Personnel

Casella Waste to promote president to CEO

Casella Waste Systems Inc. has announced that CEO John W. Casella will transition from CEO to the executive chairman position effective Jan. 1, 2026, and President Edmond R. “Ned” Coletta will succeed him as CEO and join the board as a Class II director.

Coletta joined Casella in 2004 and was promoted to chief financial officer in 2012 and to president in 2023.

“I am honored to lead the Casella team as we continue to innovate and deliver sustainable resource management solutions that benefit our customers, communities and the environment,” Coletta says.

In his role as executive chairman, John W. Casella will continue to serve as board chair and, in collaboration with Coletta, will support the company’s strategic development, stakeholder engagement and organizational culture.

“It has been my privilege to lead this company and witness its evolution into an industry leader committed to sustainability and innovation,” John W. Casella says. “I have great confidence in Ned and the executive leadership team to build on our legacy of delivering exceptional service and sustainable solutions.”

Coletta holds an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and a bachelor’s degree from Brown University.

Joe Doody, a member of the Casella board of directors, says, “John’s strategic vision and unwavering commitment have shaped Casella’s trajectory and positioned us strongly for the future. Ned’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make him exceptionally qualified to lead Casella into its next chapter of growth and success.”

VLS Environmental Solutions appoints new national rail solutions sales director

VLS Environmental Solutions, a Texas-based company focused on sustainability-driven waste, railcar cleaning and repair solutions, has named Michael Obertop its new national rail solutions sales director.

VLS says Obertop brings more than two decades of experience in the rail sector, holding prominent roles at companies such as Carboline, Cathcart Rail and GBW Railcar Services. Throughout his career, Obertop has earned a reputation for driving growth, optimizing operations and delivering solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the rail industry.

VLS says his arrival comes at a “pivotal moment” for its rail division, which has experienced significant expansion driven by investments in advanced technologies and service capabilities. Most recently, VLS marked a milestone with the launch of its railcar cleaning rack in Victoria, Texas, enabling efficient and environmentally responsible service for clients with challenging cleaning requirements, according to the company. 

“Michael’s robust industry expertise and proven leadership make him a tremendous asset to VLS,” says David Carter, executive vice president of railcar services at VLS. “His ability to anticipate client needs and deliver impactful solutions aligns perfectly with our mission of providing innovative and environmentally responsible services.”

At Cathcart Rail, VLS says Obertop led strategic initiatives as senior vice president of sales and marketing, driving significant growth in service delivery and building strong client relationships.

“I’m thrilled to join VLS and bring my experience in driving growth and building lasting client partnerships to this incredible team,” Obertop says.

GreenWaste appoints CEO

GreenWaste, a San Jose, California-based full-service resource recovery and recycling company, has announced Clete Elms as the company’s new CEO.

Elms joined GreenWaste in 2024 as chief operating officer and served as interim CEO since March 2025, driving revenue growth, operating profitability, safety and sustainability initiatives.

After 18 years, previous CEO Tracy Adams stepped down earlier this year and will serve as a member of GreenWaste’s board of directors. During his tenure at GreenWaste, Adams strengthened the company’s commitment to recycling in Northern California and led stewardship of the business throughout the 2021 transition to the Macquarie portfolio.

“From investments in cutting-edge technology to world-class resource recovery operations, GreenWaste has been a leader in the waste industry for 40 years,” Elms says. “I am honored to formally step into this role and work with GreenWaste’s outstanding team and partners to deliver excellence to our customers. We will continue to invest in our people, optimize our assets and pioneer new sustainable waste management solutions.”