Company: e-Cycle LLC, Hilliard, OH, U.S.A.
Company Description: Co-founded in 2005 by Tonia Irion, e- Cycle has empowered businesses and organizations to take a more responsible, secure, and profitable approach to mobile phone asset recovery and recycling. The company collects wireless phones from businesses and major organizations, reimbursing them for devices that retain value and recycling all others at no charge.
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year – Business Services – More Then 10 Employees

Nomination Title: e-Cycle LLC

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated organization since the beginning of July last year (up to 500 words):

e-Cycle empowers businesses to take a more responsible, secure and profitable approach to wireless recycling. Founded in 2005 by Tonia and Christopher Irion, e-Cycle was established on three guiding passions: a love of technology, environmental protection and charitable giving. e-Cycle collects wireless devices from businesses, reimbursing them for devices that retain value and recycling all others at no charge through an e-Stewards certified facility. The information on every phone is either deleted or destroyed through the industry’s most rigorous data security measures. Once the data is completely scrubbed, e-Cycle resells the devices overseas in developing countries where used technologies are greatly needed.

A critical business initiative led by Tonia, in January 2012, e-Cycle became the first mobile buyback and recycling company in the world to achieve e-Stewards® certification. This time consuming and costly certification requires e-Cycle to adhere to the highest standards of environmental protection and worker safety. Achieving certification requires complete restructuring of internal processes, rigorous internal and external audits, continual improvement strategies, thorough reporting and transparent business practices.

Utilizing an entrepreneurial leadership system (EOS) that she implemented company-wide, Tonia Irion has worked hard to develop a highly efficient leadership team. In the past year, e-Cycle has added a Chief Operating Officer as well as a Director of IT. e-Cycle’s executive team currently includes several women leadership figures including, Tonia Irion, Co-founder; Jennifer Meyers, Chief Operating Officer; Sherry Zarbaugh, Vice President of Human Resources; and Lisa Buonamici, Executive Financial Controller.

To meet the needs of e-Cycle’s largest global clients, Tonia and the executive team are currently exploring the viability of e-Cycle’s European expansion in 2013. Expanding globally is a business necessity and will be Tonia’s primary focus in 2013.

Under Tonia’s guidance, e-Cycle has created 56 jobs in Central Ohio and throughout the U.S. since July of 2011 (currently 103 total) and hopes to add another 50 jobs by early 2013. Due to e-Cycle’s rapid expansion, the company’s continual growth requires constant recruiting and thorough interviewing processes to ensure that every position at e-Cycle is filled with only the most exceptional employees to take the company from good to great.

Realizing the need for internal employee communications, e-Cycle is in the process of developing an internal communication strategy to increase employee unity and company morale. The Marketing and Human Resources departments, headed by Tonia Irion and Sherry Zarbaugh, spearheaded this initiative and launched an internal employee intranet. This portal will not only provide employee news and communications but also essential company documents, benefit information and networking forum.

As a parent with a child suffering from type-1 diabetes, Tonia serves on the board for the Mid-Ohio Chapter of the JDRF and donated nearly $19,000 during a Recycle Week promotion when e-Cycle donated $1 to JDRF for every mobile phone received during that week. In June of 2012, Tonia formed a partnership with the Ford Motor Company to develop a nationwide employee mobile recycling this month and hopes to raise more than $100,000 for the national JDRF.

Provide a brief biography of the person or persons who lead the nominated company (up to 100 words):

e-Cycle Co-Founder and CCO Tonia Irion, a veteran of the technology industry, is committed to helping organizations invest their telecom budgets wisely, while protecting the environment.

Jennifer Myers, the COO of e-Cycle has over 20 years of experience and works to position e-Cycle for smart growth through strong fiscal controls and management.

Sherry Zarbaugh, VP of Human Resources, is essential to e-Cycle’s continued growth including recruiting, retaining employees, improving employee morale, training and employee relations.

Lisa Buonamici, is the Executive Financial Controller who has spent 10 years in public accounting focusing on small to medium sized businesses.

At least 50% of the shares in this company are owned by women.