Waste Management, Houston, announced March 15 that Sean Menke, president and CEO of Sabre Corp., and Maryrose Sylvester, former U.S. managing director and U.S. head of electrification for ABB Ltd., have been elected to its board of directors, effective immediately.
“Following a robust process to identify and add talented leaders to Waste Management’s board of directors, we are excited to welcome Maryrose and Sean, whose extensive leadership skills and diverse backgrounds will complement our existing board members,” Waste Management chairman Thomas Weidemeyer says.
According to the company, Menke is “a proven transformation leader, using his extensive experience in technology and transportation operations to bring together strategy and data to address complex issues.”
Since the end of 2016, he has served as president and CEO, as well as been a member on the board of directors of the Southlake, Texas-based Sabre Corp., a global software and technology company that powers the travel industry. Before joining Sabre, Menke spent more than 20 years in executive leadership roles in the airline industry, including at Hawaiian Airlines, Pinnacle Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Air Canada. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and aviation management from Ohio State University and an MBA from the University of Denver.
Sylvester, according to Waste Management, is “a strategic, growth-oriented leader who is passionate about technology, innovation and automation.”
Most recently, she served as U.S. managing director and U.S. head of electrification for ABB Group. ABB Group is a Zurich-based global technology company, operating mainly in areas of electrification, robotics, power and automation. Prior to joining ABB Group, Sylvester spent more than 30 years at GE, serving most recently as president and CEO of Current, a digital power service business that delivers integrated energy systems. She also serves on the board of directors of Harley-Davidson Inc. She holds an undergraduate degree in procurement and production management from Bowling Green State University and an MBA from Cleveland State University.
“Both Maryrose and Sean bring a broad range of experience and deep subject matter expertise that will help Waste Management continue to improve and differentiate our services, innovate and grow,” Waste Management President and CEO Jim Fish says. “Their knowledge of logistics, technology and sustainability will be valuable to our senior leadership team. We look forward to working with them as they join our diverse board.”
Menke will serve on the board’s Audit Committee and Sylvester will serve on the Management Development and Compensation Committee. These elections expand Waste Management’s board of directors to 10 members, nine of whom are independent directors.
