As the chairman and CEO of Jacksonville, Fla.-based Advanced Disposal and the chairman-elect of the Environmental Industry Associations' Board of Trustees, Charles Appleby is one of the solid waste industry's most prominent and accomplished members. A certified public accountant who served in the United States Armed Forces for 31 years, Appleby was the recipient of a 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Florida Regional Award. Curious about the interests and personality of this successful industry figure, we recently subjected him to our light-hearted Commingled Conversation Q&A.

Waste Age (WA): What is your pet peeve?

Charles Appleby

Charles Appleby: When people are late for an appointment.

WA: What is your idea of the perfect day?

Appleby: Calm water, great fishing.

WA: What is the best advice you've ever received?

Appleby: If people can't trust what you say, you have nothing (from my father).

WA: What was the last book you read?

Appleby: "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown.

WA: What is your favorite movie?

Appleby: "Captain Ron."

WA: What is your favorite TV show?

Appleby: "The Amazing Race."

WA: Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Appleby: Rolling Stones.

WA: What is the strangest piece of trash you've ever come across?

Appleby: A piece of a foot in a net 50 miles offshore.

WA: Do you prefer the beach or mountains?

Appleby: Used to be the beach (see answer to last question below) but now the mountains. Prefer blue water fishing over either choice.

WA: What is the one thing you couldn't live without?

Appleby: Family.

WA: If you could invite three people — living or dead — to a dinner party, who would they be?

Appleby: Mom, Dad, Sister.

WA: If you weren't the CEO of Advanced Disposal, what would you like to be?

Appleby: Chef.

WA: What is your favorite sports team?

Appleby: Jacksonville Jaguars.

WA: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Appleby: Fly (not in an airplane).

WA: What's the most adventurous thing you've done?

Appleby: I was an Army Ranger/Paratrooper/Pathfinder.

WA: What's the one talent you have that not many people know about?

Appleby: Surfed professionally (a very long time ago).

If you have suggestions for future interviewees, send us an e-mail at [email protected].

Related Stories