Nigel Baummer
Herrera Environmental Consultants
Engineer III - Sustainable Development
Nigel began his solid waste career in Madison, WI supporting construction activities for opening and closing landfill cells as an intern for Dane County Public Works. When he moved west to Seattle after college, he quickly had to learn what a transfer station was, as he spent a good portion of his next four years supporting design for one of King County’s upcoming facilities for HDR Engineering, Inc. Nigel recently shifted focus towards the landfill side when he transitioned to work with Herrera Environmental Consultants in early 2022. As a staff engineer at Herrera, Nigel primarily supports landfill and transfer station design and construction for a variety of consultants across the Pacific Northwest. When not talking trash (or making some other overused pun about the industry), you can find Nigel spending as much time as possible outside.
Nicole DiGiorgio
Waste Connections
Business Development Manager
Nicole is the Business Development Manager for Penn Waste, a Waste Connections Company, located in southeastern Pennsylvania. In this role, she consults businesses on best waste solutions and connects end markets for their material. Her background in environmental education, particularly in waste-to-energy technology, landfill operations, and recycling, has helped in her current role assisting businesses achieve their sustainability and zero waste goals. Her passion for sustainability bleeds into her personal life as she enjoys upcycling furniture she finds destined for the landfill, and volunteers with her local conservancy as a team lead for a clean water initiative. On the weekends she can be found hiking with her two dogs or traveling with her husband. Nicole is very excited to advance her knowledge and experience in the industry with the SWANA Young Professional Leadership Academy.
Nate Francisco
Southern Idaho Solid Waste
Executive Director and CEO
Nate is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for Southern Idaho Solid Waste; a seven-county solid waste district in Southern Idaho. He also currently serves as Secretary of the SWANA Beaver Chapter, Past President of the Idaho Solid Waste Association, Commissioner of the Cassia County Planning and Zoning Commission, and board member of the Idaho Cleanup Project Citizen’s Advisory Board at the Idaho National Laboratory. It is his passion to help create economical solutions to environmental challenges. He also enjoys taking advantage of all the outdoor recreation opportunities in Idaho with his wife and two children.
Cassie Horton
Waste Connections
Regional Safety Manager
Region Safety Manager for Waste Connections’ Central Region, based in Denver, Colorado. I have over six years of experience in safety and health and use experience from past operations roles to relate to our employees' and leaders' challenges and needs. I value my job at Waste Connections because it allows me to focus on our people, which is incredibly fulfilling! All my energy goes into connecting with them and building relationships that transcend our work. I enjoy outdoor activities like camping and hiking in my free time, and I recently took to snow-shoeing! I love board games, picking up a book to read from the public library, and, most of all, traveling with my partner to visit as many National Parks as possible!
Andrew Lee
HDR
Solid Waste EIT
I live in Des Moines, Iowa with my wife and two children. I went to school at Iowa State University after living in the Chicago suburbs my whole life and have been in Iowa ever since. I come from a multi-cultural background and I love applying my diverse background to working as an engineer.
Anthony Novelli
Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District
Project Manager
I was born and raised in Leominster, MA and graduated from UMass Amherst in 2015 with a B.S. in Biology and minor in Environmental Science. Shortly after graduating, I took a vacation to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, fell in love, and decided to stay indefinitely. Before long, I was living like Tom Cruise in Cocktail and bartending right in front of Cruz Bay. In 2019, I started a nonprofit recycling program and reuse store through Island Green Living Association to divert valuable resources from the landfill. In August 2022, my wife and I moved back to Massachusetts to be closer to our family and in December I started working with the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District as a Project Manager. Here I will continue to focus on sustainable materials management and am currently developing a food waste composting program. I'm honored to be a part of this year's Leadership Academy!
Ashley Brooke Ramsey
Atlantic Coast Consulting, Inc
Project Manager, Geologist
Ashley Ramsey is a Senior Project Manager with Atlantic Coast Consulting, Inc. based in Roswell, GA. Ms. Ramsey earned her M.S. in Geology from the University of Tennessee and her B.S. in Geology from Baylor University. In her 5 years working in the realm of environmental consulting, Ms. Ramsey has been involved in the design, implementation, and management of a wide variety of site assessment, remediation, permitting, and compliance projects throughout the Southeastern United States. Since joining SWANA in October of 2022, Ms. Ramsey has been an active member of the local SWANA-Georgia Chapter and has since joined the Technical Program Committee and serves as Co-Chair for the newly established Communications Committee. In addition to her passion to help produce a cleaner environment for all, Ms. Ramsey has a passion for mentoring and outreach which she demonstrates through her efforts to implement enterprise-wide mentoring programs, establishing a career fair for geoscience students at The University of Tennessee, and by serving as an Advisor for a local university’s Zeta Tau Alpha Chapter, among others.
