Lakeshore Recycling Systems Names Alan T. Handley, CEO, John J. Larsen Vice President, Operations

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 29, 2014) - Lakeshore Recycling Systems, Chicagoland's leading recycling and waste diversion services provider, today announced the appointment of Alan T. Handley to Chief Executive Officer, and John J. Larsen, Vice President of Operations. Handley, previously served in the capacity of Chief Financial Officer at LRS; Larsen joins LRS from Republic Services, where he served as General Manager, Chicago operations.

Handley, 43, previously served as Chief Financial Officer at LRS and has helped drive the company's growth and integration following the merger of Lakeshore Waste Services with Recycling Systems Inc. in 2012. He brings more than two decades of frontline executive management leadership, operations and turnaround experience.

Prior to LRS, he served as Executive Vice President and CFO at Aldridge Electric, during his tenure at Aldridge Electric, he was instrumental in developing and implementing financial strategies that greatly contributed to the company's double-digit sales growth from 2007 to 2013. His efforts allowed the company to grow and transform from a Chicago/Illinois focused specialty enterprise to a leading nationally recognized company now actively operating throughout the United States. Handley led financial and legal due diligence teams in evaluating potential add-on acquisitions, developed and successfully executed enterprise-wide risk management program and worked closely with ownership and the board of directors on varied succession and estate planning initiatives.

Before Aldridge, Handley served as Managing Director at Mesirow Financial/KPMG, where he led 140 staff members within the organization's consulting unit. Before Mesirow, Handley held leadership positions at Heller Financial, Price Waterhouse and the United States Marine Corps.

He holds a MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, and a Bachelors degree in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University. In addition to earning a CPA, Handley is also a Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He has been recognized with numerous industry awards, including a Norman Award for outstanding business development from Mesirow Financial and being named one of the top 50 senior managers at KPMG.

Larsen, 45, will be responsible for all LRS commercial, residential and roll-off operations. He joins LRS following a successful 15-year run at Republic Services, Inc., where he rose to the rank of General Manager for the company's Chicago operations, overseeing 210 employees who serviced commercial and industrial customers. Larsen also served as liaison and contract administrator with large government accounts, including Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Transit Authority, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.

A career operations and management specialist, Larsen is an experienced negotiator and issues-resolution trouble-shooter. He began his career at Waste Management, Inc., where he served as Operations Manager of the company's Morris, Ill. division.

Larsen has been named General Manager of the Year and has repeatedly been recognized as a top performer throughout his successful tenure at Republic Services.

Larsen holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from University of St. Francis in Joliet.

"We are pleased to continue to attract top talent to our executive ranks," Handley said. "We welcome John to the LRS team and are extremely excited about the immediate impact he will make to our company and community. John is a respected, seasoned recycling and solid waste industry executive who is uniquely qualified to lead LRS's operations and maintain and extend our solid leadership position."

About Lakeshore Recycling Systems

Serving Chicagoland for more than 12 years and headquartered in Morton Grove, Ill., Lakeshore Recycling Systems is Chicago's leading recycling and waste diversion services provider. LRS provides recycling and waste diversion programs, affordable roll-off container services and comprehensive waste removal to businesses and residential homeowners. LRS operates a growing fleet of natural gas-powered trucks and is run by more than 350 committed full-time employees. In addition to servicing all 658 schools in the Chicago Public Schools system, LRS actively participates in the City of Chicago's Blue Cart Residential Recycling Program and is committed to raising awareness and fostering discussion on the importance of recycling and environmental sustainability. Learn more and follow the company at www.lakeshorerecyclingsystems.com, 'Like' us on Facebook and follow on Twitter @LRSHauler.