Zella's Trash Service was established nearly 40 years ago by a man named Dewey Halbrook. He named the company after his wife Zella who was from Germany. Their family owned and operated the company until 1984 when Larry Phillips (my dad), with the support of his wife, Sylvia (my mom) bought it. Since the name was already established he decided to continue using it. He also established yellow and black as our company colors.

When he bought the company, it had only one truck with 2 people on it. In the years my dad owned the company, God blessed it substantially, and it grew to have 7 trucks and 9 employees. My dad also added commercial dumpster services, roll-off containers, and expanded into new areas.

I have been around the business my entire life, but officially came on board in 2005 working part time in the office. After graduating from Harding University in 2007 I started working full time as the Office Manager. My husband, Justin, joined the company as a driver in 2010 after he recovered from being injured on his tour in Iraq. In 2012, the decision to incorporate was made. But just like Dewey and his family many years ago we wanted to maintain the tradition of family owned and operated. Becoming part owners in the company, my husband and myself worked along side my dad, Larry, who served as President of the company. I remained the Office Manager, and Justin remained the Shop Manager and a driver.

In the midst of planning for retirement, my dad, Larry, passed away in July 2015. Although we are saddened by the loss, we realize the time has come for Justin and I to step up and operate the company maintaining the high standards my dad had set before us.

In the years ahead, we plan to continue to grow our company and serve our customers with the reliable and personal service they have come to know and expect from our company.

Maegen Haynes
ZTS President