Voting Criteria
The IRA Board of Directors is made up of representatives from member organizations that have applied as Board candidates and have been elected to the Board by a membership vote. All IRA members in good standing are eligible to vote.
A member in good standing is a business, organization, agency or individual whose dues are current. The number of ballots each member organization may cast depends on the membership category for which current dues are paid:
- Lifetime & Large Business (7 ballots)
- Small Business (5 ballots)
- Nonprofit/Government/Education (3 ballots)
- Individuals & Micro Business (1 ballot)
Each voting representative may cast a single ballot on behalf of their member organization. A signed ballot must be submitted via this form. If voting representatives of a member organization cast more ballots than their membership category allows, the ballots will be validated using the date/time the ballot was recorded.
If you have questions, contact iowarecycling@gmail.com.
Candidates for the 2025 Ballot
The Iowa Recycling Association (IRA) Board of Directors is made up of representatives from member organizations that have applied as Board candidates and have been elected to the Board by a membership vote. All IRA members in good standing are eligible to vote.
This year, seven candidates are listed on the ballot for election by members in good standing. In good standing shall mean that the organization they represent has paid its dues in full and there are no outstanding debts to the IRA. Seven seats are open, with terms beginning October 2025 and expiring October 2028. Click on each candidate's name below to see their full application.
Votes per organization are deemed as follows per membership category: Nonprofit, Government, Education (3); Small Business (5); Large Business (7); Individual/Micro-business (1); Lifetime (7).
All ballots will be kept confidential. Vote for up to seven candidates. Results will be announced at the Iowa Recycling Association Annual Membership Meeting at the Iowa Recycling & Solid Waste Management Conference.
- Emily Sisk (1st Term)
- Joseph Chapman (1st Term)
- Bev Wagner (2nd Term)
- Mark Jansen (2nd Term)
- Cassie Riley (2nd Term)
- Bryce Stalcup (2nd Term)
- Steve Kohtz (2nd Term)
Results will be announced at the 2025 Iowa Recycling Association Annual Members Meeting.
Emily Sisk, Solid Waste Planner, HDR, has been filling a vacant seat on the IRA board for two years. Emily is a very active member of the board, leading the Communications committee and contributing to additional events and special projects.
Emily believes operational safety at solid waste and recycling facilities, as well as managing hard to recycle materials, are significant issues for the industry.
Joseph Chapman, General Manager, Schupan, has been filling a vacant seat on the IRA board for over a year. Joseph manages processing in Iowa and believes the technical feedback he can provide benefits the board.
Joseph believes batteries and driving value for membership of the Iowa Recycling Association are significant issues facing the organization.
Bev Wagner, Education and Communication Coordinator, Loras College/Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency, is nominated for her second three-year term on the IRA board. Bev is very active throughout the state, serving as a liaison between the Iowa recycling and solid waste operations associations, co-chairing coordination of the fall conference, as well as several committees.
Bev believes retaining and growing membership, along with providing quality education opportunities, are significant issues facing the organization.
Mark Jansen, Sales Manager, Vermeer Sales and Service, is nominated for his second three-year term on the IRA board. Mark has led strategic planning for the association and feels his knowledge of equipment and leadership provides a unique perspective.
Mark believes membership retention and growth, as well as recycling being a sustainable and profitable business, are significant issues facing the organization.
Cassie Riley, Community Engagement Manager, Metro Waste Authority, is nominated for her second three-year term on the IRA board. Cassie serves on several committees for IRA in addition to acting as co-chair for the Fall Conference education committee.
Cassie believes recycling infrastructure and proper disposal and management of batteries are significant issues facing the industry.
Bryce Stalcup, Executive Director, Waste Commission of Scott County, is nominated for his second three-year term on the IRA board. Bryce has a very active role in advancing recycling initiatives, through public and private partnerships. He has served as Treasurer of IRA for the past three years and brings valuable perspective through his experience leading a solid waste and recycling agency.
Bryce believes upcoming legislation and ensuring all membership is represented are significant challenges facing the organization.
Steve Kohtz, Recycling Services and Special Events Coordinator, Iowa State University. Steve is nominated for his second three-year term on the IRA board. Steve serves as Board Secretary and applies his desire to help others learn and thrive through participation on the communications committee.
He believes the safe disposal of rechargeable batteries and reissuing the bottle bill are significant issues facing the industr