Nina Grimes
Nina Grimes is a third-generation leader in the recycling industry, carrying forward a family legacy rooted in hard work, resilience, and community. Raised around Grimes Iron and Metal—founded by her grandfather in the 1960s in Paris, Texas, and expanded to Odessa in 1984—Nina quite literally grew up in the business. While she spent years working in and out of the company, it was in 2020 that she fully committed to the industry, discovering a deep passion for its fast-paced, ever-changing nature. Today, she serves as Senior Buyer/Trader and Operations Manager, working alongside her two brothers to lead daily operations and continue building on the foundation her family established decades ago.
In her role, Nina oversees the buying and selling of recycled materials, coordinates inbound and outbound logistics, and manages a team of more than 30 employees serving both commercial clients and individual customers. Her days are dynamic—ranging from lining up trucks and sourcing material to ensuring seamless operations across the yard—but at the core of her work is a strong commitment to customer service. Nina believes that relationships are the backbone of the business, and she prioritizes clear communication, trust, and consistency in every interaction. Her ability to balance operational demands with people-centered leadership has made her an integral force in the company’s continued growth.
Nina’s professional journey is supported by a well-rounded educational background, with associate degrees in business management, marketing, and accounting—skills that have proven invaluable in navigating the complexities of the recycling industry. Beyond her operational role, she is an active advocate for the industry’s future, contributing to leadership and mentorship initiatives through organizations like Women in Recycling. Passionate about creating opportunities for others, especially women entering the field, Nina leads with honesty, loyalty, and a strong sense of purpose. Her story is one of legacy, dedication, and a commitment to both honoring the past and shaping the future of her industry.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Weatherford College
Associate's degree, Business Administration and Management
• Recycled Materials Association (ReMA)
• Women in Recycling - Co-Chair
• Women in Recycling Mentorship Program - Program Lead
• Chamber of Commerce (local)
• Church involvement
• Researching dementia-related nonprofit involvement
What do you attribute your success to?
I would thank God first and foremost, because without Him, none of it's possible. I could work my tail end off in circles for the rest of my life and never see the level of success or the things that have happened in the last few years as quickly as they've happened. So I would say, without God, none of it's possible.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never stop learning. There's always something to learn from each other, and the day you stop learning is not a good day. Everything you learn that's given to you, you should turn around and give back. We're all out here to fix each other's crowns, not compete with each other. One of the ladies I really look up to always says we should just lock arms and go together, and that's what I believe in.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never stop learning, because we're always learning and there's always something to learn from each other. The day you stop learning is not a good day. Everything you learn that's given to you, turn around and give back. We're all out here to fix each other's crowns, not to compete or say 'I'm doing better than you.' Let's just lock arms and go together. That's what one of my mentors always says, and that's how I believe we should approach this industry.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge right now is the market volatility - all the crazy fluctuations with where material's going, tariffs, and just a lot of up and down in pricing and demand. On the opportunity side, I would say the biggest opportunity is education. When you look at where the nation stands as far as the percentages for recycling material, those numbers are actually really low compared to other states and other countries. We all recycle cans and so forth, but honestly, the biggest opportunity is educating those coming behind us, educating our laborers, and educating people on the importance of recycling - and not just your papers and plastics, but metals too.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, loyalty, and communication are the most important values to me, both professionally and personally. With those values comes trust, and that's essential. Working here with my two brothers takes a lot of communication - we have to be able to trust each other. The same goes for our employees. We have to be able to communicate and trust that when we ask someone to get something done, it's going to get done. So honesty, communication, and loyalty are probably the most important values in both my professional and personal life.