John A Paglia Jr. is a third generation environmental specialist being involved in the recycling and environmental waste services from a young age. Johns, father John Sr., bought his first garbage company in the early 1960’s in Rockland County, New York. He fondly remembers the days when he and his younger brother Michael would help their Dad on his routes. John’s first experience was at 10 years old when his father brought a Roll-Off truck to Congers Elementary School for show and tell. John then demonstrated to the entire school how to operate, load and offload a roll-off container, then drove the truck around the school circle. John knew from a very young age that he wanted to have a career in the Waste Industry.
Since 1974, John, alongside his brother, Michael, have owned and operated recycling, solid, and liquid waste companies throughout the Southeastern United States. At age 24, John was the youngest Regional Operations Manager for Waste Management of Florida. John and Michael also owned and operated a demolition company specializing in small to large projects. After selling their Recycling Company to Commercial Metals Company, he stayed on board and became the national assistant manager for material recovery facilities in Dallas, Texas, Jacksonville and Ocala, Florida. John also assisted Commercial Metals national safety director. John spearheaded projects in South Florida such as assisting Miami and the City of Homestead with the cleanup of Hurricane Andrew. While his brother Michael was overseas working in Russia and Ukraine, John worked from the United States assisting in the transportation of the materials. John along with his brother Michael implemented portable restroom services in Istanbul, Turkey. After 4 years with Commercial Metals John and his brother, Michael, formed United Sanitation, a regional recycling, solid and liquid waste Company in North Central Florida and developed their first NSW transfer station. In 1996, United Sanitation merged with GeoWaste, a public company, providing solid waste services in North Florida and Southern Georgia. John served as Chief Operating Officer.
In 2000, John and Michael started SunStar Transport and Florida Express Waste & Recycling. Florida Express has grown into a regional Solid and Liquid Waste Company with a fleet of 60 Trucks, 2 Landfills, and a Recycling Facility. As Chief Executive Officer, John has served with his brother, Michael, Chief Operating Officer for four decades.
In the past, John has also served on multiple steering committees for the waste industry. John served on the board of trustees for the College of Central Florida. In the past, John was also awarded the Business Community Leader award. He is one of the founders of Trinity Catholic High School, twice receiving the Distinguished Edmund Rice Award for outstanding contributions and leadership in the community. He served for 6 years at Charleston Southern University on the Athletic Board of Directors. Most recently John was appointed an Honorary Deputy by the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. John is passionate about his family life and grandchildren, and can often be found deep sea fishing off the coast of somewhere beautiful.
Following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps, Michael D. Paglia has been involved in the recycling and environmental waste services at a young age. Beginning as a part time summer employee for his father’s garbage collection company in Rockland County, New York, Michael soon realized that his future was in Environmental Services.
Since 1974, Michael, alongside his brother, John Paglia Jr, have owned and operated recycling, solid, and liquid waste companies throughout the Southeastern United States. At age 23, Michael served as Regional Sales Manager for Waste Management of Florida, where he held that post for three years. After selling their Recycling Company to Commercial Metals Company, he stayed on board and became one of the youngest Managers in Commercial Metals. For three years, Michael spearheaded projects in South Florida such as assisting Miami and the City of Homestead with the cleanup of Hurricane Andrew, worked overseas in Russia, Ukraine and the Caribbean as a metals trader. After 4 years with Commercial Metals Michael and his brother, John, formed United Sanitation, a regional recycling, solid and liquid waste Company in North Central Florida. In 1996, United Sanitation merged with GeoWaste, a public company, providing solid waste services in North Florida and Southern Georgia. Soon after, Michael became Vice President and served on their Board of Directors for 3 years when it was merged into Superior Services.
In 2000, Michael and John started SunStar Transport and Florida Express Waste & Recycling. Florida Express has grown into a regional Solid and Liquid Waste Company with a fleet of 40 Trucks, 2 Landfills, and a Recycling Facility. As Chief Operating Officer, Michael has served with his brother, John, Chief Executive Officer for four decades.
In the past, Michael has also served as a Board of Director for SouthTrust Bank, Florida Bank, and Hale Academy. Currently, Michael serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Waste Advantage the industry’s largest publication. Since 2014 Michael has proudly contributed his years of experience and expertise to the industry he loves.
Following in the footsteps of his Father, Uncle, and Grandfathers, John Paglia III is the 3rd generation of leadership for Florida Express Waste & Recycling. From an early age, John has been around every sector of the business. John’s earliest memories are from riding in a front loader in a car seat in the early 1990s under former company United Sanitation. While continuing his education through college, John remained an active part assisting wherever he was needed in United Sanitation, Sunstar Transport, Florida Express Shavings, and Florida Express Waste & Recycling.
