Personnel

Veolia hires VP for municipal water contract operations

Veolia, a Boston-based provider of water services and environmental solutions, has appointed Ghassan Korban as vice president of large projects and structuring in the company’s Municipal Water Contract Operations business.

Korban, who recently retired as executive director of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), brings almost four decades of public sector experience to this role.

In his new position, Korban will leverage his extensive public utility management expertise to provide strategic guidance for Veolia’s contract operations partnerships, Veolia says. His unique perspective as a former public utility leader will enhance Veolia’s approach to public-private partnerships, the company adds, providing essential environmental security in the face of unprecedented environmental threats.

“After 38 years in public service and as an ‘owner’ of water agencies, joining the Veolia team allows me to share my experience with a focus on customer service excellence while also advocating for our clients with full appreciation and understanding of their goals, priorities and needs,” Korban says.

Prior to his leadership at SWBNO, Korban served the city of Milwaukee for 31 years, including eight years as director of its Department of Public Works.

“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to bring Ghassan onto the Veolia team. His work in New Orleans and Milwaukee speaks for itself, and through those partnerships, we are in a unique position to appreciate his experience and brilliance,” says Joe Tackett, Veolia’s CEO of municipal water contract operations in North America.

MWM Environmental, Collective Waste Solutions appoint new CEO

MWM Environmental, based in Souris, Manitoba, and Collective Waste Solutions, Calgary, Alberta, which merged last November, have appointed Ahmed Taha as CEO, effective immediately.

Taha joins the organization with more than 25 years of experience in the environmental services industry. Throughout his career, the companies say, he has built a strong reputation for leading with integrity, driving operational improvements and building teams that deliver results. Most recently, Taha served as regional vice president, western Canada, at GFL Environmental, Vaughan, Ontario, where he played a key role in strengthening operations and growing the business across multiple markets and service offerings.

“Ahmed brings deep industry knowledge and a grounded leadership style that aligns with our values and vision,” says Frank Reppenhagen, board chairman. “His experience and people-focused approach make him the right person to lead us into this exciting next chapter.”

As CEO, Taha will guide the overall strategy, operations and integration of both organizations, building on the momentum of recent milestones, most notably the merger of MWM and Collective and the asset acquisition of a Calgary-based waste services company earlier this year.

“I’m truly honored to be stepping into this role,” Taha says of joining the companies. “MWM and Collective have a strong foundation built by passionate people who care about their work and the communities they serve. I look forward to collaborating with this talented team to continue growing the business, supporting our customers and delivering sustainable waste solutions that make a difference.”

As part of this leadership transition, Jim MacPherson, former CEO of Collective Waste Solutions, will move into the role of vice president, business development, where he will focus on building strategic partnerships, expanding into new markets and strengthening client relationships. MacPherson also continues to serve on the companies’ board of directors, contributing in the areas of long-term strategy and organizational vision.

MWM Environmental has provided municipal waste and recycling services across southern Manitoba for years, with a focus on dependable service and strong local relationships in the province’s rural and urban communities.

Collective Waste Solutions is a growing provider of municipal, commercial and industrial waste collection. Operating in markets such as Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray, Collective is known for its reliability, customer-first service and commitment to operational excellence.

Both MWM and Collective say they remain committed to investing in people, supporting local communities and delivering services that reflect the companies’ shared values of accountability, sustainability and service excellence.

USCC announces changes to board of directors

The U.S. Composting Council (USCC), Raleigh, North Carolina, has announced that Ryan Cerrato is filling a compost producer seat on the USCC board of directors. The seat was vacated by Michael Martinez, who became an affiliate member when he shifted from his role at compost producer LA Compost to a position at the 11th Hour Project.

Martinez moved over to occupy the affiliate seat of Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli of WA+TS, who has served on the USCC board since she was first elected in 2021 and recently resigned to focus on her startup business.

As a result of the vacated compost manufacturer seat, the board of directors has appointed Cerrato to serve out the remaining term. Cerrato currently serves as the senior vice president of product sales for Denali, where he oversees its national bulk product sales program, including compost, mulch and soils.

Cerrato has been in the bulk product business since 2014 and has spent most of his career with Denali, which acquired WeCare Organics in 2016.

Cerrato is responsible for the development and deployment of marketing strategy, sales plans and management activities as they pertain to Denali’s many branded bulk products across the U.S. Cerrato also sits on the Professional Development Committee for USCC and was a founding board member of the New Jersey Composting Council.

Cerrato ran for a board seat in the last election and received the next highest number of compost producer votes. While he did not earn a seat at the time, USCC board policy allowed him to be eligible for the position.

“We are pleased to have Cerrato’s expertise on the board and look forward to welcoming him to fill Michael’s term,” says USCC board President Jennifer Trent.

Along with welcoming Cerrato, USCC offered thanks to Danberg-Ficarelli for her time, service and leadership with the organization. Danberg-Ficarelli has been involved with the USCC since 2018 and was the winner of the inaugural Emerging Composter Challenge.

In addition to her term on the board, she has served on the Finance Committee, the Compost for All Committee and the Young Professionals Committee.