The Beginning
Dave Carroll and John Shea, 1975
In 1997, childhood friends Dave Carroll and John Shea formed a business partnership in the solid waste industry that developed from years of literally “growing up” in the business.
Not only did John and Dave grow up living across the street from each other as kids, each of their families owned and operated solid waste collection, recycling and landfill companies. Each spent their school summers working in various aspects of these family enterprises. The result of this experience and friendship was invaluable, as they developed an appreciation for every job in the industry and mutual respect for one another.
Upon graduation from college, Dave and John assumed managerial roles in the industry, but their ultimate goal was to build their own business. In 1997, they got that opportunity and have been growing their business ever since.
A Brother and Childhood Friend Become Partners
As Dave and John’s business grew, their need for more talented individuals grew. They had to find people they could trust and respect. The individuals had to have a good understanding of the industry and the people that worked in the industry.
Damon Shea initially pursued success in the accounting field before returning to the solid waste industry, which he had learned so well growing up. Damon was the best choice to join his brother in growing and managing his businesses in Nevada. Nevada was a familiar place to Damon since he attended college at the University of Nevada, Reno while earning All-American honors in football. His involvement has proven critical to the ongoing success in Nevada.
When Dave and John decided to expand into California, they acquired a company that was operated by Bruce McCracken. Over 30 years earlier, Bruce was a childhood friend and neighbor to Dave, John and Damon. Bruce began his career in the solid waste industry during his high school summer vacations. He began full-time work as a route collector shortly after graduation. Within two years, he was promoted to a managerial position. Since then, Bruce has participated in every aspect of the business and gained invaluable experience. He now leads the California operations.
It is rare to find four individuals that have known each other since childhood, lived on the same street growing up, followed separate but similar paths, and ultimately ended up together. Dave, John, Damon and Bruce have formed a partnership that is based on long-standing trust and friendship, tremendous respect, and admiration for one another. They consider each other and their employees as family members. The operators and employees of C&S Waste Solutions live and work in the communities they serve and place high value on the trust placed in them by customers. Since they know the areas and market they serve, they are able to customize waste solutions for each area’s specific and unique needs. Superior customer service, a commitment to their employees and to the communities they serve are their highest priorities.
Philosophy
Dave, John, Damon and Bruce have seen tremendous changes in solid waste management during their lifetime of involvement in the industry. When they started their company, they realized that even more changes would be necessary if the environmental challenges were to be met and solved. They embraced innovation, new technology, flexibility, and “pushing the envelope” as an integral part of their business. These are the pathways to make environmental sustainability an everyday occurrence for the people and communities served by C&S Waste Solutions.
A Plan for the Future
With the continued increase in capital requirements and ever-changing regulatory environment, partnering with a strong company became necessary. With that in mind, C&S has merged with Waste Connections. Our name will not change, but our depth and capabilities will. Waste Connections and its subsidiaries have been providing municipal solid waste and recycling collection, disposal, and processing services in the United States since 1997, and in Nevada and California since 1998.
Waste Connections has a proven commitment to staying local. Not only will C&S now have abundant resources to draw from when needed, we will be able to operate in the same way: same local Company, same local offices, same local CSR’s, same local operations personnel, and same local management. Waste Connections ownership provides everything necessary to ensure the continued strength and success of both C&S Waste Solutions and the communities we are proud to continue to serve.