***GCR President's Message***
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Wrapping Up a
Great Year for GCR!
GCR President Nidhi Turakhia, Allied Alloys
As 2022 winds down, it’s a great time to look back on the ISRI Gulf Coast Region’s many highlights throughout this year. Despite challenges from the ongoing pandemic, inflation, supply-chain issues, and global unrest, GCR had many achievements this year:
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■ The GCR 2022 Summer Convention in New Orleans attracted a record 767 paid registrants as well as a record 78 exhibitors. In addition, GCR’s annual William A. Bushman Memorial Golf Tournament boasted 144 players and raised almost $41,500 for the GCR scholarship program. (See the Member Communications and Photo Gallery sections at gulfisri.com for GCR summer convention coverage and photos.)
■ GCR increased its financial strength, thanks primarily to the success of its summer convention and the addition of 66 new members. GCR now encompasses 237 member companies and is ISRI’s second-largest region based on membership. (Click HERE for a list of GCR’s new 2022 members, including their key contact information.)
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■ The GCR scholarship program saw an increase in the number of applicants this year, and the program selected a record 17 students to receive $2,000 awards for the 2022-2023 academic year. (See the Member Communications section at gulfisri.com for a full list of 2022 GCR scholarship winners.)
■ GCR continued its transition from a chapter to a region, in which it acquired a second vote on the ISRI national board or directors, with expectations to gain a third vote in the near future.
■ GCR increased the number of its board of directors meetings from two per year to four per year (one per quarter), holding the meetings in person and via Zoom. At all of its meetings, GCR has given the ISRI Women in Recycling Council and its Young Executives Council a high profile.
■ GCR reflects broader inclusion in terms of its members and board members, representing all commodities and featuring representation from all GCR states and Mexico on the GCR board. In addition, member engagement has increased. GCR also increased its visibility and participation on the larger ISRI stage, with more GCR members serving in leadership roles on the ISRI national level than ever before.
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■ GCR moved its election process from the GCR summer convention to the fall GCR board of directors meeting. At its fall 2022 meeting, the GCR board elected the next slate of officers for the 2023-2025 term:
--President: Becky Proler (pictured here), SCR Recycling (Houston)
--First VP: Alton Schaubhut, CMC Recycling (Dallas)
--Second VP: Chip DeJean, Louisiana Scrap Metal Recycling (Port Allen, La.)
--Secretary/Treasurer: Brandi Harleaux, South Post Oak Recycling Center (Houston)
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■ GCR phased out its old website and launched a new website—at gulfisri.com—that offers more information, enhanced features, and a sharper, user-friendly design.
■ GCR members played a leading role in advocacy, legislative, communications, and educational work for the recycling industry, as reflected in the following examples:
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—GCR helped staff the ISRI booth at the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual conference, held in Dallas in October. ISRI’s focus was on materials theft and, specifically, reaching law enforcement officials to offer programs for training staff on preventing catalytic converter theft and other material theft concerns.
—A GCR member company hosted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for a site visit in October. The visit was part of the governor’s statewide small business tour to gain insights into small business concerns and operations in the state.
—GCR members represented the region at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ 2022 Legislative Summit, held in Denver in August. This annual event gives recyclers the opportunity to meet directly with state legislators and promote the recycling industry’s many positive economic and environmental contributions.
—At its fall meeting, GCR offered an advocacy training workshop in which 30 attendees learned how to monitor local and state legislation for topics of interest and how to promote the recycling industry’s key messages to local and state leaders.
—GCR members served as co-chairs of the ISRI Shredder Committee and helped organize the sold-out Shredder Operations Forum, held in November in Salt Lake City. They also organized and hosted the Industry Leadership Development Program, held in July in Washington, D.C.
—GCR members also
● spearheaded development of the “common language playbook” for the industry, working with ISRI national;
● served at the forefront of the industry’s environmental justice activities and awareness efforts;
● played a pivotal role in the industry’s workforce development program; and
● participated and presented in several ISRI educational sessions this year.
GCR thanks all members for making 2022 a successful, memorable year. And in 2023, visit gulfisri.com regularly to read all about GCR’s next great accomplishments!
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***
For more information on the Gulf Coast Region,
click HERE or contact one of the following officers:
Louisiana Scrap Metal Recycling
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