This month, ACE Recycling & Disposal is proud to be celebrating our 40th anniversary!
It seems like yesterday that Ace founder, Lon Stalsberg, was working as a civil engineer for Chicago Bridge and Iron (CBI) designing residential subdivisions. However, he knew that he wanted to be his own boss, and decided to leave his desk job for new ventures.
While searching the Tribune Classified (business opportunity section), he saw an ad: “For Sale ACE Disposal, 1 truck, 350 customers, garbage pickup business.” He decided that this was the opportunity he had been looking for and bought the business. At the time, he had a two month old son, Matt and a very supportive wife, Cyndy.
As a young mother, Cyndy may have been just a little concerned about this new business opportunity, but Lon was determined to make it work. While he drove the truck for the first 5 years while Cyndy dispatched and did billing.
Together they grew the business, even as a second addition to the family (sister Kate) was added to the mix. Additionally, to help with expenses, the Stalsberg family shared their Avenues home with a family who lived in the basement. It wasn’t easy!
Over the course of 10 years from 1985 to 1995, Ace found some amazing people that helped move the company to the next level. That meant bigger yards, more work and longer days.
Over the next 25 years Ace continued to triple or quadruple in size. Their success was built through hard work, great customers who appreciated Ace services, and the incredible team that keeps Ace moving forward.
We are proud to tell the humble story of where we came from as we truly believe our history helps define us. Cheers to 40 years and many more!
