John J. Jennings is the founder and visionary behind Waste Pro USA. His father, Michael Jennings, was an Irish immigrant who worked as a garbage man on Long Island and taught his son the importance of a diligent work ethic. The lessons he learned from his father translated into what is now Waste Pro’s mission: to create more sustainable, cost-effective waste and recycling solutions.
Jennings attended Holy Cross High School in Queens, New York, and was elected to the school’s Hall of Fame for his business accomplishments and philanthropy in supporting the school. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Management an M.B.A. degree in Finance from St. John’s University and a Chartered Investment Analysis degree from the New York Institute of Finance.
After moving to Florida, started in the industry at the bottom and worked his way up. In the beginning, he went out early in the morning on the trucks with the drivers to see things firsthand. Eventually, he improved the business and transformed the company into Jennings Environmental Services, which became the largest privately-owned waste disposal company in central Florida. Upon merging with USA Waste Services, Inc. in 1996, Jennings Environmental Services became a subsidiary, and Jennings was named Regional Vice President for Florida and the Caribbean. USA acquired what is today Waste Management. When Jennings left the firm many of the company’s leaders said, “what are we going to do next” and Waste Pro was created in 2001.
Jennings transformed the firm to become one of the fastest-growing solid waste companies in the United States. In the first month of business Waste Pro earned just $800 in revenue. In 2026, Waste Pro’s revenue is projected to exceed $1.6 billion. Today Waste Pro operates in 12 Southeastern states with a team of more than 5,700 employees.
Throughout his time as Chief Executive Officer, Jennings made safety a top priority. All trucks are equipped with technology to assist drivers and increase their productivity, and more than $10.8 million has been rewarded since 2004 to drivers and helpers who practice safe habits.
Going “green” has been another key part of Jennings’ leadership. In 2011, Waste Pro invested $100 million in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks and has since opened nine CNG fueling stations.
In 2020, John Jennings passed the torch to his son, Sean, to become President & CEO. He remains Executive Board Chairman with Waste Pro.
Jennings has been recognized as one of Florida Trend’s 500 most influential business leaders in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Also in 2020, Jennings was honored with a Legacy Award by MSW Management, the official journal of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), and was a recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the annual Marquis “Who’s Who”. Autocar Trucks honored Jennings with its inaugural Partner for Performance Award in 2019 and inducted him into its Hall of Fame that same year. In 2011, he was unanimously elected to the National Waste and Recycling Association Hall of Fame and served as the honorary keynote speaker at the 2011 Executive Roundtable for America’s Solid Waste Leaders. In 2025, Mr. Jennings was inducted into the Waste & Recycling Workers Wall of Honor as a fitting tribute to a man whose legacy is built on humility, hard work, and an unwavering love for the “garbage business.”