The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) has appointed Dr. Darrell K. Smith as its new president and CEO.

The NWRA’s board of trustees announced Smith’s selection after an extensive search and cited his selection as giving the group “a leader who understands the invaluable contributions the waste and recycling industry makes for America, who can position the organization as an advocacy powerhouse on the national, state and local stage, and who can provide direction, motivation and new energy to the mission of the trade group.”

Smith’s start date with the group has not yet been set.

“The waste and recycling industry is profoundly important to the functioning of society, and the complexities and challenges faced by the industry are rarely appreciated,” Smith said in a statement. “I am proud to have been trusted with the management of the industry’s trade association, and I am ready to play a role in reenergizing staff, focusing our mission and driving industry growth with the promotion of solutions-driven public policies.”

Smith comes to the NWRA from the Industrial Minerals Association—North America (IMA-NA), which is part of the mining industry. He is currently the group’s executive vice president. He previously served as an industry advocate for the petroleum and chemical industries. Before working in the public policy sector, Smith worked in several industries include hazardous waste.

Smith has a bachelor’s degree from The Citadel and a master’s degree in environmental science from the University of South Carolina and a doctoral degree from George Mason University in environmental conflict and public policy. He currently resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife Jill Crissman.

“We were looking for a proven association leader, and we have found such a person in Darrell,” NWRA Board of Trustees Chair Ben Harvey said in a statement. “We are particularly pleased that he has worked previously in the waste industry, has a proven track record in association membership growth, is experienced in local community engagement and that he possesses exceptional skills in strategic thinking and team building. We also recognized the value of his safety background.”

Smith is executive vice president of the Industrial Minerals Association - North America (IMA-NA), the National Industrial Sand Association (NISA) and the International Diatomite Producers Association (IDPA). According to his LinkedIn profile, he also represented the petroleum industry as president of the National Association of Shell Marketers and the chemical industry as director of the public health team for the American Chemistry Council.

Smith takes over from NWRA Vice President and General Counsel Kevin Kraushaar, who had been serving as acting president and CEO since last November when the association’s previous head, Sharon Kneiss, resigned the post.