Management List
Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
Darrel W. Chambliss
James M. Little
Patrick J. Shea
Mary Anne Whitney
Matthew S. Black
Robet M. Cloninger
David G. Eddie
Eric O. Hanses
Susan R. Netherton
Robert A Nielsen III
Philip J. Rivard
Joe G. Box
Andrea R. Click
Dan Pio
Michelle L. Little
Shawn W. Mandel
John M. Perkey
Keith P. Gordon
Kurt R. Shaner
Gregory Thibodeaux
Colin G. Wittke
Jason W. Pratt

Ronald J. Mittelstaedt

Executive Chairman

Ronald J. Mittelstaedt has been Executive Chairman of Waste Connections since July 2019. From his training in 1997 to that date, Mr. Mittelstaedt served as managing director of Waste Connections. Mr. Mittelstaedt has been a director of Waste Connections since its inception, was elected president in January 1998, and sits on the executive committee. He was also president of Waste Connections from its inception until August 2004. Mr. Mittelstaedt has over 30 years of experience in the solid waste industry. He is a director of SkyWest Inc. Mr. Mittelstaedt holds a bachelor's degree in business economics with a specialization in finance from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Darrell W. Chambliss

Executive Vice President - Chief Operating Officer

Darrell W. Chambliss has been executive vice president and chief operating officer of Waste Connections since October 2003. From October 1, 1997 to that date, Mr. Chambliss served as Executive Vice President - Waste Operations for Waste Connections. Mr. Chambliss has over 30 years of experience in the solid waste industry. Mr. Chambliss holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.

James M. Little

Executive Vice President - Engineering and Waste Disposal

James M. Little has been Executive Vice President - Engineering and Waste Disposal since July 2019. From February 2009 to that date, he held the position of Senior Vice President - Engineering and Disposal of Waste Connections. Mr. Little served as Vice President - Waste Connection Engineering from September 1999 to February 2009. Mr. Little held various management positions with Waste Management, Inc. (formerly USA Waste Services), Inc. which acquired Waste Management, Inc. and Chambers Development Co. from April 1990 to September 1999, including Regional Environmental Manager and Regional Landfill Manager, and more recently the division in Ohio, where he was responsible for the operations of ten operating companies in Northern Ohio. Mr. Little is a certified professional geologist and has a bachelor's degree in geology from Slippery Rock University.

Patrick J. Shea

Executive Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary

Patrick J. Shea has been Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Waste Connections since July 2019. From August 2014 to that date, he served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Waste Connections. Mr. Shea served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Waste Connections from February 2009 to August 2014. He served as General Counsel and Secretary of Waste Connections from February 2008 to February 2009 and Corporate Counsel of Waste Connections from February 2004 to February 2008. Mr. Shea practiced corporate and securities law with Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP in San Francisco from 1999 to 2003 and Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts (now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP) in New York and London from 1995 to 1999. Mr. Shea holds a B.S. degree in Managerial Economics from the University of California at Davis and a J.D. degree from Cornell University.

Mary Anne Whitney

Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer

Mary Anne Whitney has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2021. From July 2018 to that date, Ms. Whitney served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Waste Connections. From February 2018 to July 2018, Ms. Whitney served as Senior Vice President - Finance of Waste Connections. From March 2012 to February 2018, Ms. Whitney served as Vice President - Finance of Waste Connections. From November 2006 to March 2012, Ms. Whitney served as Director of Finance of Waste Connections. Ms. Whitney held various finance positions for Wheelabrator Technologies from 1990 to 2001. Ms. Whitney holds a B.A. degree in Economics from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. in Finance from New York University Stern School of Business.

Matthew S. Black

Senior Vice President - Chief Tax Officer

Matthew S. Black has been Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Officer of Waste Connections since January 2017. From March 2012 to that date, Mr. Black served as Vice President and Chief Tax Officer of Waste Connections. From December 2006 to March 2012, Mr. Black served as executive director of Taxes of Waste Connections. Mr. Black served as tax director of The McClatchy Company from April 2001 to November 2006 and tax director from December 2000 to March 2001. From January 1994 to November 2000, Mr. Black held various positions, including tax director, for PricewaterhouseCoopers s.r.l./s.e.n.c.r.l. Mr. Black is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in taxation from California State University, Sacramento.

Robert M. Cloninger

Senior Vice President - Deputy General Counsel and Deputy Secretary

Robert M. Cloninger has been Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Waste Connections since February 2022. From August 2014 to February 2022, Mr. Cloninger served as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Waste Connections. From February 2013 to August 2014, Mr. Cloninger served as Deputy General Counsel of Waste Connections. From February 2008 to February 2013, Mr. Cloninger served as Corporate Counsel of Waste Connections. Mr. Cloninger practiced corporate, securities and mergers and acquisitions law with Schiff Hardin LLP in Chicago from 1999 to 2004 and Downey Brand LLP in Sacramento from 2004 to 2008. Mr. Cloninger holds a B.A. degree in History from Northwestern University and a J.D. degree from the University of California at Davis.

