Speaking with Darrell Fleming-Kendall is sheer joy.  He is so multi-faceted, and one of those people that keeps impressing.  Running ahead, let’s tell you that Darrell is a model citizen and that kind of All-American Hero about whom movies are made.  But then you have to meet him, hear his stories and insights to know why this is true.

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One of Darrell’s present roles is being the Events Manager and Special Projects Director for the ITAD Summit, Mobile Disrupt, and CarbonWyze.  Prior to this, he was the Executive Director of RIOS for over a decade.  And before joining RIOS, Darrell was Director of Membership for the National Association of Manufacturers in Washington, DC.  Darrell has worked in the recycling and sustainability industries for over 15 years, and previously focused on international development.  Darrell is a supporter of the circular economy, deeply aware of the power of standards and certification in driving sustainable practices.  Ultimately, Darrell is about changing the world for the better and doing good.

When speaking about ITAD (IT Asset Disposition) trends, Darrell calls people’s attention to the digital aspect of it.  We are all aware of the physical sorting, repurposing, recycling of IT assets.  But, Darrell points out, organizations should be mindful of the digital data that’s within those assets.  For instance, if a hospital updates their computers, they may bring every person’s living nightmare to life if they do not safeguard the important digital information that their devices contain.  People’s medical histories, social security numbers, all sorts of important information are contained in all those devices.

When organizations dispose of their IT assets, they need assurances that their suppliers uphold the highest standards of integrity in their disposition process.  Additionally, it’s beneficial if they concern themselves with how those assets are disposed, making reuse and repurposing a priority prior to recycling.  Darrell says that the only way organizations can do that is by ensuring that they themselves hold the right certifications, such as R2v3, RIOS, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, to name a few key ones.  In essence, to be competitive and ethically responsible, organizations should look to having a suite of certifications, not just one certification.

Darrell recalls that in his role as the Executive Director of RIOS, which he held for over a decade, his message to leaders of organizations was that they should hold their RIOS certification as a badge of honor and differentiator in the marketplace.  And today, with stakes of digital and cyberspace exposure being higher, along with increased consumer awareness regarding sustainability, achieving the right certifications should absolutely be on the agenda of leaders at the C-Suite level.  Darrell adds that ISO 45001 helps reassure team members internally, as well as clients and prospects externally, that the organization cares about its people.  Again, there is increased desire in the marketplace to conduct business with the organizations that care about the safety and well-being of their employees.

Speaking of his management style, Darrell says that despite his involvement with standards and certification, when it comes to people, you can’t put process first.  It has to be people first.  And this is not just lip service.  Darrell lives to elevate people and bring out the best in them.

Aside from leading and inspiring people in their corporate roles, Darrell runs a not-for-profit organization that helps people reintegrate into society and attain gainful employment after they have served time in the correctional system.  He has founded businesses that provide jobs helping people get launched on a variety of careers.

Darrell and his wife operate a 130-acre farm in Ohio.  Their farm that produces the full complement of offerings you would find at a grocery store, from beef, poultry, eggs, dairy to fruits and vegetables.  The entire farm uses sustainable and organic practices.  Then they manufacture jerky.  And they also own a café-restaurant.

Darrell lights up when he tells stories of how people are transformed when they are truly given responsibility and are trusted.  Sometimes, these people experience being trusted for the first time.  And it does become a life-changing experience for them.  They grow and succeed.  One of those people now has gone on to a supervisory role in a construction business.  On top of that, that guy has become a TikTok sensation.

When Darrell speak, he radiates joy and energy.  Which is what he needs in spades, as he and his wife are parents to five children under the age of seven.  They adopted the first three.  And then, his wife got pregnant with another baby.  It was a miracle.  And they were very content with having four children.  But suddenly they got a call from the social worker who had worked with them on the adoption.  And one of the adopted children had a half-sibling that was born and needed a family.  This poor newborn had been exposed to many toxins and drugs in utero and had to stay at the hospital for six weeks.  But then she came home, and now Darell and his wife are parents to three boys and two girls.  They try to imbue the kids with a team spirit.  So Darrell also coaches their flag football team.

 

Darrell is also multi-lingual.  While being a native speaker of English, he has a command of Finnish.  He lived in Finland for many years, worked as a translator there, and was formerly fully fluent in Finnish.  When he studied in Salzburg, Austria, Darrell became quite proficient in German.  Similarly, he was very conversant in Russia when he studied in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Additionally, given his work and travels, in the past he had certain proficiency in Serbo-Croatian, Slovene, as well as Spanish.

Yes, Darell is a top expert on everything related to recycling, certifications, circular economy, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability.  What defines him, though, is the sense of possibility, the vision and determination to bring his ideas to life, the energy, the care, and his dedication to lifting everyone up around him.  Darrell Fleming-Kendall embodies the all-American values, and he lives them every day.  And this is what makes him an All-American Hero.