Ohio University has filled the position of recycling and refuse manager after a six-month vacancy.
Andrew Ladd, who graduated in 1993 from OU with a Bachelor of Science in environmental geography, has been hired by the university as the new manager to replace Ed Newman, who retired in June 2012.
“I'm very excited to be back at Ohio University and it does feel like coming home," Ladd said in a conference call. “I want to build upon the successes of OU.”
Ladd, who worked as an environmental food specialist and local products purveyor at Whole Foods Market Inc., began his job at OU Jan. 7. Ladd’s salary is $47,000.
"We're very excited to have him with us and see what he will bring to this position," said Harry Wyatt, associate vice president of the Facilities.
Steve Mack, chair of the hiring committee and director of Facilities Management, said there were about 20 applicants throughout the nation, resulting in three finalists, two of whom were from out of state.
“Andrew has held a variety of positions and he had some extensive experience with Whole Foods and was involved in sustainability efforts in their region,” Mack said.
Ladd said he is looking forward to working with Culinary Services, the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District, and continuing past successes with RecycleMania.
RecycleMania is a recycling competition co-created by Newman in which 630 schools from throughout North America, including OU, compete to increase student awareness of campus recycling and waste minimization. The competition will kick off again on Feb. 3.
“I think one of the things Andrew is focused on is building upon the legacy and the things Ed has created,” Mack said. “Ed was an incredible advocate for recycling and for sustainability. I don’t think Andrew is going to attempt to fill his shoes; he is going to come in and build upon the legacy that Ed has created and make us even better and take us to newer areas and levels.”
Newman, whose 2011–2012 salary was $55,381, was the only person to hold the title of recycling and refuse manager at the university until Ladd was hired. Mack said Ladd is one of the first student employees that Facilities had in the Refuse and Recycling Department.
bc822010@ohiou.edu
