Jake Farber
President Emeritus
Jake was born in Los Angeles in 1924.
Immediately after graduating high school in 1943 he served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. for three years. Upon discharge, Jake entered the University of Southern California where he received a degree in accounting in 1950.
After graduating, he joined the family recycling firm, Alpert & Alpert. His first experience in the scrap metal trade association was in 1964 when he became Chairman of the Western Division of the National Association of Recycling Industries. He was elected President of NARI in 1980 and served for two years. From 1987 – 1991 Jake was President of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR).
Jake married Janet in 1950. They have three children. They are also the proud grandparents of eight.
Jake passed away in 2019. He is survived by two generations of family members working at Alpert & Alpert.
Howard Farber
Chairman of the Board
Howard Farber, Chairman/CEO, has broad responsibilities ranging from management overview to strategic planning for the business entities, real estate development, investments and oversight of the family office. He has more than 35 years of experience in the scrap metal, specialty alloy aluminum and battery recycling/distribution industries.
Prior to joining Alpert & Alpert Howard worked during the summers in the scrap metal yard, sorting metal and learning all aspects of the scrap business. After graduating from university, he joined the company full time, and spent the first two years of his career in the scrap yard. He then moved into the office working in the logistics department prior to becoming a trader. Howard took over the international business from his father, spending time traveling overseas, primarily to Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan.
Howard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California (USC), graduating in 1979. Howard held a variety of offices of the West Coast Chapter of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) prior to serving as its President from 1988-1990. He also served on the National Board of Directors for ISRI.
Besides being involved in a variety of charitable organizations, Howard was the founder and founding President of de Toledo High School in West Hills, California.
Howard, along with his wife Rebekah and their daughter Emma, live in Southern California. His son Max is attending university in Boston, where his oldest daughter Hannah also lives.
He also enjoys golfing, skiing, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.
Alan Alpert
Vice Chairman of the Board
Alan Alpert works with Howard to oversee all group activities. He has almost 35 years of experience in the scrap metal industry.
Alan worked summers in the Long Beach scrap metal facility during high school. His first job was sweeping. After graduating from college, he worked at the Office of Japanese Affairs in the State Department, then taught English in Japan. In 1981 he joined the company full time, and spent the first few years in Long Beach, eventually running the Long Beach yard. He then moved to the corporate office, specializing in aluminum trading prior to running all aspects of Alpert & Alpert Iron & Metal, Inc. as President.
Alan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Stanford University, graduating in 1980.
Alan was a Founding Board Member of Recycling Industry Operating Standard (RIOS) and Chair of the ISRI Trade Committee.
He has been actively involved in several charitable organizations including Concern Foundation for Cancer Research and A Place Called Home and has been a board member of American Diabetes Association and Piece by Piece. Alan also continues his leadership role in WPO.
Alan’s true claim to fame is his family. He is married to his best friend, Sophie, and together they have raised four beautiful children Linda (married to Sean), Michelle (married to Scott), Karin (married to Hart) and David!
He enjoys golfing, photography and is a drummer in search of a band.