MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #477: Nate Morris

Nate Morris is Chairman and CEO of Morris Industries, a privately held conglomerate headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. Founded in 2010, Morris Industries leverages the power of business to solve some of America's biggest challenges.  Before founding Morris Industries, Nate Morris established Rubicon, one of America's largest waste and recycling companies, operating in 50 states and 20 countries. Legally formed in 2009 with a $10,000 line of credit. Morris served as CEO for over 12 years. Under his leadership, Morris led a $ 2 billion transaction to bring Rubicon public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Rubicon was named "One of the World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company, an "Industry Disruptor" by Inc. Magazine, and a Great Place to Work™ for five consecutive years, providing 100% free healthcare for all employees. Rubicon is only one of nine Kentucky companies to have become public on the 230-year history of the New York Stock Exchange. Morris was the first Kentuckian to be named to Fortune Magazine's 40 Under 40 list and is a regional winner of EY's Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is also the youngest inductee EVER to the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. By the age of 21, Morris worked in the U.S. House & Senate, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the White House. Morris also worked for the American Red Cross and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. A ninth-generation Kentuckian, Morris's family descends from Morgan County, in the heart of Appalachia. A product of public schools, Morris was raised in a union household by a single mother. Through academic scholarships and working, Morris graduated from George Washington University, studied public policy at Princeton University, and earned a business degree at Oxford University. He was elected Phi Beta Kappa and named a Fulbright Specialist Scholar. Morris holds an honorary doctorate of letters from the University of Pikeville. Nate Morris is the founder and Managing Trustee of the Morris Foundation, whose mission is to provide access to the American Dream for all Kentuckians. Morris currently serves as the Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics and is the Chairman of 2X Game Changers. Morris and his wife Jane reside at Commonwealth Farm in Lexington.