Texas Wesleyan is proud to honor 1977 graduate Kerry Getter as the 2022 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Kerry founded Balcones Resources in 1994 with a small group of investors and a focus on commercial recycling in Austin, Texas. He was inspired by the possibility of leveraging innovation, their industry knowledge and most importantly a good team of experts and a great reputation with commercial partners to create a company that, in his words, “did things right,” and “was serious about recycling.”

Almost 30 years later, Balcones has grown significantly, expanding to five locations across the Southern U.S., with a sixth one coming soon after winning the City of San Antonio municipal contract for residential recycling. The company is now the largest independent recycler in the region.

Prior to starting Balcones, Kerry was a regional recycling manager for Waste Management and was part of a family-owned recycling business. He also served as a Director and CEO of a Texas Bank holding company.

Kerry is a frequent speaker at national and state recycling trade events and is a two-time finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He serves on the advisory board of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas.

Kerry attended the University of Pennsylvania as an anthropology major, wanting to become Indiana Jones (before there was an Indiana Jones). He gave up the pursuit to become a pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization while finishing his Bachelor of Arts in political science at Texas Wesleyan. Currently, Kerry serves on Texas Wesleyan's Board of Trustees and is a member of the finance and audit committee of the board. 

Help us celebrate Kerry and his achievements at the Alumni Medal Dinner on Friday, Nov. 4, in the Martin University Center.

About the Alumni Medal Dinner

Each year, Texas Wesleyan University honors distinguished alumni and friends. Their achievements and contributions are amazing reflections of the University, and we are honored to celebrate and recognize them each year.

The Alumni Medal Dinner is at the Martin University Center on campus on Friday, Nov. 4. The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7 p.m.

The event is open to all alumni, friends and faculty and staff, and tickets are $65 per person. Register online by Oct. 31

For questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 817-531-6548 or alumni@txwes.edu.