News
January 23, 2020
The SWANA Young Professionals (YP) group continues to grow and expand across the country. SWANA YP members have been busy this past year speaking at SWANA events, leading teams, mentoring students and making strides in every aspect of the industry. With more than 1,000 YPs, their accomplishments are certainly something to be very proud of.
Lee Daigle started in the waste industry as an environmental intern at the Colonie Landfill in Latham, NY. He was pursuing an Environmental Engineering BS from Rensselear Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. After graduating, Lee joined HDR Engineering, Inc., where he first joined SWANA.
Attending conferences initially as the YP representative for his company lead Lee to become more involved in the committees. Lee became heavily involved in the Landfill Gas & Biogas Technical Division. Over time, he was asked to apply for Vice Chair of the Extraction and Control Subcommittee, his area of specialization in the solid waste field.
In 2011, Lee moved to Tetra Tech as a project manager and helped others become a part of SWANA.
“Tetra Tech wanted their individuals to become more active in the professional organization which I was really excited about, and I was able to help push this internally to include a focus on the Young Professionals,” Lee said. “Our office now has five Young Professional members for the SWANA Badger Chapter, whereas previously we only had one. This is because of the charge that our corporate folks gave us to move things forward.”
Lee has continued participating in SWANA conferences as the Vice Chair and will be assisting in the presentation of a landfill gas technical training at the upcoming SWANApalooza in Atlanta, GA, from March 23-26, 2020.
“Being a SWANA YP has been beneficial to the advancement of both my personal career but also my company’s involvement in SWANA. Being a SWANA member and specifically a YP is one of the easiest things that I've done to expand my career in the solid waste industry,” Lee added.
If you would like to apply or nominate someone for YP of the Month, click here.