Waste management
Operations professionals in Waste management
These ten professionals have held operations leadership roles in waste collection, disposal and recycling. A reader can learn how waste operations teams run routes, sites and facilities day to day, and where staffing, equipment and handoffs slow the work down.
Professionals to explore
01—10Billy Lovell
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Runco Waste Industries
Former Director of Operations at Runco Waste Industries (2024–2026). The summary describes 20+ years in the waste and environmental services industry. Other listed roles include General Manager, Multi-Site Hauling Operations at Aspen Waste Systems (2024) and General Manager at GFL Environmental Inc. (2006–2024).
Blake Whittington
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · WM
Director of Operations at WM since 2023. The headline gives the role as Director of Operations, Sustainability and Environmental Services at WM, and the highlights describe responsibility for Remediation Services and FlyAshDirect (FAD), with oversight of all new and existing project operations. Other listed roles include Senior Manager - Operations at WM (2020–2023), Sr. Project Estimator at WM (2017–2020), Project Estimator at WM (2012–2017) and Owner Treasurer at Don M Whittington Farm, Inc (2018–2020).
Buddy Johnikin
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Iron Waste Disposal
Director of Operations at Iron Waste Disposal since 2026. The summary describes 20+ years of hands-on experience in waste and recycling. Other listed roles include Vice President Operations at CEM Rolloffs (2023–2026) and Vice President Operations at Environmental Alternatives, LLC (1992–2023).
Richard Lynas
LinkedInExperience: Operations Manager · SUEZ UK
Operations Manager at SUEZ UK since 2016. For this role, the highlights describe running four composting facilities (two in-vessel and two open windrow) and one wood recycling facility in the Midlands, with budget, P&L, health and safety and environmental compliance responsibility. Other listed roles include Senior Site Manager at SUEZ UK (2010–2016), Site Manager at SUEZ UK (2009–2010), Assistant Site Manager at SUEZ UK (2008–2009) and Assistant Site Manager at Veolia | UK (2004–2008).
Rick Kania
LinkedInExperience: Director of Collection Operations · WM
Director of Collection Operations at WM since 2013. The highlights give the role as Director of Collection Operations at Waste Management, in Florida. Other listed roles include Director of Operations at WM (2011–2013), Area Sales Director at WM (2009–2011), Senior District Manager at WM (2005–2009) and Senior District Manager at WM (2004–2005).
Ryan Gatewood
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Operations · Oak Ridge Waste & Recycling
Director Of Operations at Oak Ridge Waste & Recycling since 2021. The highlights place the role in Danbury, Connecticut, in the Operations department at Director level. Other listed roles include Vice President at Just Waste Inc. (2018–2019), District Manager at Waste Connections (2009–2018) and General Manager at Gatewood Company (2004–2009).
Scott Tignac
LinkedInExperience: Director Disposal Operations · WM
Director Disposal Operations at WM since 1987. The highlights give the employer as Waste Management and place the Director Disposal Operations role in the Operations department at Director level; these are the only two work rows listed for this profile. Also Area Director of Operations at WM since 1987.
Steve Worsley
LinkedInExperience: Operations Director · Cheshire West Recycling Limited
Operations Director at Cheshire West Recycling Limited since 2020. The summary describes a waste management and recycling professional with operational and commercial expertise, currently specialising in the organics recycling sector. Other listed roles include Contract Director at Kier Group (2015–2020), General Manager (UK) at The TEG Group Plc (2014–2015), General Manager at Yorwaste (2007–2014) and Site Manager at Biffa (1999–2007).
Steven Utermark
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · WM
Director of Operations at WM since 2022. For this role, the highlights describe responsibility for WM's collection operations in New Jersey, with over 650 front-line drivers, technicians and managers providing nearly 1.5M services per month in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. Other listed roles include Senior District Manager at WM (2017–2024), District Manager at WM (2015–2017), Business Solutions Analyst at WM (2014) and Routing and Logistics Expert at WM (2012–2013).
Tom Cornelissen
LinkedInExperience: Recycling Operations Director · Veolia | Belgium & Luxembourg
Recycling Operations Director at Veolia | Belgium & Luxembourg since 2026. The highlights describe Veolia as active in three main business lines: water, energy and waste. Other listed roles include Strategic Operations Director at Veolia | Belgium & Luxembourg (2024–2026), COO at Ecoo (2023–2024), Director of Business Development at Bionerga N.V. (2021–2024) and Site Manager Verbranding at Bionerga N.V. (2014–2022).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's operating setting to your decision, since residential and commercial collection, landfill and disposal sites, and recycling or composting facilities raise different questions. Check whether their relevant role is current or past and how many sites or routes it covered.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Which part of your collection or facility operation caused the most missed service or rework, and what did you change?
- 02How did you plan drivers, crews and equipment when volumes or staffing shifted?
- 03Which operating measures did you review every week, and why those?
Reaching operations professionals in Waste management
How can I contact one of these operations professionals in Waste management?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 7 companies, including Runco Waste Industries, WM and Iron Waste Disposal, based on profile data retrieved on October 1, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach operations professionals in Waste management?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
Request a correction or removal