Rick Perez

As Founder and CEO of Avangard Innovative, the largest waste and recycling company in the Americas, Rick Perez’ primary focus is on transforming the waste and recycling industry into a “smart, efficient and circular process”. Rick has been a proven leader for the past 30 years, showcasing his entrepreneurial and visionary character by introducing a proprietary technology-based process that enables companies to measure, manage and monetize their recyclable materials. Avangard Innovative was named one of Real Leaders Impact Awards: 100 Top Impact Companies of 2020.

Mr. Perez also understands the importance of serving the community in which you build your business. He devotes much of his time to supporting the greater Houston area by serving on multiple boards such as the Greater Houston Partnership, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, and is a member of the esteemed YPO global organization, as well as the Advisory Board of Houston Methodist Hospital.  He was recently named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2018, and previously won the Hispanic Male Entrepreneur of the Year by the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  He has spoken in Washington, DC for the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation at their Annual Sustainability and Circular Economy Summit.

Through thoughtful leadership, Rick guides a stellar lineup of industry experts and their teams, all driven to deliver on the company’s mission to “create enterprise value for our environmental partners through achieving their ESG goals”. Avangard Innovative helps design sustainable circular economy solutions that are economically sound, environmentally friendly, and socially acceptable.