After graduating from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Business Management in 2011, John joined Florida Express Waste & Recycling full-time. Starting as a driver, John was raised with the attitude that before you can manage, you need to be able to complete any task you assign an employee. After working hands-on in every sector of the business, by 2013, he became Florida Express Waste & Recycling’s General Manager. John continues to expand his knowledge and professional base as the President of Florida Express Waste & Recycling. John has a strong belief in servant leadership. He continues this mindset by increasing his local community and industry opportunities, as he dedicates much of his time volunteering on several boards and service work.
In 2015 John became a member of NWRA’s FILA group (Future Industry Leaders Alliance). As a member of the Editorial Advisory Board, he authored a monthly article termed “From the Experts” in The Waste Advantage magazine, one of the largest in the waste and recycling industry. In addition to his participation as a Committee Member for the Florida Legislative Chapter for the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), John was elected to join the Board of FILA in January 2022, continuing as an active contributor in the industry.
With a passion for health and safety, John has been a board member for the American Heart Association of Central Florida in Marion County since 2020. In January 2021, John was elected to be an active member of the Detached Container Association. This is an invite-only group of Waste and Recycling leaders both in the private and public sectors involved in shaping the industry for the future. In September of 2021, John accepted a role as A Fiscal Chair of the Litter Task Force on Marion County’s Board of County Commissioners. John was newly elected as a board member for the CEP (Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership), voted chamber of the year. In this role, he is directly supporting the growth of our local industries and residents.
In the past 2007-2012, John was a 4-year starter as a placekicker and kickoff specialist for D1-FCS Charleston Southern University and AFL- San Jose Saber Cats . He continues to hold many records at Charleston Southern and the Big South Conference. He served on many leadership councils for FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), NCAA, and Charleston Southern University from 2007-2011. In 2014, John and his wife married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, FL. They have 4 boys, John 4th, Rocco, Roman, and Luca all who are in line for the 4th generation of leadership at Florida Express Waste & Recycling. While not working, John enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, offshore fishing, and traveling.
Diane Paglia Carrizzo grew up in the family recycling and environmental waste business along with her parents and brothers, John & Michael Paglia. At a very young age, she was working with her Mom learning how to do payroll and billing.
Diane went to high school in Ocala, FL and was chosen to be a Debutante representing the United States in London, England; Israel & Marbella, Spain. After her return from traveling, she worked part-time running the office at their recycling & environmental waste facilities, as well as attending a 2-year College. After College, Diane worked full-time in the office for both companies, learning many facets of the business. She quickly learned the accounting side of the business and was instrumental in migrating the businesses to industry-specific software.
Throughout the years, Diane followed her Brothers into several other companies, always managing the offices & accounts receivable.
Diane is currently the Office Manager at Florida Express & also manages the Accounts Receivable Department. She enjoys working with her Brothers, Nephews & 3 Sons, where it truly is a family business. Throughout the years she has served as President of PTO at her children’s school, been appointed to various fundraising committees and volunteers at her Church.
Diane enjoys spending time with her family, shopping and traveling throughout the World.
Following in his father and uncle’s footsteps, Vincent has been around the family business since a very early age. He would assist at the landfill or at the Material Recovery Facility during his summers off from high school or college. In 2001, when the company started organically with one truck, Vincent, alongside his father and uncle worked the residential routes daily. Vincent credits this early boots on the ground upbringing to the respect and admiration he carries for all his fellow team members to this day.
Vincent graduated from the University of Florida in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in sports management. As an equipment manager for the University of Florida football team, Vinny learned the value of teamwork, servant leadership, and getting things accomplished as a team is better than individual accomplishments and accolades. The Monday after graduating college Vincent started working for the company filling in wherever he could help the team succeed and accomplish the daily mission of safety and customer service.
Vincent currently is the Recycling and Commodities Manager of United American Recycling Services a wholly owned subsidiary of IMG Holdings. He is responsible for the operational activities of the material recovery facility. His daily responsibilities include management of sorting, processing, bailing, and shipment of materials through the MRF. He is responsible for dealing directly with end users of recycling commodities and pushing end users to stay within the United States.
Vincent is currently a member of NWRA’s FILA (Future Industry Leaders Alliance) and is a member of SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America). He is also a member of the Southeast and National Chapter for ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries).
When Vincent is not working, he enjoys sporting events of all levels, golfing, offshore fishing and hanging out with family and friends.