Bill Meyers of Casella named Irishman of the Year
PLATTSBURGH — Bill Meyers can usually sniff out a surprise, he said, but being named Irish Person of the Year was one he did not smell coming.
'It was completely out of the blue,' Meyers said Friday morning after receiving the award at the North Country Chamber of Commerce's 66th annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast.
'This one got me.'
Meyers is the market area manager for Casella Waste Systems. He is also involved in numerous community organizations in helping people gain assistance in their lives.
Meyers is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and moved to the North Country in 2003.
'I'm honored, humbled, thankful,' he told the crowd.
'I think everybody realizes the great community we have and without you guys there's no me. There's been so many people who have mentored and invested in me and all I've tried to do is give it all back.'
Meyers' unwavering commitment to community service and leadership made him a standout choice, the chamber said.
A devoted husband to Wendy and father to Connor and Hannah, Meyers values family deeply. His impact extends far beyond his professional role — he has been an active member of the Chamber for years, serving as Board Chair in 2021, guiding the organization and its members through the challenges of the pandemic.
He is known for fostering strong relationships, mentoring young professionals, and sharing insights on teamwork and employee development.
His leadership extends into the community, where he is a passionate supporter of SUNY Plattsburgh's athletic programs, a sponsor and coach for the Mariners, and a dedicated volunteer across numerous organizations.
He's no stranger to winning awards either.
Meyers is an active member of United Way, where he was recognized as Citizen of the Year in 2024, and contributes his time and efforts to Adirondack Health, the CVPH Foundation, Elmore SPCA and various youth athletic programs.
His generosity, dedication, and community spirit make him a most deserving recipient of the 2025 Irish Person of the Year Award.
"Bill Meyers is a perfect honoree," Garry Douglas, Chamber President said.
'He's unassuming and truly committed to our area, its people, and so many good causes. His community service includes leading the Chamber during the pandemic, providing steady support for our team as we looked to help our business community through uncharted waters. Congratulations to Bill on this highly deserved recognition and our thanks for all that he has done and continues to do.'
Meyers was involved in one of the entertaining videos at Friday's breakfast where host Matt Boire spends a day working at Casella and getting to see the day-to-day operations.
Meyers said it was a fun experience getting to showcase Casella to the sold-out event.
'Casella has provided me with so many different avenues to be within the community,' he said.
'It's been an intricate part of who I am. For 22 years, I've been a part of Casella in the North Country. It's opened up so many doors, certainly business wise, but also introductions to so many great community members, and it's only allowed me to grow and prosper from that.'
Meyers said it's an honor to join the exclusive list of past winners, most recently Bob Frenyea in 2024.
'You look in this room of so many people that are part of the community and what they've done for the community, and you try to picture yourself among them and it's tough to (do that),' he said.
'There are just so many people that do so many great things, including all the past winners.'
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