, tracked application equipment, evaporation equipment, and other waste industry solutions.   

Brad McAlister grew up in the heartland of the U.S., splitting his years between Missouri and Iowa. He began his career in the family business as a heavy equipment mechanic and service manager. Over the years, he grew into a dedicated service technician in the recycling industry. From C&D to composting and landfill operations, Brad traveled throughout the U.S. repairing and installing processing equipment in the recycling world.

In 2021, Brad transitioned into the Midwest Territory Manager for Ecoverse, a leader in the recycling and composting industry, where he now sells high-quality processing equipment, bringing his mechanical expertise and passion for sustainability to producers across the Midwest.  

Ken currently serves as the Solid Waste Agency Administrator for the City of Dubuque. In this role, he performs administrative work in support of the activities of the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency's Board of Directors, leading long-range planning, public engagement, developing new initiatives, project management, and environmental compliance. He also serves on professional boards at both the state and multinational levels. His goal is to utilize waste to create an economic engine for systemic, positive environmental change.

Fearghal Murphy joined WIS is 2020, a company that is leading in the development of technology, automation and AI for the waste collection industry. Fearghal is a regular guest speaker at waste conferences where he focuses on new and emerging tech that will shape how we operate in the future. In addition to his remit with WIS, he also created Talking Trash, a YouTube channel dedicated to the waste industry. Fearghal has also worked closely with the NWRA and SWANA on industry projects over the last number of years. 

Jeff Phillips is a Senior Project Manager with SCS Engineers and has more than 24 years of experience overseeing solid waste management projects for municipalities, solid waste agencies, and both private and public entities. 

Cassie Riley is the Community Engagement Manager for Metro Waste Authority where she leads programs for curbside garbage, yard waste, and recycling. Her work spans the intersection of cities, service providers, and the people who rely on these systems every day. 

She holds a degree in organizational communication from the University of Northern Iowa and a master's in communication and leadership from Park University. Cassie is in her second term on the Iowa Recycling Association board. 

Theresa Stiner is an Environmental Specialist Senior in the Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites Section of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With 27 years of experience at Iowa DNR, she has worked across various programs, including household hazardous materials, beverage container deposits, electronics recycling, and extended producer responsibility issues.

Currently, Theresa is the lead for both Compost Facilities permitting and Land Application permitting. She is also heavily involved in updating the administrative rules for solid waste programs.

Theresa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dordt College, with a major in Environmental Studies and a minor in Political Science. She also successfully completed the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program at Drake University.

Mike Sullivan is the Supervisor for the Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites Section in the Land Quality Bureau at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He has over 18 years of experience in solid waste, hazardous waste, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and air pollution in state government, local government, research, and environmental consulting. Mike lives in Ames, IA with his wife and four children and enjoys hiking, volunteering, and attending his kids' sporting events.

Jane Wilch is the City of Iowa City's Recycling Coordinator, where she manages programs and outreach for all waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting programs. She is the Landfill's Environmental Management System Representative for the DNR's EMS program, serves on the Derelict Building Grant Review Committee, is a past board member of the Iowa Recycling Association, and currently serves on the Iowa Composting Council board. Jane has a dual BA in Environmental Sciences and Environmental Policy and Planning, with a Certificate in Sustainability, from the University of Iowa, 2014. 

Jennifer Wright is an Environmental Program Supervisor with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IA DNR)-Land Quality Bureau. In this role, Jennifer leads a team of professionals within the Financial and Business Assistance Section who work with Iowa citizens, businesses and communities to provide financial and technical assistance resulting in cost-effective improvements, opportunities for increased productivity and positive environmental impacts. Jennifer has 30+ years of experience in environmental management and compliance in both private and public sectors.