Priority Waste names CEO

Aaron Johnson is a fourth-generation waste industry operator with more than two decades of leadership experience in the industry. Photo courtesy of Priority Waste By DeAnne Toto, Editorial Director Published June 01, 2026 Listen to article 0:00 / 3:06 Priority Waste, a hauler of waste and recyclables that also operates transfer stations, has announced that Aaron Johnson has been appointed CEO of the Clinton Township, Michigan-based company. Johnson replaces the company’s co-founder and CEO Todd Stamper, who was removed by the board earlier this year because it was in the "best interests of the company and its stakeholders" to part ways, according to Crain’s Detroit Business. In the interim, Chief of Staff and General Counsel Vincent Hoyumpa served as CEO. Johnson is a fourth-generation waste industry operator with more than two decades of leadership experience in the industry. In this role, he will be responsible for strengthening operations, upgrading infrastructure and delivering reliable service. Founded in 2018, Priority Waste is an independent provider of waste and environmental services, serving more than 1.3 million households and 125 municipalities across Michigan, Ohio and Indiana while also supporting thousands of commercial customers across the Midwest. Powered by a workforce of 1,200 employees, the company operates 625 routes and owns five transfer stations. Most recently, Johnson served as president of the Midwest Region at Reworld, overseeing regional operations, commercial growth and service delivery. Previously, he spent more than two decades at WM Inc., having held leadership roles across multiple regions, including Canada and the Great Lakes. Over his career, he has led or helped integrate more than 50 acquisitions. “I am thrilled to lead Priority Waste into its next chapter and help deliver reliable, consistent and high-quality service,” Johnson says. “My priorities are focused on creating a safe and exceptional work environment, providing world-class service to our customers and executing on our game plan. I am grateful for the support of the board, which shares my values and recognizes the importance of showing up for our customers and building a company our team and our communities can be proud of. I’m looking forward to getting to work alongside our talented employees.” Johnson’s appointment follows Priority Waste’s acquisition by TPG, a leading global alternative asset management firm headquartered in New York City. Since the start of 2026, TPG has injected approximately $190 million in capital to upgrade and modernize Priority Waste’s fleet of trucks, settle outstanding claims and make key operational improvements, including route reliability, on-time service and faster response times. In addition to Johnson, Robert Simon has joined the company as senior vice president of fleet, bringing more than 15 years of industry experience and deep knowledge of the Midwest market. Priority Waste acquired GFL Environmental’s municipal operations in southeast Michigan in 2024 and continues to expand its Midwest footprint through a commitment to community partnership, operational density and a tech-forward operating philosophy, the company says. Sponsored Content The SENNEBOGEN 360 G-Series: Equipped for today’s work environment Optimal productivity, heavy construction, safety features and operator comfort come together in the SENNEBOGEN 360 G-series telescopic wheel loader, designed for work across the waste and recycling industry. Telescopic wheel loaders manufactured by SENNEBOGEN have a growing presence at transfer stations, material recovery facilities (MRFs), construction and demolition (C&D) recycling plants and metal recycling facilities across North America. PersonnelHaulingcollectionhiring Get curated news on YOUR industry. Enter your email to receive our newsletters. Loading... Email Drop fields here Drop fields here Please Subscribe Me To The Following Product(s) Recycling Today Newsletter Please Subscribe Me To The Following Product Type(s) Newsletters Custom Newsletters Drop fields here Latest from Recycling Today Cracking the ASR codeAISI skeptical of Chinese government’s overcapacity defenseREalloys approved for US Army lease arrangementInterPro makes acquisition in CanadaThe concrete under your scrap yard probably wasn’t built for itNycon’s Tuff Mix keeps scrap yards running on solid groundHow Gerdau Ameristeel got 15 years from one concrete pourThe Sennebogen 360G Telescopic Wheel Loader More from Recycling Today Green Eye Ai™: Intelligent sorting for today’s complex recycling streams Amcor earns RecyClass certification for line of stretch films FFRA launches commercial recycling pilot programs in California LYB collaboration leads to recycled-content candy bar packaging Boardsort.com introduces ScrapStation Demco launches Built to Move, Drive to Rescue campaign in conjunction with Farm Rescue