To Whom It May Concern:

So, I wanted to give honor where it is due.

Most of us on this Facebook site have had the opportunity to learn and grow from the knowledge of John Van Tholen.

I took it a step further. I have had the privilege of working with Mr. John over the past year. To say he is a wealth of knowledge is an understatement. Our company has nearly doubled in size and became structured for future success!

He has helped us through our first acquisition and we are on our way to signing our first city contract.

If you have questions or are looking to grow in the industry, reach out to him. His rates are more than affordable and it has been the best investment for our company!

Mr. John, thank you for all you do for the industry!

Kenneth Havens
A-1 McDuffie Sanitation

We are facing some uncertain times and I felt this would be a great opportunity to give a recommendation on a business consultant I have had the pleasure to meet on this page, John Van Tholen. I contacted John with several questions regarding various cost, HOA rates, and ways to expand our business and his knowledge through personal experience of the industry was more than helpful! I am so grateful for the help John has offered us and even more so for the friendship developed through the process. If you have questions regarding this industry or looking for another perspective, I highly recommend reaching out to John!

Dear Prospective Client,
As the Director of Public Works, I have had the pleasure of working with John VanTholen for the past five years and often seek out his guidance and advice on waste industry issues.

John has served on the Kent County solid waste planning committee and most recently on our Sustainable Business Park – stakeholder review committee. His communication and people skills are excellent. His integrity, industry knowledge, experience and ability to think outside the box has provided critical perspective as we develop strategic plans to change the trajectory on how municipal solid waste is managed in West Michigan.

I highly recommend him as a waste industry consultant.

If you need additional information, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Darwin J. Baas
Director

To Whom it May Concern:

My name is Ed Dryfhout.  I have known John Van Tholen for nearly 30 years as a friend and former business partner of 17 years with Green Valley Recycling and Disposal Inc.  When John approached me with the idea of starting our waste and recycling hauling business, I wanted only to be a silent partner. However, John’s passion for the business soon lured me into full time employment with him.   

John is a 3^rd generation “garbage man” who is one of a rare breed of people who innately understand every facet of the business.  Maybe it was the upbringing, maybe it was the atmosphere of the time we grew up in the suburbs of Chicago as family hauling companies thrived, or maybe he was just destined to live a life serving others in an industry so often misunderstood.  Nobody is better suited than he.  John has a working knowledge of how all the parts of a successful hauling company work together.  

In the early days of building Green Valley, John answered the phone, taking new customers while trying to get a route done only to go home and send out the bills and get carts delivered to his new customers.  In the later days, he served on numerous industry boards and committees where his many years of experience were shared with others.  

In all our years together, John was a beacon of integrity.  I trusted him with no reservation on any matter of business.  I was sorry to have our partnership conclude with the successful sale of our company, but we enjoyed great success during our time together and celebrated with the knowledge that it was a job well done.  John is someone with the heart of a teacher who you can trust will have your best interest at heart.

Sincerely,

Ed Dryfhout

To Whom it May Concern:

Regarding: Mr. John Van Tholen

Please be informed that I have worked with John Van Tholen professionally for over 20 years. In addition, I had known John for several years prior to this period. John has always displayed the highest level of integrity in all our business dealings and conversations. It has also been my pleasure to observe John form his business venture and then to observe him growing and ultimately selling the business. During this process, John has demonstrated a high level of industry knowledge and diligence in performing his duties. John has demonstrated listening skills, but then also the ability to make decisions and carry out tasks.

It has, and is, a pleasure working with him.

Jack L Jipping
CPA

To Whom it May Concern:

I have known John Van Tholen for twenty plus years meeting him originally at church as we served together assisting our church family who were experiencing financial problems. It was through this I saw Johns compassion to help people through the difficulties of money management and making informed decisions.  In time John and I would meet over coffee to talk more about helping people and with that how we could help each other. Here is where I learned of his background in waste management going back to his grandfather in Chicago. His experience and his dream of starting his own company came up many times in our talks.  “I know what customers want and need”, I heard often. 

I became his first customer when he opened his door and as a financial advisor he became a client of mine.  Through our professional relationship I experienced an individual that thought more of his customers and his employees wellbeing then that of himself. He became successful because he always put other people first. His growth was thought out through diligent research, listening to what other successful people had done, and involving trusted advisors in his search for the right answer. 

His knowledge of the waste management business was scientific, researched, compliant, and financially well managed. When he looked to purchase other waste management companies the discussions I had with him centered on his concern that not only was it right for his company but right for the company he purchases.  It was about merging the same ideals and professionalism together so that it was also right for the customer. 

If I was looking to hire a consulting firm John would be at the top of my list. His honesty, knowledge, professionalism, fairness, and his passion to treat people fair are unmatched. 

Warmest Regards,

James B Garlock