Nicholas D Rodricks
Baltimore County
Bureau Chief
Nick Rodricks is the Bureau Chief for the Bureau of Solid Waste overseeing all Solid Waste operations for Baltimore County. Nick oversees the day to day operations of Baltimore County solid waste facilities, including solid waste transfer, disposal contracts, bureau personnel and all communications related to solid waste and recycling. Prior to joining Baltimore County Nick researched Waste-To-Energy at ARPA-E, a division of the Department of Energy. He is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health where he studied Environmental Health.
Ms. Sierra Schupp
HDR Engineering
Civil/Environmental (Solid Waste) EIT
My name is Sierra Schupp and I live in Denver, Colorado. I grew up on the East Coast and graduated from North Carolina State University with my B.S. and M.S. in Environmental Engineering. I currently work as a solid waste consultant with HDR and enjoy solving problems and helping clients every day. In my free time I love hiking and skiing, spending time with family and friends, and reading a good book. My favorite things in life are sour beers, sushi, and my cat, Suki.
Class of 2022
Mr John Daniel Holmes Jr.
South Central Solid Waste Authority
Assistant Transfer Station Manager
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Mr. John Holmes serves the Authority as the Assistant Transfer Station Manager for SCSWA at the largest Solid Waste Transfer Station in Dona Ana County, in Las Cruces, NM. He started his management training in 2011 outside the solid waste industry when he was a Lead Operator in the Alternative Energy Sector in solar work across New Mexico and Texas for over three years. His reliable performance as a Lead Operator elevated him to a quality control (QC) position for final installation inspection before going live with the solar products.
Mr. Holmes entered the municipal solid waste service industry with SCWSA in 2014. This is where he began developing the skills and trade knowledge for operating a transfer station efficiently and safely. He also gained technical experience in logistics of installation, maintenance and repair of a Harris TP-250 stationary compactor. He matured in his leadership abilities starting as a Transfer Station Attendant then quickly transitioning to a Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO), then promoted to Lead HEO, and ultimately to an Assistant Transfer Station Manager with State Certification by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) for Transfer Station Operator.
Mr. Holmes’ leadership philosophy is “Lead by example by making and keeping commitments with Integrity and character by setting goals with credibility.” He is incredibly humbled for being nominated as the first Young Professional (YP) to represent SCSWA. When John is selflessly striving for perfection, he loves to spend time with his three daughters and wife. He enjoys hiking, playing with his kids, and working on cars in his free time.
Mr. John Holmes serves the Authority as the Assistant Transfer Station Manager for SCSWA at the largest Solid Waste Transfer Station in Dona Ana County, in Las Cruces, NM. He started his management training in 2011 outside the solid waste industry when he was a Lead Operator in the Alternative Energy Sector in solar work across New Mexico and Texas for over three years. His reliable performance as a Lead Operator elevated him to a quality control (QC) position for final installation inspection before going live with the solar products.
Mr. Holmes entered the municipal solid waste service industry with SCWSA in 2014. This is where he began developing the skills and trade knowledge for operating a transfer station efficiently and safely. He also gained technical experience in logistics of installation, maintenance and repair of a Harris TP-250 stationary compactor. He matured in his leadership abilities starting as a Transfer Station Attendant then quickly transitioning to a Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO), then promoted to Lead HEO, and ultimately to an Assistant Transfer Station Manager with State Certification by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) for Transfer Station Operator.
Mr. Holmes’ leadership philosophy is “Lead by example by making and keeping commitments with Integrity and character by setting goals with credibility.” He is incredibly humbled for being nominated as the first Young Professional (YP) to represent SCSWA. When John is selflessly striving for perfection, he loves to spend time with his three daughters and wife. He enjoys hiking, playing with his kids, and working on cars in his free time.
