Speaker Biography
Chris Kemp
Key Note Speaker
Chris is a Brigadier General (Retired), US Army, with over 34 years of experience in Telecommunications, IT, and Cyber Security, along with 17 years in the law enforcement profession. During his time with the Army, Chris served at every level of command from Platoon Leader to Division Commander. He was forward deployed multiple times, serving as a staff principal for Third US Army and as the Commander of a Signal Brigade in Afghanistan and a Theater Signal Command in Kuwait. His speeches have been heard by hundreds of thousands he was a featured keynote at TEDx.
Jim Roberts
Public Information, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
With over 40 years of public relations and media experience, Jim Roberts has provided the recognition and direction for all areas of corporate and broadcast communications.
Roberts’ is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Journalism Award, instrumental in the publicity/PR launch of the FOX TV Network/FOX Sports in Los Angeles and Denver, NBC reporter, CNN business anchor, Director/Consultant of CBS Radio News operations, and awarded ECUA’s 2018 “Employee of the Year.”
Roberts continues to enhance the recognition of ECUA working to establish an “environmentally-friendly” image and brand, which is recognized as an excellent model for residents in local communities to embrace.
Scott F. Pilgreen
Fire Marshal, Alabama State Fire Marshal
Before becoming the Alabama State Fire Marshal, Scott Pilgreen began his career in law enforcement over 39 years ago at the Montgomery Police Department. He left MD in 1989 to join the State Fire Marshal's Office as Deputy State Fire Marshall. He was promoted to Alabama State Fire Marshal in 2016. He currently serves on a number of boards/commissions which include the Personnel Standards and Training Commission at the Alabama Fire College, the Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gas Board and the Alabama Energy and Residential Code Board at ADECA
About the Alabama State Fire Marshall Office:
The SFMO conducts inspections of buildings and properties to ensure the buildings are safe for occupancy for their intended use, and provides for adequate exits in the event of fire, disaster or other emergencies. Along with permitting various facilities, the SFMO investigate fires, explosions and any related crimes. Assistance is provided to fire departments and other law enforcement agencies in the prevention of arson and explosions, and provides support to the courts for prosecution of cases made by its personnel. The office provides training for the public, courts, fire and law enforcement departments in fire prevention, fire investigation, detection of arson, and education for the interpretation of fire and building codes and life safety regulations.
Dave Keeling, National Recycling Coalition President
David Keeling is the Director of Recycling for the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI). Mr. Keeling has been with the SRI in various positions since 1990. As discussed below, his recycling and construction related activities allow him to travel extensively throughout the United States while supporting the activities of the state recycling organizations and local chapters of the United States Green Building Council.
Mr. Keeling’s recycling related responsibilities include working on the regional, state, county and community levels to maximize steel recycling efforts, as well as expand the steel recycling infrastructure and developing additional end markets for post-consumer steel. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Cooperative Training and Recycling Assistance, a cooperative marketing organization for rural communities based in Austin, TX. He also serves as a board member for the National Recycling Association, the Southeast Recycling Development Council and as an advisory member for the Northeast Recycling Council and the Toxic in Packaging Clearinghouse.
His construction related responsibilities require him to serve as an informational resource about the sustainable attributes of steel construction to the building community. His main focus has been to foster and expand his relationships with the staff, leadership, and members of the local chapters of the United States Green Building Council and other construction-related organizations. He is a LEED Accredited Professional in the United States Green Building Council and is a member of multiple local USGBC chapters throughout the country.
Mr. Keeling holds a B.S. in Marketing from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Mr. Keeling currently serves as Chair of the Pi Sigma Epsilon National Education Foundation which supports sales and marketing education and provides scholarships to college students interested in sales and marketing careers. He is a Past National President of the Pi Sigma Epsilon, Inc.
Bonner Williams, ASM Recycling
Bonner Williams graduated from the University of Alabama in 2009 earning a B.S. in Biology. In 2011, he began his career in the recycling industry with ASM Recycling, Inc. As director of purchasing, Bonner is responsible for the oversight of procuring over 10 million pounds of metal annually. Bonner also coordinates all daily transportation operations for ASM.