David G. Eddie

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

David G. Eddie has been Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Waste Connections since January 2011. From February 2010 to that date, Mr. Eddie served as Vice President – Chief Accounting Officer of Waste Connections. From March 2004 to February 2010, Mr. Eddie served as Vice President – Corporate Controller of Waste Connections. From April 2003 to February 2004, Mr. Eddie served as Vice President – Public Reporting and Compliance of Waste Connections. From May 2001 to March 2003, Mr. Eddie served as Director of Finance of Waste Connections. Mr. Eddie served as Corporate Controller for International Fibercom, Inc. from April 2000 to May 2001. From September 1999 to April 2000, Mr. Eddie served as Waste Connections’ Manager of Financial Reporting. From September 1994 to September 1999, Mr. Eddie held various positions, including Audit Manager, for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Eddie holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from California State University, Sacramento.

Eric O. Hansen

Senior Vice President - Chief Information Officer

Eric O. Hansen has been Senior Vice President – Chief Information Officer of Waste Connections since February 1, 2019. From July 2004 to that date, Mr. Hansen served as Vice President – Chief Information Officer of Waste Connections. From January 2001 to July 2004, Mr. Hansen served as Vice President – Information Technology of Waste Connections. From April 1998 to December 2000, Mr. Hansen served as Director of Management Information Systems of Waste Connections. Mr. Hansen holds a B.S. degree from Portland State University.

Susan R. Netherton

Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Training and Development

Susan R. Netherton has been Senior Vice President – Human Resources, Training and Development of Waste Connections since February 2022. From July 2013 to February 2022, Ms. Netherton served as Vice President – People, Training and Development of Waste Connections. From February 2007 to July 2013, Ms. Netherton served as Director of Human Resources and Employment Manager of Waste Connections. From 1994 to 2007, Ms. Netherton held various human resources positions at Carpenter Technology Corporation, a publicly-traded, specialty metals and materials company. Ms. Netherton holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Kutztown University and an M.B.A. from St. Mary’s College of California.

Robert A. Nielsen III

Senior Vice President of Operations

Rob Nielsen has been Senior Vice President of Operations for Waste Connections since July 2023. From April 2002 to that date, Mr. Nielsen served as Regional Vice President of Waste Connections, including for the southern, western, and eastern regions. From May 1999 to April 2002, Mr. Nielsen was Regional Director at Waste Connections. Prior to joining Waste Connections in May 1999, Mr. Nielsen worked for Browning Ferris Industries as Regional Vice President of Recycling. Mr. Nielsen has a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Maine.

Dan Pio

Senior Vice President of Operations

Dan Pio has been Senior Vice President of Operations for Waste Connections since July 2023. From June 2016 to that date, Mr. Pio was president of Waste Connections of Canada. From January 2016 to June 2016, Mr. Pio served as CEO and Chief Integration Officer of Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. prior to its merger with Waste Connections. From October 2013 to January 2016, Mr. Pio served as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. From March 2010 to October 2013, Mr. Pio was Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of BFI Canada. From January 2001 to October 2005, Mr. Pio was Senior Vice President of Waste Management Inc. and President of Waste Management of Canada. During his 35-year career in the solid waste industry, Mr. Pio has also held leadership positions at USA Waste Services and Laidlaw Waste Systems. Mr. Pio holds a bachelor's degree in economics from McMaster University.

Philip J. Rivard

Senior Vice President of Business Development

Phil Rivard has been Senior Vice President of Business Development at Waste Connections since July 2023. From April 2022 to that date, Mr. Rivard was Executive Director and Head of M&A at Waste Connections. From July 2001 to March 2022, Mr. Rivard served as Regional Vice President of Waste Connections. From August 1999 to June 2001, Mr. Rivard served as Divisional Vice President of Waste Connections. From October 1997 to July 1999, Mr. Rivard served as Business Development Manager for Waste Connections. From July 1988 to September 1997, Mr. Rivard held various positions at USA Waste Services Inc., Sanifill Inc. and Browning-Ferris Industries. Mr. Rivard worked as an external auditor at Touche Ross & Co. from June 1986 to June 1988. Mr. Rivard holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Metropolitan State University in Denver.

Joe G. Box

Vice President of Investor Relations

Joe Box has been Vice President of Investor Relations at Waste Connections since July 2023. From May 2018 to that date, Mr. Box was the CFO of Waste Connections. From June 2006 to April 2018, Mr. Box held various positions at KeyBanc Capital Markets, including Director - Senior Equity Analyst, where he covered equity research in the commercial services sector. From March 2004 to May 2006, Mr. Box served as a Market Research Associate at Midwest Research, where he covered the transportation sector. Mr. Box holds a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing from the University of Dayton.

Andrea R. Click

Vice President - Corporate Tax

Andrea R. Click has been Vice President - Corporate Tax since February 2023. From February 2017 to that date, Ms. Click served as the company's Executive Tax Director. From February 2015 to January 2017, Ms. Click served as the company's tax director. From February 2009 to February 2015, Ms. Click served as the company's tax director. From January 2007 to January 2009, Ms. Click served as the company's tax analyst. Ms. Click served as a tax analyst for The McClatchy Company from October 2004 to December 2006. Ms. Click is a chartered accountant and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from California State University, Stanislaus.

