Shoun Cleveland’s dedication, humility and exceptional work ethic — not to mention his passion for driving — made him the perfect driver to receive the National Waste & Recycling Association’s (NWRA) 2026 National Rising Star Award.
Cleveland and his wife Amanda attended the awards gala in Washington, DC, on June 10, where he became the first recipient of the award. Cleveland and the other NWRA award winners were honored at a welcome reception, a dinner, the awards ceremony and an after party celebration.
“I was called into the office late last year and told I’d been nominated for the Rising Star Award but it still took me by surprise when I found out I’d won,” Cleveland said.
The Rising Star Award recognizes drivers with fewer than 10 years in the industry who have already demonstrated an outstanding commitment to safety, professionalism and performance.
Based in GFL’s Tallassee, Alabama branch, Cleveland has nine years of driving experience in the waste industry.
After high school, he worked for a power company trimming trees where one of the job requirements was getting his CDL. He then spent 11 years doing industrial work. Feeling he was ready for a career change, he walked into a local waste company’s office to see if they were hiring.
His inquiry proved to be a life-changing moment. They soon called him back, hired him and Cleveland began his driving career. The company was eventually acquired by GFL. Today he covers 250 to 300 miles on his commercial route, servicing between 90 and 130 dumpsters each day.
His job allows Cleveland to indulge his passion for driving. In fact, he wanted to be a race car driver! Although his front-loader is a far cry from a race car, driving a truck has taught him how important safety is.
“Safety is the most important thing because I want to come home safely at the end of the day and I want others to be safe as well,” Cleveland said. “I pay attention to everything around me on the road so I can be Safe For Life.”
Cleveland is also committed to mentoring new employees. When new drivers join the team, he takes the lead in training them, showing them the routes and helping them develop the skills they need to be successful.
The most significant lesson Cleveland has learned in his career is the necessity of patience when driving. His patience extends to his role as a teammate; he’s always ready to help a colleague complete a route, ensuring the team succeeds and customers are looked after.
Even when not working, Cleveland loves to drive. Last year he, his wife and son took a road trip to Utah to visit family, covering 10 states in eight days! He also loves to travel.
Congratulations, Shoun, for being one of GFL’s rising stars!
