Complete Turnaround of Guam Solid Waste System Achieved as GBB’s Receivership
Partially Ends

GBB’s 11-year federal receivership over Guam’s solid waste and disposal services partially ended on April 30, 2019 per a court order issued by Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood of the United States District Court of Guam. Administrative and managerial responsibilities over the Guam Solid Waste Authority’s day-to-day operations were returned to the Government of Guam while GBB continues its work to complete establishing the post-closure oversight for the Ordot Dump.

In March 2008, the Chief Judge issued a court order appointing GBB as Receiver to achieve what the Government of Guam was unsuccessful in reaching during the previous 22 years – compliance with the Clean Water Act through compliance with the 2004 Consent Decree. When the Judge tasked GBB with implementing the Consent Decree, it required a 180-degree turnaround of a completely dysfunctional solid waste management system while closing a dump that had been open for nearly 70 years. The Consent Decree, signed between the Government of Guam and the United States Environmental Protection Agency on February 11, 2004, ordered the Government of Guam to close the Ordot Dump, cease all discharges into the Lonfit River, open a new municipal solid waste landfill facility, and develop and implement recycling and hazardous waste strategies to reduce the volume of materials going into the landfill.

Inheriting a solid waste management system plagued by serious operational, financial, and administrative problems; known and unknown environmental issues; and decrepit facilities, GBB assembled a multi-disciplinary team of solid waste, procurement, landfill engineering, financial, and communication experts to develop a turnaround plan and present to the Court a roadmap to accomplish the Consent Decree projects and reform Guam’s solid waste management system.

Working with GovGuam, the U.S. military bases, private waste haulers, and other stakeholders in Guam, GBB has closed the Ordot Dump, opened a new sanitary landfill, implemented cart-based waste and recycling services, bulk waste collection services, opened a new household hazardous waste facility and upgraded Guam’s residential transfer stations, in full compliance with the requirements of the Consent Decree. This has been accomplished under the guidance of the Court and in consultation with the U.S. EPA and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency.

Detailed information about the Guam Receivership and the turnaround of the island’s solid waste management system can be found at:

• Overview of the Guam Solid Waste Management Receivership
  (PowerPoint presented to the U.S. District Court of Guam on March 6, 2019)
• From 0 to 180: Transforming Guam’s Solid Waste Management System from the Ground Up
  (Article by Chris Lund, GBB Senior Vice President, published in WasteAdvantage magazine in June 2015)

Harvey Gershman Featured as Lawrence Lecturer Keynote Speaker at WASTECON

As the 2019 Lawrence Lecture Award winner, GBB Founder Owner Associate & Co-Founder Harvey Gershman will be part of the line-up of keynote speakers at the upcoming WASTECON, in Phoenix, AZ.

This year, as part of its Pathway to Innovation theme, WASTECON’s group of keynote speakers will include a diverse mix of renowned industry leaders and inspiring and visionary voices with new, off-the-path, ideas. As an adviser to the industry with over 40 years of experience, Harvey has aided long-term strategic planning and implementation for numerous solid waste management, recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy projects in the U.S. and around the world.

As part of his keynote address, he will provide his firsthand take into the evolution of solid waste

management since the ‘70s; lessons learned along the way; insight into key projects that have resulted in sustainable, efficient integrated waste management systems and accepted by their communities and leadership; and words of wisdom along with some interesting anecdotes based on his extensive industry experience!

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)’s Lawrence Lecturer award is presented annually to an individual recognized as a leader and expert with a substantial, significant, and sustained contribution to the field of solid waste management / environmental protection.

With a passion for the environment that stems from the first Earth Day, in 1970, Harvey has dedicated his whole career to the field of solid waste management as an adviser to government and industry, specializing in strategic guidance and infrastructure/services development assistance to solid waste service/system managers and owners.

More importantly, as a thought leader, he has always made it a priority to share ideas and lessons learned with his peers in the industry to advance the cause he is passionate about: innovative, sustainable solutions for solid waste management. He also put a premium on mentoring and empowering young professionals in the industry, instilling in them his work ethic and passion.

