We’re thrilled to share some exciting news—Jes Foster has been named the winner of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Professional Manager of the Year in Solid Waste!
Jes, the City of Asheville’s Solid Waste Manager, has spent more than 25 years dedicated to waste management and sustainability. Her journey began as a student recycler at Duke University, and since then, she’s made strides in the world of solid waste, building nationally recognized programs and leading with heart, innovation, and grit.
Before joining the City of Asheville, Jes developed a standout waste reduction program at Warren Wilson College that earned national recognition. Since stepping into her role as Solid Waste Manager in 2017, she has led Asheville’s sanitation division through a period of impressive transformation. Her leadership has resulted in:
- Improved operational efficiency and staff wages, ensuring better service delivery and workplace morale.
- Expansion of waste reduction initiatives, including the launch of Asheville’s first composting program.
- Creative solutions for unique challenges, such as the introduction of bear-resistant trash carts to protect both wildlife and neighborhoods.
- Long-term planning, including the city’s Solid Waste Master Plan to guide the future of waste management in Asheville.
- Disaster response leadership, notably coordinating storm debris removal for the City of Asheville.
Jes’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2025, she received the inaugural Dale James Award from the APWA North Carolina Chapter’s Solid Waste Division. This latest national recognition—the APWA Professional Manager of the Year Award—celebrates her unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and public service.
Please join us in congratulating Jes Foster on this well-deserved honor.