Celebrating Success: Honoring Our New Certification Holders

SWANA proudly recognizes 89 individuals who have demonstrated their dedication, knowledge, and expertise in solid waste management by earning a coveted SWANA certification.

They know that certification is not just a credential; it demonstrates one’s commitment to lifelong learning and to expanding professional and personal competencies.

SWANA certification places them among an elite group of solid waste professionals who have exhibited unwavering commitment to professional and career development, investing countless hours to study, preparation, and rigorous examination. Their success reflects their enduring pursuit of excellence in our industry.

New Certification Holders (July – September 2023)

Manager of Landfill Operations (MOLO)

Michael Abiola, Engineer III
Gary Capps, Landfill Operations Manager
Jerry Carter
Deanna Chauvet, Supervisor Waste Process
James Coffey, Solid Waste Manager
John Conover, Deputy Chief Engineer
Nicholas Fraedich, Landfill Foreman
Paul Gaffey, GC Craftsworker
Bryan Garza, Operator
Kevin Grant, Environmental Management Director
Tommy Griffin, Site Manager
Jason Guillen – Field Operation Supervisor
Griffin Hatchell, Solid Waste Collections Division Manager
Tecumseh Hensley, Landfill Manager
Sanford Hinkle, Operations Supervisor II, Safety & Compliance
Calvin Hodges
Kris Kaercher, Heavy Equipment Operator
Stacey Kintigh, Director Solid Waste
Tommy Lee, Operations Supervisor
Tony Ligon, Manager
Amberlyn Liles, Superintendent
David Lingle
Justin Livingston, Foreman
Jon McDonald, Resource Manager
Jorge Mendoza, Assistant General Manager
Frank Milam
Kizzy Nichols, Operations Manager Disposal
Marcus Nichols, Heavy Equipment Technician
Jeffrey Papasan, Regional Landfill Manager
Wesley Pate, Environmental Projects Manager
Tyson Perry, Landfill Manager
Joe Ruffin
David Sadler, Supervisor I
Eric Staley
Robert Stotts
Vindooth Valdovinos, Field Supervisor/Mechanic
Steven Wallace
Gillian Watson, District Manager
Doug Wiggins, Solid Waste ManagerMark Williams
Roxanne Worbington, Scale Supervisor

Managing MSW Collection Systems

Michael Arrington, Sanitation Supervisor
James Daniels, Program Compliance Officer
Jose Goycochea
Robert Jackson
Freddy Tate, Recycle Crew Leader

Managing Composting Programs

Lisa Luck, Solid Waste Consultant
Tony Mason, Supervisor
Bailey Teixeira

Managing Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems

Keith Baker, Public Works Technician 2
Sarah Buck, Chief Programs Officer
Ryan Faaland, Waste Services Tech
Stephan Graham, Commercial Supervisor
Andrew Hansen, Crew Supervisor
Michael Hass, Waste Services Tech 2
Kenneth Hulett, Solid Waste Technician
Mary Hutson, State Coordinator
Dan Jessen, Superintendent of Solid Waste
Monte Kerchal, Technical Assistance Provider
Alexis Knox, Administrative Coordinator
Alax Lujan
Margaret Neal, Technical Assistance Provider
Troy Schmid, Operation Support Specialist
LaFomia Thornton
William Torres, Landfill Supervisor
Evan Tyrrell, Solid Waste Section Director
Shelly Underwood, State Field Manager
Edwin Vazquez-Asencio,Sustainable Matl’s Mgmt Specialist
Kristina Ward

Managing Recycling Systems

Laurie Ackerman, Waste Reduction & Recycling Coordinator
Dwayne Bell, Public Works Operations Manager
Andrew Daughtry, Environmental Recycling Specialist
Keith Noden
Sasha Stewart, Public Works Specialist

Transfer Station Management

John Beckner, Operations Supervisor
Terry Blazer, Transfer Station Supervisor
Adam Burleson, Operations Manager
Garry Elam, 2nd Shift Waste Handling Supervisor
Trevor Hummel, Recycling Contracts and Marketing Manager
Eugene Kahle, Transfer Station Manager
Jeff Lawrence, HEO
Scott McFarland, Lead Heavy Equipment Operator
Shane Nance, Waste Handling Supervisor
Brian Ottenschnieder, Solid Waste Field Ops Supervisor
James Profitt, Solid Waste Services Manager
Tony Steele, Waste Handling Shift Supervisor
Norman Young, Lead Heavy Equipment Operator

Zero Waste Principles & Practices

Andy Hattala, Sustainability Coordinator
Scott Silva, Zero Waste Program Manager

Ready to Certify?

Visit our Become Certified page and follow three easy steps to register for certification.

• Step 1: Create a SWANA Login Account
• Step 2: Apply for certification online
• Step 3: Register for online testing

Exam Costs:

• Members: $250.00
• Non-members: $400.00

*Certification and recertification fees do NOT cover your SWANA membership fees.

Contact me for more information on certification and recertification!

SHERI JOHNSON | Coordinator, Certification & Training
Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)
1100 Wayne Ave, Ste 650, Silver Spring, MD 20910
P. (240) 494-2239 | F. (301) 585-0297
sjohnson@swana.org | swana.org