Maria Rios is the proud President and CEO of Nation Waste, Inc., one of the first female Hispanic-owned waste removal companies in the United States. Her dedication to providing the highest caliber of customer service has allowed Nation Waste, Inc. to become one of Houston’s largest minority-owned waste removal companies.
Maria received a B.A. from the University of Houston in 1997. While attending, she worked for a large waste removal company and was inspired to remain in the waste removal industry after completing her degree. She saw a niche in the industry for a company to thrive by relentlessly focusing on the highest caliber customer service while offering both waste removal and recycling. Upon graduation, Maria purchased two trucks and Nation Waste, Inc. was born.
Through 24-hour-a-day, quality customer service, Maria proved herself to contractors in a predominantly male industry. Nation Waste, Inc. began with small jobs and Maria offered a level of customer service that was unheard of in the waste removal and recycling industry, proving herself and opening doors for larger contracts to flow to her company.
Maria has built Nation Waste, Inc. into a successful waste removal and recycling company with a focus on how to serve others in the Houston community. She and her team worked tirelessly to help those affected by the aftermath of devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Ike.
Maria’s commitment to the community is also demonstrated by her support of Aldine Little League, the Harris County Sherriff’s Department, the Girl Scouts of America, ESL literacy, women’s retreat scholarships and support of various other organizations causes. She is a member of the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council, and serves as an Executive Board member of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Women Chamber of Commerce Board, United States Green Business Council Board, and was appointed by the mayor to the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity Advisory Board.
Nation Waste, Inc. is registered as a Small Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise with the City of Houston, HISD, Port of Houston and METRO. Nation Waste, Inc. is Texas Historically Underutilized Business certified.
Maria has been the recipient of numerous professional accolades including: 2004 Gold Medal Award Business Woman of the Year from the Business Advisory Committee by President of the United States at the White House, 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the National Congressional Committee in Washington D.C., 2009 Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2009 BBB Gold Star Award, The Texas Governor’s Award for Best business practices and Houston’s Most Influential Women by Houston Woman Magazine. Maria won the 2013 Fortune Most Powerful Women Entrepreneur Award for her innovative and groundbreaking business model.
Maria emigrated from El Salvador with her parents as a child, pursued an education, founded a successful business, has received an award from the President of The United States and is truly living the American Dream.
Maria Rios
President & CEO
Nation Waste, Inc.
12006 Proctor Street
Houston, Texas 77038
713.649.7776
www.nationwaste.us
