Republic Services Honored as Top Business by Chamber

Republic Services was named the top San Bernardino area business member of the year by the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce at the 3rd Annual Top Chamber Business (TCB) Awards, hosted by Assemblyman Mike Morrell (R-Rancho Cucamonga). For their accomplishments, Johnnie Perkins, West Region Director of Municipal Services, accepted a resolution by Assemblyman Morrell and Chamber of Commerce leaders on behalf of Republic Services. Perkins has been serving as the West Region Director of Municipal Services for five years, and began at Republic Services a decade ago. He has been a member of the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce board for a year and a half. “In a word, the recognition is an honor,” Perkins said. “The Chamber is such a support to businesses, and we are excited for the opportunity to showcase [the] partnership” with the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce. He said the recognition was one more way the company has fulfilled its “commitment to exceed the community’s expectations,” which he said Republic Services does in its daily operations and in its volunteer efforts in the communities it serves. Republic Services’ Orange and San Bernardino County Divisions have provided safe waste collection and processing to customers for 50 years, providing service to over 2.5 million customers a month. The company partners with municipalities to create programs tailored to meet specific needs in cities including Anaheim, Brea, Chino Hills, Colton, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Placentia, Villa Park and Yorba Linda. With more than 700 local employees who participate in various hometown activities and charities, donating services and time in support of a range of civic projects, Perkins explained that community giveback is an important ideal for the company and its employees. At the end of the 2013 school year, Republic Services awarded four $500 scholarships to students at San Bernardino’s Arroyo High School, which “aligned with Republic Services’ philosophy to be involved in the community. We are very strong on education, and providing resources to enhance education,” Perkins said. Arroyo High School students were required to submit 500-word essays on the environment; Perkins read each submitted essay himself. When the four winners were announced at a school board meeting, Perkins was there to award the students personally with their scholarships. San Bernardino Area Chamber President Judi Penman said she’s known Perkins personally since he began his tenure on the Chamber board, and that Republic Services was chosen to receive the honor because the company deserved it. “They’re very generous with many community programs, like Paws for a Cause and Santa Claus, Inc.,” Penman said. She noted how Perkins also sponsored tables at the Chamber’s installation to allow the presidents of each neighborhood cluster initiative to sit with their respective council members. “He’s always quite enthusiastic,” said Penman of Perkins. Republic Services was honored among seven other San Bernardino area businesses by both Assemblyman Morrell and the Redlands of Commerce: Waterman Car Wash; San Bernardino Golf Club; Bright Ideas Books; Pete’s Finishland/Casual Living; Bank of America; Express Printing, Signs, and T’s; and Hilton San Bernardino; with Republic Services receiving top honors.