Remembering David Manning

David Manning, a long-time friend, public servant, and colleague, died on August 4, 2019. David and GBB have had 20-year relationship. He was first our client in Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County where he guided the re-engineering of the solid waste management system there including implementing the Curby recycling program, redeveloping the district energy system, which serves so many major downtown public and private facilities, and lowering the overall cost of its solid waste disposal. After leaving Metro Nashville government, David served as GBB’s Representative when we were fortunate to be selected to be the Receiver for Government of Guam’s solid waste system appointed by the Federal District Court Chief Judge. With David’s leadership and financial acumen at the helm, we accomplished great things in both Nashville and Guam.

Professionally, David had a work ethic that was second to none, with an impressive depth of knowledge, and the ability to keep things simple, even in complicated situations or when facing complex challenges. Multiple articles commemorating his service to the citizens of Nashville and Guam capture the breadth and importance of his long-lasting accomplishments.

More importantly though, is that he was kind, respectful, a good listener and a gentleman. He was always striving to do the right thing. He will be missed – GBB’s thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

May David Rest in Peace knowing so many jobs were so well done. Thank you, David.

Sustainability Leader Jennifer Porter Promoted to GBB Vice President

A sustainable development leader who joined GBB in 2017 as a Senior Project Manager, Jennifer Porter was promoted to GBB Vice President early this summer. She has more than 17 years of experience on sustainability initiatives for both governments and the private sector, with expertise in solid waste management, recycling, and composting program evaluation and development.

At GBB, she has managed multiple key projects including leading the team tasked with planning and implementing the development of a circular economy Sustainable Business Park with an ambitious goal to achieve 90% waste reduction by 2030, in Kent County, MI. She led the strategic review of solid waste management services, contracts, and service providers for the City of Taunton, MA and is now heading the procurement efforts for waste collection and processing services. She was also Project Manager for public-sector assignments in Deschutes County, OR; the Chittenden Solid Waste District, VT; the City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge, LA; Charles County, MD; and the City of Columbus, OH. Additionally, she led a comprehensive waste audit/assessment at Logan Airport as part of a Sustainability Plan Implementation for the Massachusetts Port Authority.

Early in her career, Jennifer was Conservation Program Coordinator for more than 6 years with the City of Portland’s (Oregon) Office of Sustainable Development.

Over the summer, in an interview with Waste360, she discussed her career and new role, the industry in general, and the key to an effective sustainability plan. Based in the Catskills, New York, she can be reached at jporter@gbbinc.com or (347) 979-4992.

Two Young Professionals Join GBB

An important part of GBB’s corporate culture is to offer opportunities to the next generation of individuals with a passion for sustainable development and the environment. Since 1980, dozens of young men and women who joined GBB have been mentored and empowered to pursue their passion. They have grown with GBB and many, with the valuable experience acquired, are now key members of the industry, contributing to the advancement of sound waste management programs, either in the private or public sector.

As such, two young professionals joined GBB’s solid waste management consulting team over the summer:

Eric Garvey – Project Engineer I

Mr. Garvey is a Process Engineer with 4 years of experience in project management, data analysis, process control, and training implementation. Prior to joining GBB, he was Manufacturing Process Engineer/Manufacturing Supervisor at the Life Sciences division of Corning Incorporated. At GBB, he provides technical/engineering assistance and project/task management for assignments that include solid waste management system evaluations, equipment/facilities reviews, design development, cost projections, feasibility studies, and material characterizations.

Based out of GBB’s headquarters in McLean, VA, he can be reached at egarvey@gbbinc.com and (703) 573-5800.

Ricky Phillips - Intern / Consultant I

Ms. Phillips recently graduated with a Master of Science degree in Sustainable Communities from Binghamton University, in upstate New York. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from the State University of New York at Potsdam. Her professional experience includes working for over 2 years as a Community Schools Graduate Assistant at Binghamton University’s Center for Civic Engagement; and committing to 18 months of full-time service as AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Coordinator at Sharing the Harvest, a nonprofit, volunteer-driven community farm whose mission is to alleviate hunger, promote volunteerism, and provide agricultural education on the south coast of Massachusetts. After interning for the summer, she became a Consultant I.

Also based out of GBB’s headquarters, she can be reached at rphillips@gbbinc.com and (703) 573-5800.

SWANA Quad State Conference Golf Outing

SWANA’s Quad State Conference was held in late August in beautiful Asheville, NC, with industry professionals from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. While allowing to learn the latest about recycling and solid waste management, industry conferences are also great opportunities to network, meet and greet industry peers, and foster friendships!

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