Some 200 business professionals and community and civic leaders attended the Breakfast before Business event Jan. 28 in the Great Hall of the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium.

Hosted by the Johnston Community College Foundation and the Johnston County Chambers of Commerce and sponsored by BB&T, Four Oaks ank, First Citizens Bank, and KS Bank, the event included an update on college programs, rising enrollment as well as the presentation of the 2009 Business and Industry Partner of the Year Award to Waste Industries USA,Inc.

Waste Industries received the award based on the company’s advocacy and support of applied industrial technology programs at JCC. Specifically, the company helped develop the curriculum for the heavy equipment and transport technology associate degree program at JCC and has donated equipment for students to receive hands-on training to better prepare them as heavy equipment technicians.

Jim Perry, chairman of Waste Industries, said the partnership helps foster success for industry, higher education, and the community.

“Waste Industries is pleased to have been selected as the Johnston Community College Business and Industry Partner of the Year for 2009,” said Perry. “We believe that partnering with community colleges can provide students with an excellent opportunity to explore a career in the solid waste industry. It is a win-win situation for the college, the students and for Waste Industries.”

JCC President David Johnson said Waste Industries was most deserving of the honor because of its ongoing commitment to creating career opportunities for community college students.

“JCC is extremely proud of our career partnership with Waste Industries,” Johnson said.

“Thanks to their equipment donations, professional expertise, and commitment to hiring our graduates, JCC is producing extremely skilled workers ready to land excellent careers in this increasingly high-tech field.”

Waste Industries USA, Inc. is a vertically integrated solid waste services company that provides collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services to commercial, industrial

and residential customer locations in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina

Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and Maryland.