Welcoming Our Newest SWANA Faculty Members

Chikezie (Kezi) Nwaoha, Ph.D., P. Eng. – Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Kezi Nwaoha serves as the Manager of Utilities Division, Engineering Department at the City of Chilliwack, BC, Canada. He oversees budgets for water and sewer systems, collaborates with council members for project and budget approvals, and ensures compliance with water system bylaws and reporting requirements.

Scott Theede – Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Scott Theede serves as the Senior Project Management Engineer within the City of Saskatoon's Water & Waste Operations Department. He leads the upkeeping of landfill infrastructure, overseeing the construction of new landfill structures, and maintaining a pivotal role in managing the city’s interactions with the Ministry of Environment. Among his recent endeavors are projects such as expansion of the landfill east lateral liner, landfill final cover, and surface water management improvements.

Mike Thornton – New Brockton, AL
Mike Thornton serves as the Director of Coffee County Environmental Services in Alabama. He brings over 20 years of experience in landfill management, commercial services, and residential programs. He advises county departments on environmental matters and has held key roles in SWANA, including President of the Alabama Chapter. He holds a BS in Biology & Environmental Science and possesses 20+ years of experience in the Environmental & Safety fields.

Naret Treviño – Caguas, Puerto Rico
Naret Treviño brings diverse experience in Supply Chain and Environmental Consulting by formerly navigating system integration projects, assuming functional and managerial roles to align technology with business processes. Currently, she consults for private, federal, and local municipal clients in Environmental Consulting. Her focus lies in crafting and executing project plans to ensure compliance with federal and local regulations concerning stormwater discharges, spill prevention, and landfill closure.

Michael Stepic – Uniontown, OH
Michael Stepic has over 27 years of experience in civil and environmental engineering. His expertise spans the design, permitting, and operational compliance support for a variety of projects in the fields of solid waste, construction and demolition debris, residual, industrial hazardous waste management, and Coal Combustion Residuals (CCRs). He also has experience with surface impoundment closures, large spillway development and abandonment projects, landfill redevelopment, and closed landfill issues.

Mr. Stepic is a SWANA-approved faculty member for the Construction and Demolition Debris Management, Manager of Landfill Operations, and Transfer Station Management courses.

Johnathan Meyers – Lutherville, MD
Jonathan Meyers is a Senior Technical Engineer and registered Professional Engineer in the Mid-Atlantic Region. He is the current president of the SWANA Mid-Atlantic Chapter and has over 24 years of experience in the solid waste industry. He has provided services for multiple engineering disciplines including environmental, transportation, and structural, mechanical, and civil engineering. Mr. Meyers has extensive experience in solid waste engineering and permitting, focusing on landfill engineering design, landfill operations, leachate management and treatment, landfill gas management, stormwater management, compost facility design, and regulatory compliance.

Morgan Thomas – Lewisburg, TN
Morgan Thomas, a Middle Tennessee State University graduate, dedicated 18 years as the Solid Waste Director in his hometown of Lewisburg, TN, within Marshall County. Currently affiliated with Municipal Equipment, he serves as a dealer for a range of waste management equipment, including New Way garbage trucks, Wastequip compactors and containers, Marathon compactors, balers, and sort systems, Galbreath roll-off hoists, Otto carts, Century sweepers, and Baker Waste containers. Additionally, Morgan contributes his expertise as a board member for Tennessee SWANA.

Mr. Thomas is a SWANA-approved faculty member for the Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems and the Managing Recycling Systems courses.

Sheri Praski – Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Sheri Praski is a Professional Engineer with EcoStrategies Consulting and is currently contracted as the Executive Director with SWANA Northern Lights Chapter. Previously, she held pivotal roles including a five-year tenure as the Manager of the Environmental Services Branch at the City of Saskatoon, seven years with Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation, and experience in Environmental Consulting. Her engagement extends beyond her professional commitments as she actively contributes to various environmental boards and committees.