Charlie Appleby is a founder and retired CEO of Advanced Disposal Services (ADS). Under his stewardship, ADS grew from a small regional operation to the fourth largest solid waste management company in the United States, with operations providing integrated solid waste services throughout the eastern United States and the Bahamas.

Charlie has more than 40 years of diversified business experience. From 1996 to 2000 he was president of a private investment company. A certified public accountant, Charlie served in various capacities in several international and local accounting firms specializing in taxation, mergers and acquisitions from 1977 through 1996.

Charlie served as a Trustee of the National Waste & Recycling Association from 2008 to 2016, and as Chairman of the Board from 2010 to 2014. He was inducted into the National Waste & Recycling Hall of Fame in 2014. He has been a director of the Detachable Container Association since 2009 and served as the organization’s president from 2015 to 2017. In 2009, he was selected as an Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner.

Charlie retired in 2001 as a promotable colonel in the Florida National Guard after 31 years of service to the United States Armed Forces, having served in numerous capacities throughout the world, including Deputy Commanding General of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and Commanding General of a Florida National Guard major command. He and his wife Martha have been married for 43 years. They have three children and five grandchildren.