Ryan A. Hatfield
Ryan A. Hatfield
Executive Vice President | SBC Solutions Group
Growing up in rural Ohio, Ryan A. Hatfield was raised in a family of farmers going back generations. For almost 200 years, since the family emigrated from England to the United States in 1831, the tradition saw the son working with his father, eventually inheriting the farm, following in the footsteps of their farming heritage, and then passing it down to his own offspring. However, he and his brothers, Michael and Randy, were the first not to pursue farming in adulthood. It was their father, Lynn, who wanted something different for them, encouraging them early on to leave the farm, attend college—something no one in the family had done before—and pursue an education, believing that farming wasn’t the best path for their future. As a result, the brothers all went to college; he ultimately earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and finance from Urbana University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1999.
Earlier in the decade, Mr. Hatfield’s father decided he no longer wanted to farm. So, in 1992, at 50, he invested $108,000 to start a recycling company inside a barn called SBC Solutions Group. Over the subsequent years, the company expanded from agriculture—shredding newspapers for animal bedding and selling the product to farmers—to commercial recycling, including newspapers, various paper grades, cardboard, office papers, and post-consumer plastics. In the late 90s, the company grew its involvement in plastics, incorporating them into its marketing strategy.
Since 1999, Mr. Hatfield has been involved in his father’s business, serving as an executive vice president, business leader, and salesman. Alongside his brothers—Michael is active as president and Randy is vice president of operations—he’s played an integral role in the growth and success of the company over the years, wielding expertise in the paper and plastics industries and working with myriad clients, including automotive manufacturers, consumer packaging, compounders, plastic molders, printers, and fiber mills. As a testament to his dedication, he was named Recycler of the Year in 2000.
In 2017, as SBC Solutions Group continued its adaptive and innovative approach by launching additional service offerings—allowing for more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions—he was invited to participate as a speaker on a panel for a sustainability conference hosted by the Solid Waste Authority of Ohio. He was the only business owner on the panel, representing a privately held business, while all the others were from publicly traded companies and did not own their businesses, allowing him to provide a distinct perspective. Additionally, he’s maintained a connection to the industry as an active member of the Association of Ohio Recyclers.
Mr. Hatfield attributes his success to his parents, who instilled valuable life lessons that have guided him through his career; his father, for instance, passed down a guiding principle that’s since shaped both his business approach and personal integrity: “You are always better off doing no business than doing bad business.” Alongside that principle, he stressed the importance of paying one’s bills, “keeping your word,” and always aiming to over-deliver while under-promising.
Beyond his primary endeavors, Mr. Hatfield has long been committed to youth development initiatives in his local community. He volunteers as a coach with the Babe Ruth League Inc., serves as the co-founder and coach of Lewis Center Sharks Youth Softball, and is active on the staff at Rock City Church and the Columbus Dream Center. Looking ahead, he strives to continue making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people through his coaching and ministry efforts, recognizing them as the next generation and investing in their growth and development. He also hopes, post-retirement, that people will return to share how he has affected their lives.
Press Release
Marquis Who’s Who Honors Ryan A. Hatfield for Advancement in Recycling Protocols
Ryan A. Hatfield is a respected small business leader in the environmental sustainability industry
CENTERBURG, OH, March 21, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Ryan Hatfield has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Hatfield has served as the executive vice president of SBC Solutions Group since 1999. Under his capable leadership, the company has grown significantly and seen a significant shift from agriculture to commercial recycling. Initially established in 1992, SBC Solutions Group began by shredding newspapers for animal bedding. However, due to a surge in paper recycling prices three years after the firm’s launch, the company strategically pivoted to focus on recycling various paper grades and plastics. This transition in 1995 marked a pivotal moment in the company’s history, allowing deeper involvement in plastics and a redefinition of the business model. In 2017, SBC Solutions Group continued its adaptive and innovative approach with the launch of additional service offerings allowing for more sustainable and environmental solutions.
Mr. Hatfield’s expertise has been widely recognized within the industry, as evidenced by his participation as a panel speaker at a sustainability conference hosted by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio. As the only business owner representative selected for a panel discussion among executives from Fortune 500 companies, he demonstrated a distinct presence in the industry. Additionally, Mr. Hatfield maintains an active membership in the Association of Ohio Recyclers, further solidifying his commitment to the advancement of industry practices.
A dedication to continuous learning prompted Mr. Hatfield to pursue academic excellence. He proudly holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and finance with a minor in theater from Urbana University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1999. This foundation has proven vital to Mr. Hatfield’s success at SBC Solutions Group and provided him with the skills necessary to navigate complex market dynamics and drive strategic growth.
Mr. Hatfield attributes much of his success to his parents, Lynn and Betty Hatfield, who instilled valuable life lessons that have guided him throughout his career. Notably, the roots of his own professional journey can be traced to his family’s history as farmers in Ohio since 1831; however, despite this agricultural heritage, his parents encouraged him and his siblings, Michael and Randy Hatfield, to pursue higher education and to identify and then explore opportunities beyond farming. This led the Hatfield family away from the family tradition and into new ventures, ultimately resulting in the establishment of SBC Solutions Group.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Hatfield persists in seeking opportunities for civic engagement and community service. He volunteers with The Columbus Ohio Dream Center and Rock City Church, and he co-founded the Lewis Center Sharks Youth Softball Organization. Mr. Hatfield’s commitment to youth development is also evident through his support of the Children’s Ministry at Vineyard Columbus and his role as a coach for Babe Ruth League Inc.
In recognition of his many meaningful contributions, Mr. Hatfield humbly accepted the Recycler of the Year award gifted to SBC Solutions Group. He also thrives on sharing his expertise as an invited speaker at environmental and sustainability conferences and is a devoted father to two children. Looking toward the future, Mr. Hatfield envisions passing on his passion for making a positive impact on the world by establishing an enduring legacy of inspiration and change.