Prabhjot Kaur
City of San Jose - San Jose, CA
Environmental Services Specialist
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My name is Prabhjot Kaur and I currently work for the City of San Jose, Division of Integrated Waste Management as an Environmental Services Specialist. My family and I immigrated from Punjab, India and relocated to the Central Valley region of California where I spent most of my youth, sparking my interest in environmental and sustainability issues related to resource management. I graduated from Syracuse University in 2018 with degrees in International Relations and Energy & Its Impacts. While there I began my career interest in recycling and diversion as an intern. After several years in solid waste related programs, I’m excited to expand my knowledge and experience with the SWANA Young Professionals Leadership Academy. In my spare time I enjoy putting my cat in ridiculous costumes, cooking, gardening and powerlifting.
My name is Prabhjot Kaur and I currently work for the City of San Jose, Division of Integrated Waste Management as an Environmental Services Specialist. My family and I immigrated from Punjab, India and relocated to the Central Valley region of California where I spent most of my youth, sparking my interest in environmental and sustainability issues related to resource management. I graduated from Syracuse University in 2018 with degrees in International Relations and Energy & Its Impacts. While there I began my career interest in recycling and diversion as an intern. After several years in solid waste related programs, I’m excited to expand my knowledge and experience with the SWANA Young Professionals Leadership Academy. In my spare time I enjoy putting my cat in ridiculous costumes, cooking, gardening and powerlifting.
Rana Mandour
Tetra Tech Canada Inc.
Project Engineer-in-Training
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Rana is a Project Engineer-in-Training for the Solid Waste Management Practice within Tetra Tech in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She attained her B.Sc. in Civil Engineering with the Environmental Engineering option from the University of Alberta in 2018. During her studies, Rana specialised in solid waste management, air quality management and control, municipal systems and facilities, environmental geotechnics, and soil remediation. Rana has been working on landfill design, operations, and closure plans, transfer station designs, landfill infrastructure modelling and designs (surface water, leachate, landfill gas), environmental monitoring plans, regulatory reporting, and construction quality assurance services for Western Canada.
Rana is a Project Engineer-in-Training for the Solid Waste Management Practice within Tetra Tech in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She attained her B.Sc. in Civil Engineering with the Environmental Engineering option from the University of Alberta in 2018. During her studies, Rana specialised in solid waste management, air quality management and control, municipal systems and facilities, environmental geotechnics, and soil remediation. Rana has been working on landfill design, operations, and closure plans, transfer station designs, landfill infrastructure modelling and designs (surface water, leachate, landfill gas), environmental monitoring plans, regulatory reporting, and construction quality assurance services for Western Canada.
Allie Omens
Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Construction and Demolition Recycling Coordinator
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Allie Omens leads construction and demolition zero waste programming for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. As Construction and Demolition Recycling Coordinator, Allie advances efforts for reducing waste in construction and demolition projects city and county-wide, including connecting building permit applicants with reuse and recycling options for their jobsite debris. She manages a network of recyclers, contractors, architects, consultants, academics, and other industry professionals in Nashville to improve built environment programming and policy-making. Allie also serves as Advisory Board Member to Circular Triangle, a North Carolina-based organization that builds local capacity for a just circular economy transition.
Allie Omens leads construction and demolition zero waste programming for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. As Construction and Demolition Recycling Coordinator, Allie advances efforts for reducing waste in construction and demolition projects city and county-wide, including connecting building permit applicants with reuse and recycling options for their jobsite debris. She manages a network of recyclers, contractors, architects, consultants, academics, and other industry professionals in Nashville to improve built environment programming and policy-making. Allie also serves as Advisory Board Member to Circular Triangle, a North Carolina-based organization that builds local capacity for a just circular economy transition.
Ashley Schaaf
Rogue Waste Systems
Operations Specialist
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Ashley Schaaf is an Operations Specialist for Rogue Waste Systems in Southern Oregon. Although her original plan didn’t involve a career in the solid waste industry, she has always been a trashy girl at heart! She started working in the solid waste industry in 2008, beginning as a pay-attendant for the transfer station and moving up through dispatch, finally into operations. She is an excellent problem solver who is passionate about finding potential problems and sorting them out. Ashley takes pride in leading by example and cultivating lasting relationships. You can find Ashley enjoying nature with her two dogs or spending time with her friends and family outside of work.
