With 20 years behind the wheel, Juan Caraballo has built a distinguished career at Casella’s Potsdam, NY Division, marked by reliability, professionalism, and a deep commitment to those he serves. His dedication was recently recognized at the national level with the NWRA 2025 Regional Commercial Driver of the Year Honorable Mention, an award that highlights the impact of drivers who set the standard for excellence in the industry. Whether building lasting relationships with customers or navigating harsh winter conditions, Caraballo exemplifies the Casella Core Values in every aspect of his work.
Honestly, it’s something I just enjoy. I like serving people, it’s fulfilling. Even after all these years, I still find the job fun. Sure, I run the same routes, but every day brings something new. My family jokes that I bleed Casella blue, and it’s true. I love what I do and take pride in doing it.
Safety is important. I’ve learned that rushing isn’t worth it, it’s better to take your time and do things right. I’ve never called in sick, and I always stay aware of my surroundings, especially in winter when conditions can be tough. I ask a lot of questions, learn from senior drivers, and share what I know with newer ones. And sometimes the younger ones come in and see things differently from a new perspective, so learning and training go both ways.
I’m a people person. I enjoy talking to my customers. That interaction is one of the best parts of the job. I care about their needs and always try to do my best. When you treat people with respect, they notice.
It’s a big deal. Having someone’s name on the truck adds a level of pride and appreciation. It reminds me that I’m not just driving or servicing a route, I’m representing something bigger. Casella has grown so much, but we’ve kept that local, personal feel.
At first, it didn’t even hit me. I got the call on my day off and was completely surprised. It wasn’t until I got to the event and saw all the drivers from all over that I realized how big it was. I got a suite, wore a tie, I really wanted to represent Casella well. It was a special moment, and I’m proud to be part of something so meaningful.
Casella Waste Systems, Inc., headquartered in Rutland, Vermont, is one of the largest recyclers and most experienced fully integrated resource management companies in the Eastern United States. Founded in 1975 as a single truck collection service, Casella has grown its operations to provide solid waste collection and disposal, transfer, recycling, and organics services to more than one million residential, commercial, municipal, institutional, and industrial customers and provides professional resource management services to over 10,000 customer locations in more than 40 states.
Powered by Notified