Lonnie Poole

Lonnie Poole, Jr., Tau (NC State), was initiated into Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity on February 10, 1957. Poole was a first-generation college student. In 1959, he earned his civil engineering degree and began his career with the North Carolina State Highway Commission. In 1965, he received his master’s in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In 1970, Poole founded Waste Industries, one of the most significant waste and recycling companies in the Southeast, with two million service points serving more than 700,000 customers across five states. After the founding, he served in various roles, including chairman, president and chief executive officer. In 1971, he joined the National Solid Waste Management Association, and he is also the co-founder and past chairman of the board of the Environment Research and Educational Foundation. By 1981, Waste Industries had reached $10 million in revenue. Poole served as the company’s chief executive officer from 1970 until 2002 and chairman of the board of directors from 1970 until 2008. After retiring in 2008, Poole remained on the board and increased his philanthropic efforts with various organizations. In 2011, Poole and his wife, Carol Johnson Poole, donated $40 million to North Carolina State University, the largest single donation in the University’s history.

Highlights

• CEO, Waste Management Systems
• Co-Founder – Environmental Research & Education Foundation
• North Carolina Entrepreneur of the Year – Inc Magazine (1992)
• Environment Industry Hall of Fame (1992)
• Corporate Philanthropy Award (2021)
• Namesake of North Carolina State’s College of Management – the Lonnie C. Poole Jr. College of Management
• Silver Beaver Award – Scouting America
• Distinguished Eagle Scout Award – Scouting America