Ashley Schaaf is an Operations Specialist for Rogue Waste Systems in Southern Oregon. Although her original plan didn’t involve a career in the solid waste industry, she has always been a trashy girl at heart! She started working in the solid waste industry in 2008, beginning as a pay-attendant for the transfer station and moving up through dispatch, finally into operations. She is an excellent problem solver who is passionate about finding potential problems and sorting them out. Ashley takes pride in leading by example and cultivating lasting relationships. You can find Ashley enjoying nature with her two dogs or spending time with her friends and family outside of work.
Naret Treviño
ISFPE, PSC
Consultant & Project Manager
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Naret is a Professional Engineer with work experience in the Supply Chain and Environmental Consulting spaces. As a Supply Chain Management Consultant, she performed a variety of functional and management roles throughout the lifecycle of system integration projects that sought to enable business processes with technology. Naret now acts as Consultant and Project Manager for private, federal and local municipal clients within the Environmental Consulting space. Her latest endeavors are focused on developing and executing project plans to help her clients comply with federal and local regulations as it relates to stormwater discharges, industrial wastewater management and landfill closure plans/operations. In her free time, Naret enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and skating. She also serves as Secretary of the SWANA Caribbean-PR Chapter, where she seeks to contribute to and learn from the solid waste industry community.
Naret is a Professional Engineer with work experience in the Supply Chain and Environmental Consulting spaces. As a Supply Chain Management Consultant, she performed a variety of functional and management roles throughout the lifecycle of system integration projects that sought to enable business processes with technology. Naret now acts as Consultant and Project Manager for private, federal and local municipal clients within the Environmental Consulting space. Her latest endeavors are focused on developing and executing project plans to help her clients comply with federal and local regulations as it relates to stormwater discharges, industrial wastewater management and landfill closure plans/operations. In her free time, Naret enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and skating. She also serves as Secretary of the SWANA Caribbean-PR Chapter, where she seeks to contribute to and learn from the solid waste industry community.
Emily Tucker
HDR
Solid Waste Engineer
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Emily has been a solid waste consultant with HDR Engineering, Inc. for the past four years. She provides multiple clients with engineering consulting services related to solid waste management strategies and compliance. Her area of expertise is in landfill and solid waste facility design and permitting, solid waste management planning, and environmental compliance through site inspections. She has worked on site layout and building designs for new transfer station sites and landfill facilities located throughout the country. In addition to design work, Emily is heavily involved in solid waste planning for municipalities and counties. She has been a key component in generating multiple Solid Waste Management Plans as well as Zero Waste Plans.
In addition to office work, Emily conducts in-field facility inspections and acts as a construction quality assurance representative to safeguard environmental compliance. Emily has been a SWANA member since 2017 and is currently serving on the technical committee for the South Carolina chapter. She received her thesis Master of Engineering degree in Environmental Engineering Sciences from the University of Florida with a concentration in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management. Her thesis work led to two Journal publications.
She is passionate about community service and greatly enjoys volunteering. Her other hobbies include playing volleyball, hiking and watching football. She is extremely honored to have been chosen to be a part of the inaugural YP Leadership Academy class of 2022 and is excited to get started!
Emily has been a solid waste consultant with HDR Engineering, Inc. for the past four years. She provides multiple clients with engineering consulting services related to solid waste management strategies and compliance. Her area of expertise is in landfill and solid waste facility design and permitting, solid waste management planning, and environmental compliance through site inspections. She has worked on site layout and building designs for new transfer station sites and landfill facilities located throughout the country. In addition to design work, Emily is heavily involved in solid waste planning for municipalities and counties. She has been a key component in generating multiple Solid Waste Management Plans as well as Zero Waste Plans.
In addition to office work, Emily conducts in-field facility inspections and acts as a construction quality assurance representative to safeguard environmental compliance. Emily has been a SWANA member since 2017 and is currently serving on the technical committee for the South Carolina chapter. She received her thesis Master of Engineering degree in Environmental Engineering Sciences from the University of Florida with a concentration in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management. Her thesis work led to two Journal publications.
She is passionate about community service and greatly enjoys volunteering. Her other hobbies include playing volleyball, hiking and watching football. She is extremely honored to have been chosen to be a part of the inaugural YP Leadership Academy class of 2022 and is excited to get started!