Emily Smith, Coffee County Environmental Services
Emily Smith is a 2009 graduate of Troy University with a bachelor's degree in marine biology. Upon graduation, Emily decided to go into the environmental field where she now has 9+ years of experience. She is the environmental technician for Coffee County Environmental Services. There she manages and maintains a landfill gas collection system (from initial build in 2009), conducts all environmental sampling in accordance with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for three landfills and the tire processing facility. In addition to these duties, Emily aids in overseeing the material recovery program, as well as, the tire processing facility.
Tracy Outlaw, Caraustar Recycle Group; Division Safety Manager
Motto: “Keep it Simple”.
Tracy has more than 20 years of safety experience in the recycling, solid waste industry & transportation industry. In her career, she has delivered world class safety results by evolving a “True” culture of safety based on employee engagement/involvement, management leadership, behavior based safety, and communication. Tracy has developed many safety processes and training, as well as, worked with teams in development projects. She holds numerous certifications, instructor certifications, and is affiliated with National Safety Council, National Solid Waste Association of North America, and Women’s Professional Network. She is a proud a U.S. Army Veteran and was a member of one of the last troops to guard the Berlin Wall.
Ed Renna, Preco Electronics, Eastern Regional Sales Manager
With over 30 years of leadership, sales & service experience in public, private, and government sectors, Ed joined Preco Electronics at the beginning of 2018, and appreciates their true focus on the value of safety technology in the medium-heavy duty equipment market. At the end of the day it’s really about enhancing the Culture of Safety & Accountability within, driving safe work practices, and ensuring everyone makes it home at night. Ed previously worked under the Preco umbrella for 14 years in various sales, service, and executive roles. He ran his own consulting firm for over 10 years and is a 9 Year Veteran of the U.S. Nuclear Navy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree from the University of Phoenix.
Charmayne Watson, Caraustar
Charmayne N. Watson current treasurer of the Alabama Recycling Coalition and a 1993 graduate of Troy State University with a degree in Business Administration / Marketing. With over 22 years’ experience in the recycling industry; she is employed with Caraustar Industries Recycling Division, as a procurement representative in Mobile Alabama.
She is very active in her church and community by serving as church treasurer, women missionary league member, and a church trustee. She is very passionate about mentoring high school senior girls with Mobile Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She is also a 15 year board member of Keep Mobile Beautiful Inc. and has held multiple positions. Charmayne is the mother of one son, Jordan.
Rachel Mansell
City of Florence, Education and Outreach Coordinator
In 2015, the City of Florence was chosen by The Recycling Partnership as one of the first cities to receive a grant to help them achieve city-wide curbside cart collection. Rachel is also currently serving as President of the Alabama Recycling Coalition. She has a Master’s in Education. She worked as an educator in the Florence School System before making the journey into the recycling world.
Noel Hand
City of Gulf Shores, Assistant Director of Public Works
As assistant director of the City of Gulf Shores Public Works, I oversee the daily operations of Maintenance, Streets, Recycling, Custodial and Landscape Divisions. Our Recycling Department manages the city’s recycling drop off center and maintains the recycling receptacles. In July of 2014, the city implemented a pilot program of beach side trash and recycle pickup. During the pilot program we collected 10 tons of material. 4 years later, the City now manages and processes over 200 tons of recycling! We have also spearheaded special events to become greener events and make a heavy emphasis on recycling.
Christina Hall
Environmental Scientist Senior, Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Christina is a graduate of the University of South Alabama and is currently working as a Senior Environmental Scientist at the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Her responsibilities at ADEM include overseeing the registration and reporting program for recycling facilities, administering recycling grants through the Alabama Recycling Fund, maintaining the Re-TRAC reporting system, promoting recycling through various outreach and education programs, and assisting local communities with events recycling. She developed the Alabama Eco-Stars program, a certification program for hotels and resorts who want to operate sustainably and “Go Green”. In her free time, Christina enjoys spending time outdoors, baking cakes, and cruising on her motorcycle.
Denise Taylor, Keep Alabama Beautiful
David Koonce, City of Florence
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