Keith P. Gordon

Vice President - Information Systems

Keith P. Gordon has been Vice President – Information Systems of Waste Connections since January 2017. From September 2010 to that date, Mr. Gordon served as Director of Information Systems of Waste Connections. Prior to joining Waste Connections, he spent 14 years in leadership roles with CableData, DST Innovis and Amdocs, Inc. leading an international software development organization, as well as serving as CTO for a startup company that was acquired by LivingSocial. Mr. Gordon spent 11 years as an Army officer in a number of leadership positions including Company Commander and Battalion staff positions. Mr. Gordon has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from United States Military Academy, West Point, and M.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University.

Michelle L. Little

Vice President for Community Affairs and Corporate Giving

Michelle L. Little has been the Vice President of Community Affairs and Corporate Giving since July 2023. From February 2023 to that date, Ms. Little served as Vice President of Engagement Solutions at Waste Connections. From August 2019 to February 2023, Ms. Little served as the executive director for engagement solutions/human resource information systems (HRIS) at Waste Connections. From January 2017 to August 2019, Ms. Little was Vice President of Accounting for Waste Connections. From December 2007 to January 2017, Ms. Little was the accounting manager for Waste Connections. From 2001 to 2006, Ms. Little held a variety of accounting roles at companies such as Apple Computer and Pearson Education. From September 1996 to June 2001, Ms. Little held various positions, including Director of Transaction Services at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Little is a chartered accountant and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration with a specialization in accounting from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

Shawn W. Mandel

Vice President - Safety and Risk Management

Shawn W. Mandel has been Vice President - Safety and Risk Management at Waste Connections since January 2017. From May 2011 until that date, Mr. Mandel served as director of waste connection safety. From 1995 to 2011, Mr. Mandel held various safety leadership positions at Republic Services (formerly Browning-Ferris Industries and Allied Waste), including the Safety Director. Mr. Mandel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from National University.

John M. Perkey

Vice President, Deputy General Counsel – Compliance and Government Affairs

John M. Perkey has been Vice President, Deputy General Counsel for Compliance and Government Affairs at Waste Connections since February 2022. From August 2017 to that date, Mr. Perkey served as Deputy General Counsel - Chief Compliance Officer for Waste Connections. He served as legal advisor to Waste Connections operations from June 2011 to July 2017. Mr. Perkey practiced corporate, real estate, and mergers and acquisitions law at Roetzel & Andress (LPA) in Columbus, Ohio from 2006 to 2011. Mr. Perkey holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Ohio Wesleyan University and a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Pittsburgh.

Jason W. Pratt

Vice President - Corporate Controller

Jason W. Pratt has been Vice President - Corporate Controller of Waste Connections since February 2020. From June 2016 to that date, Mr. Pratt served as Regional Controller - Canada for Waste Connections. From October 2012 to May 2016, Mr. Pratt served as Regional Controller - Western Region for Waste Connections. From January 2007 to September 2012, Mr. Pratt served as division controller - Mountain West division and division controller - North Washington division of Waste Connections. From July 2005 to December 2006, Mr. Pratt held various positions as assistant comptroller and district controller at Waste Connections. From August 2003 to June 2005, Mr. Pratt was a tax accountant for LeMaster and Daniels, PLLC. Mr. Pratt holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from the University of Portland in Oregon.

Kurt R. Shaner

Vice President of Engineering and Sustainability

Kurt R. Shaner has been Vice President of Engineering and Sustainability at Waste Connections since November 2020. From April 2002 to that date, Mr. Shaner served as East Regional Engineering Manager for Waste Connections. Mr. Shaner held various positions with Waste Management, Inc. and its predecessor companies from June 1990 to March 2002. From February 1988 to June 1990, Mr. Shaner worked as a consulting engineer specializing in the design and authorization of landfills. Mr. Shaner is a professional engineer and earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Miami.

Gregory Thibodeaux

Vice President – Maintenance and Fleet Management

Gregory Thibodeaux has been Vice President - Fleet Maintenance and Management at Waste Connections since January 2011. From January 2000 to that date, Mr. Thibodeaux held the position of director of maintenance of connections to the waste collection network. Mr. Thibodeaux has over 32 years of experience in the solid waste industry, having held various leadership positions with Browning Ferris Industries, Sanifill, and USA Waste Services, Inc. Prior to coming to Waste Connections, Mr. Thibodeaux served as maintenance manager for Texas Disposal Systems.

Colin G. Wittke

Vice President – Sales of Waste Connections

Colin G. Wittke has been Vice President – Sales of Waste Connections since the completion of the Progressive Waste acquisition on June 1, 2016. From June 2011 to that date, he served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. Prior to that time, Mr. Wittke held various roles with Waste Management, Inc. for 19 years, including the position of Vice President, Sales and Customer Service. He has more than 30 years of experience in the solid waste industry. Mr. Wittke holds a BSc in Finance (cum laude) from Biola University in La Mirada, California.