The Israel Proler Award recognizes select Gulf Coast Region members for their outstanding leadership, achievements, and contributions to the recycling industry. The award is named in memory of Israel Proler of Proler International Corp. (Houston), who served as Gulf Coast Chapter President of the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel (an ReMA predecessor) from 1955-1956. Among his professional achievements, “Izzie” Proler helped develop the forerunner of today’s modern automobile shredder along with his brothers Sam and Herman “Hymie” Proler.
2024
Mike Ronnel, Metal Recycling Corporation, Little Rock, AR
2023
Joel Litman, Texas Recycling Inc., Dallas, TX
2022
Robin K. Wiener, ISRI, Washington, D.C.
2021
Vicki Roche, Gerdau Ameristeel, Midlothian, TX
2020
Mel Wright, Wright’s Scrap Metals Inc., Beaumont, TX
2019
Jack Vexler, Monterrey Iron & Metal Co., San Antonio, TX
2018
Warner Key, Hobbs Iron & Metal Inc., Hobbs, NM
2017
Robert J. Melendi & Alan Mayfield, Commercial Metals Co., Dallas, TX
2016
Bill Proler, Proler Southwest, Houston, TX
2015
The Shapiro Family, Austin Metal & Iron Co. LP, Austin, TX
2014
Thomas B. Baker, Tom Baker Consulting LLC, Wimberley, TX
2013
Steven Segal, J.L. Proler Co., Houston, TX
2012
Larry Alman, Charles Alman, Sol Alman Co., Little Rock, AR
2011
Jim AuBuchon, Attorney-at-Law, Dallas, TX
2010
Kevin Allen, Four Seasons Equipment, Dallas, TX
Harold S. Tenenbaum, Tenenbaum Recycling Group LLC, North Little Rock, AR
2009
Lee Ronnel, Metal Recycling Corp., Little Rock, AR
J.T. (Jake) Gregory,* Pine Street Salvage, Abilene, TX
Paul L. Gregory,* San Angelo Iron & Metal, San Angelo, TX
2008
Marienne Galamba-Brown, Galamba Metals Group, Kansas City, MO
2007
Marvin Selig & Clyde Selig, CMC Steel, Seguin, TX
2006
Howard Glick, Tri-State Iron & Metal Co., Texarkana, AR
2005
Harry Heinkele, Commercial Metals Co., Dallas, TX
2004
Dick Jaffre, Chaparral Steel, Midlothian, TX
2003
Jim Bly, J&M Enterprises, Artesia, NM
2002
Sam & Marilyn Hummelstein, Hummelstein Iron & Metal Inc., Jonesboro, AR
2001
Stan Litman, Texas Recycling/Surplus Inc., Dallas, TX
2000
Phil Morris, Morris Recycling Inc., New Albany, MS
1999
Robert Yaffe, The Yaffe Companies Inc., Muskogee, OK
1998
Bobby Jarvis, Jarvis Metals Recycling Inc., Lubbock, TX
1997
Edwin O. Fulton, Fulton Supply & Recycling Inc., Denton, TX
1996
J.E. Duggan, Duggan Industries Inc., Dallas, TX
1995
Alton S. Newell Sr., Newell Recycling Co., San Antonio, TX
1994
Norman & Dolores “Happy” Kramer, Kramer Consultants LLC, Dallas, TX
1993
Melvin Lipsitz, M. Lipsitz & Co., Waco, TX
1992
Jack Goldin, Goldin Industries Inc., Gulfport, MS
1991
Arnold Gachman, Gachman Metals & Recycling Co., Fort Worth, TX
1990
Leon Galoob, Interstate Metals Corp., Oklahoma City, OK
1989
Lee Hummelstein, Hummelstein Iron & Metal Inc., Jonesboro, AR
1988
Tom Salome, M. Lipsitz & Co., Waco, TX
1987
William A. Bushman,* A. Tenenbaum Co. Inc., North Little Rock, AR
Jake Feldman, Commercial Metals Co., Dallas, TX
1986
Israel Proler,* Proler International Corp., Houston, TX
1985
Emanuel Bodner, Bodner Metal & Iron Corp., Houston, TX
1984
William Friedman, Friedman Iron & Metal Co., Greenville, MS
*Award given posthumously.