Personnel

Wastequip appoints EVP, president of trucks

Wastequip of Charlotte, North Carolina, has appointed John Defenbaugh to the role of executive vice president and president of trucks, expanding his leadership to oversee the company’s truck brands, Amrep, Galbreath and Foster Hydraulics.

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), based in Arlington, Virginia, honored Defenbaugh as its 2025 Supplier Member of the Year this January.

“John has earned the trust of this industry by showing up, doing the work and leading with purpose,” Wastequip CEO Marty Bryant says. “Being recognized by NWRA at the same time he steps into broader responsibilities across our truck division speaks to the role he plays not just within Wastequip but across the industry.”

Each year, one individual is recognized as the NWRA Supplier Member of the Year, an award that honors a person who demonstrates exceptional leadership and service in advancing the waste and recycling industry.

Defenbaugh was recognized for his longstanding dedication and service on the Supplier Board of Governors, where he has helped support the succession planning process, onboard new members and develop the direction of WasteExpo and the Waste Summit, NWRA says.

“This award is truly meaningful, and I appreciate the support of my peers across the industry,” Defenbaugh says. “I am excited to take on broader responsibility within Wastequip and to work with our teams to deliver solutions that make a difference for our customers.”

Defenbaugh, who previously served as the company’s chief commercial officer, provides strategic oversight for Amrep, Galbreath and Foster Hydraulics in his new role.

By taking on this role, Wastequip says he reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering solutions to customers while supporting growth across the waste, recycling and trucking industries.

NWRA appoints senior VP of administration and events

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) of Arlington, Virginia, has named LaWanda Washington to the position of senior vice president of administration and events, recognizing her nearly three decades of NWRA leadership. 

Washington joined the organization in 1998. In her expanded role, she continues to oversee administration, internal operations and information technology while also taking on strategic leadership of NWRA’s meetings, events and operational execution across the entire association. 

“LaWanda’s promotion reflects not only her exceptional institutional knowledge but also her unwavering commitment to the success of this organization and its members,” NWRA Chairman Don Ross says. “She is a trusted leader, a problem-solver and a steady force behind the scenes. NWRA is stronger because of her.” 

BioTown Biogas appoints CEO

BioTown Biogas, a renewable energy firm based in Reynolds, Indiana, has appointed Christopher J. Pino as CEO. BioTown, a portfolio company of Green Rock Energy Partners, converts livestock waste into renewable, carbon-negative natural gas and power.

“It is a privilege to have Chris lead our team,” BioTown Ag. Inc. President Brian Furrer says. “We are excited about the expertise he brings and are looking forward to the opportunities he can develop.”

Pino spent nearly 15 years at South Jersey Industries (SJI), an energy infrastructure holding company headquartered in Folsom, New Jersey. He served in various roles in his career with SJI, most recently as vice president of strategy and development, and as a board member of New York-based Catamaran Renewables, a joint venture between SJI and renewable operator Captona, New York.

“Chris’ deep industry knowledge, decades of experience and growth-oriented vision made him the clear-cut favorite to serve as BioTown’s next CEO,” says Martin Mitchell, a managing partner at Green Rock Energy Partners.

“Chris knows what it takes to not just grow renewable energy firms but ensure firms find new, innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint,” Mitchell adds. “We are thrilled to have Chris lead the firm into its next chapter.”

Pino attended Villanova University near Philadelphia and earned a master’s in business administration from Saint Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania.

“My career has centered around growing businesses that are advancing renewable energy solutions, so joining BioTown as CEO is a perfect fit and an opportunity to be a part of a company pioneering truly groundbreaking technologies,” Pino says. “I look forward to leading BioTown as it continues to scale its renewable initiatives, unlocking multiple value streams from agricultural waste and delivering market-driven clean energy solutions.”

Montrose Environmental Group appoints chief operating officer

Environmental solutions firm Montrose Environmental Group Inc. of Little Rock, Arkansas, has named James Laws its chief operating officer (COO).

Laws has 25 years of experience leading teams in the environmental industry and a proven ability to manage complex, multidisciplinary businesses, according to Montrose Environmental.

Prior to joining the company, Laws spent nearly a decade at Dallas-based Aecom, most recently as senior vice president, with responsibilities across environmental remediation, environmental health and safety, permitting and planning, air quality and large-scale federal programs.

In the role of COO at Montrose, Laws will oversee all business line operations across the company and enhance organizational efficiency.

He will report directly to Director and CEO Vijay Manthripragada.