Multi-Generational Miners: Republic Services
Expanding and growing on a legacy of Alaska service Republic Services has a long legacy of families working together. Blake Hillis founded Alaska Energy Recovery 30 years ago and his son Dillan has worked in the now Republic Services company since he was 18.
How long have you been in busi - ness, who founded the company and who are the leaders now? The Company was found- ed in the mid-1990s as Alaska Energy Recovery by Blake Hillis. Throughout the Years, the com- pany evolved first into Emerald Alaska from 2000 until purchased by NRC in 2014, US Ecology in 2019, and became part of Repub- lic Services in 2022. Blake Hillis has been in the leadership role in Alaska since
the company’s inception until just recently as he announced his retirement in June. Paul Nielsen has been part of the company as a sales leader since 2009, and Rhonda Strucher has been a key operational leader for the company since 2004. All three of us have had and continue to have their adult children join the company and serve in key roles.
business evolved? Blake’s Son Dillan started in the field as an 18-year-old and is currently the Emergency Re- sponse Manager for the state, in- cluding overseeing large contracts with private sector companies involved in mining. Paul’s son Nathaniel, who also started as an 18-year-old fresh out of high school, doing any and all things
Tell us a little about your histo - ry: How has the company and your
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The Alaska Miner
Summer 2025
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