OAKLEAF Waste Management’s James R. Barnes named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2008 winner in the Services category
PALM SPRINGS, CA, 15 NOVEMBER, 2008 – James R. Barnes, president and chief executive officer of OAKLEAF Waste Management was today named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2008 national winner in the Services category. Now in its 22nd year, the awards recognize leaders and visionaries who demonstrate innovation, financial success and personal commitment as they create and build world-class businesses.
Barnes was recognized for founding OAKLEAF, the fastest growing waste outsourcing company in the US. Barnes was honored at the Entrepreneur Of The Year® gala in Palm Springs – the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. Awards were given in nine additional categories. All Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® winners were selected by an independent panel of judges from approximately 400 regional award recipients.
Headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut, OAKLEAF Waste Management is the nation’s leading provider of waste and recycling services, with annual growth of 30% and revenues of more than $700 million.
Finding a better way
When Barnes started OAKLEAF in 1995, he challenged the industry’s typical business model and redefined waste removal. Traditionally, haulers charged fees by location or percentage of savings, creating a commoditized business with low margins and high client turnover.
Barnes reasoned that by applying the right IT systems, infrastructure and developing an efficient way of handling tasks such as invoicing, he could offer a sustainable value-added service. Instead of physically hauling trash, his company contracts with retailers, restaurants, property management companies, hospitality companies and corporate clients by hiring haulers in the immediate area to do the actual removal. OAKLEAF assumes the role of general contractor. In effect, it became the largest customer of each hauling company it engaged.
The plan allowed the company to grow quickly, build great route density and business volume for the haulers and gain access to large national accounts. OAKLEAF provides services to over 100,000 locations throughout North America, boasts five subsidiaries and a roster of blue-chip clients including Wal-Mart, CVS and Home Depot.
Going Green
The company also evaluates their customers’ waste stream, discovering new ways to divert certain waste products from landfills. As customers demand more options for recycling, OAKLEAF is applying research and technology to help make it economically feasible.
Staying focused on customers, with a watchful eye anticipating the changing regulatory landscape, OAKLEAF has found success. It has been recognized nine times since 2001 by Inc. magazine and named four times to the Inc. 5000 list.
Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2008 national finalists in Services category
In addition to Barnes, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® national finalists in the Services category were Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D., and Gian M. Fulgoni, co-founders of Virginia-based comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a global leader in measuring the digital world; Michael R. Haverty, chairman and CEO of Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KCS), an international transportation holding company with railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama; and Harold Mills, CEO of ZeroChaos, a global workforce solutions company headquartered in Orlando.
Overall Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2008 National Winner
Matthew Szulik, Chairman of Red Hat, Inc. (NYSE: RHT), was named the Overall Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2008 national winner.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year® awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.
About The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.
About the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Markets Practice
Ernst & Young's Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practice guides leading high-growth companies. Our multi-disciplinary team of elite professionals provides perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. SGM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. Ernst & Young is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies, and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at www.ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets.
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