It's almost your turn to help us pick your 2025 Board Leaders!Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination and had a conversation with a member. Your encouragement is what helps us put some of the best leaders in Colorado waste diversion on our board. We have 9 candidates who are ready to meet you at the Annual Meeting and step up to lead Recycle Colorado over the next few years. Get to know who is running by reading their bios and watching their introduction videos linked below. Board Candidate Introduction VideosBoard Candidates
Melissa Kirr has spent the past 20 years working in the non-profit sector, specifically the environmental and sustainability realms. As Senior Director of Sustainability at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon, CO, she works at a local, regional, and global level on various sustainability initiatives that include Energy, Climate Action, Sustainable Business Training and Certification, Waste Diversion and Zero Waste programs, and Mountain IDEAL Sustainable Destinations. Melissa passion lies within the realm of Materials Management & Circularity. She is currently a Vice President of the Board for Recycle Colorado, Board Chair Emeritus of Cloud City Conservation Center. She served on the CDPHE’s Pollution Prevention Advisory Board (‘20-’24) and Assistance Committee (‘16-’20). She holds degrees in Forest Resource Management from Pennsylvania State University and the University of Montana. Melissa lives in Leadville, CO with her husband and two daughters.
Emma Marino is a Sustainability and Water Conservation Specialist with the Town of Erie. She grew up near a nature center outside of Cincinnati, OH and her experiences there as a child set her on a path rooted in environmental education, outreach, and meaningful communication. She received a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Sustainability, and Society from Xavier University, then moved to Colorado where she graduated from the Masters of the Environment program at the University of Colorado Boulder with a specialization in Urban Resilience and Sustainability. Since joining the team with the Town of Erie, Emma has revitalized their Zero Waste Champions volunteer program, supported staff and residents in their waste diversion and water conservation endeavors, and is currently spearheading a communitywide waste hauling effort for the Town. She further engages the community of Erie by answering waste related questions, sharing monthly compost data from Town facilities, connecting with folks at events, and processing many a rebate. When she's not at work, Emma will still find herself sorting through recycle bins, and enjoys teaching and practicing yoga, reading a thriller, and sipping coffee with her two cats.
Celene Peck-Andreano is the Business Manager for Glass to Glass, Denver. She was born in Sacramento, California and grew up exploring its forests and beaches, developing her love of the outdoors. She later moved to Southern Florida and attended Florida Atlantic University, where her research on climate change became the foundation for her interests in social and environmental studies. In 2017, Celene, her husband, and four children, moved to Colorado to open a family-owned restaurant, prioritizing sustainable best practices and providing outreach to staff and the local community on the importance of recycling, reuse, and diversion. The pandemic ended this beautiful chapter but gave Celene the confidence and direction to continue making an environmental difference building relationships for a more equitable and sustainable future for Colorado's communities. Celene's current focus is on increasing glass recycling rates and diverting glass away from Colorado's landfills. Her professional goals are to continue her education in social and environmental policy while fulfilling her personal goal of exploring the Colorado outdoors.
Jennifer Richardson is the Solid Waste and Sustainability Division Director for Mesa County. She is responsible for the management and leadership of Mesa County’s complex solid waste management system, including strategic planning, development, and implementation of existing and new programs at the Solid Waste Management Campus. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Mesa State College and her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Environmental Policy from the University of Denver. She is a certified Wetland Scientist, Stormwater Management Supervisor, Integrated Solid Waste Manager, and Manager of Landfill Operations. Jennifer prides herself on being a community resource and values collaborating with diverse public and private partners. She enjoys educating the community on proper solid waste disposal and waste diversion. She understands that the decisions made by the Recycle Colorado Board potentially affect the environmental health and welfare of Colorado, and she aims to ensure Recycle Colorado remains an active and effective voice for sustainable waste management practices throughout the state.
Bill is the Assistant Director at the Summit County Resource Allocation Park (SCRAP), where he oversees recycling and composting programs, as well as landfill operations. Bill is passionate about waste diversion and creating circular economies in Colorado. He is an active member of Summit County’s Zero Waste Task Force and served on the state of Colorado’s Pollution Prevention Advisory Board Assistance Committee for 7 years. Bill is a Colorado native from Colorado Springs and holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Colorado State University. He enjoys spending time with his family, mountain biking and downhill skiing.
Nick Wilson is a highly adaptable professional with extensive experience in the solid waste sector and the energy sectors. A Texas native, he grew up on horse farms in both Texas and California, fostering a deep appreciation for hard work and a strong connection to the outdoors. His ties to Colorado and Wyoming run deep, with family roots tracing back to the late 1800s in Denver. His parents attended Colorado State University, and his grandmother is an alumna of the University of Colorado and East Colfax High School. Nick’s passion for the outdoors was shaped by family trips to Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains, and his early experiences on horse farms instilled a hands-on work ethic that has been foundational to his career. After serving in the military and completing his university education, Nick initially worked in the sports industry before transitioning to the waste and energy sectors, where he excelled in operations and business development roles across Colorado, Wyoming, and North Dakota. In 2002, recognizing the need for enhanced waste management infrastructure in Colorado, Nick founded West Highland Management Group. His visionary leadership and dedication to sustainability have been key to the company’s growth and success. Nick moved to Colorado in 2010, attracted by the state’s dynamic community, career opportunities, and favorable climate. It was here that he met his wife, and they now reside in Fort Collins with their two children, along with their two dogs, two cats, multiple fish, and semi-domesticated squirrels and racoons. Beyond his professional achievements, Nick is deeply committed to community service. He actively supports organizations such as Keep America Beautiful, Recycle Colorado, and USO Colorado. His dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement reflects his desire to make a lasting, positive impact. In summary, Nick Wilson is a successful entrepreneur, industry leader, devoted family man, and passionate community advocate. His journey from a rural horse farm to leadership roles in waste management demonstrates his resilience, versatility, and commitment to driving meaningful change. |
Melissa Kirr
Emma Marino
Celene Peck-Andreano
Jennifer Richardson
Bill Schenk
Nick Wilson