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Contact: Public Works Department - (573) 874-7250

Wieman named APWA Professional Manager of the Year - Solid Waste

COLUMBIA, MO (September 2, 2010) - The American Public Works Association (APWA) recently announced that Richard Wieman, solid waste utility manager for the city of Columbia, was named Professional Manager of the Year in Solid Waste. Wieman was presented the award at the APWA International Congress and Exposition held in Boston, Mass., on Aug. 15.

The APWA established its annual awards program to acknowledge the contributions that public works professionals make to improve the quality of life in their communities. Wieman was recognized for his outstanding career service achievements of solid waste management professionals. The primary focus of this award is recognition of exceptional management and innovations to the public sector solid waste industry.

Wieman has headed the city’s Solid Waste Division for 35 years. During those years, Columbia’s solid waste programs have been innovative in landfill design, composting, household hazardous waste collections, residential trash routing and equipment purchases. Highlights of his career include the implementation of new residential route trash and recycling collections in the 1980s, continually seeking and implementing innovative recycling opportunities, establishing the first permanent household hazardous waste facility in the state, partnering with Kraft Foods to start the first and only weiner-casing composting operation in the U.S., starting the city’s first phytoremediation project in 2007, revamping the trash bag delivery system in 2008, partnering with the city’s Water and Light Department to build a gas-to-energy plant in 2008 and permitting the state of Missouri’s first bioreactor landfill that began operation in 2009.

The APWA is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 29,500 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., has an office in Washington, D.C. and has 64 chapters in North America.

More information about the city’s Solid Waste programs can be found online at www.GoColumbiaMo.com.

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