Speakers

Question and answer session with solid waste experts from across Montana. 

Jacki Pierson - City of Helena 

Jim Simon - Gallatin Solid Waste 

Question and answer session with recycling experts from across Montana.

Chloe Wasteneys - Delaware North in Yellowstone Park 

Kristen Blackler - Bridger Bowl 

Ted Geilen - Recycling Works 

Sam Lubbers - Republic Services 

Jacki Pierson is the landfill supervisor for the City of Helena. She is a featured speaker on the solid waste panel. 

Renewable Diesel for Solid Waste Fleets: Performance, Costs, and Real-World Results  

This presentation will provide an overview of renewable diesel as an immediately available, superior drop-in replacement for conventional diesel fuel. As an ASTM-certified fuel, renewable diesel meets the same fuel quality standards as conventional diesel while offering enhanced performance and emissions benefits. Topics will include how and where renewable diesel is produced and how it differs from both conventional petroleum diesel and biodiesel.
The session will review the operational benefits of renewable diesel, including its high cetane rating, emissions reductions, and the potential for significant reductions in diesel particulate filter (DPF) regenerations and maintenance. We'll also discuss cold-weather performance, engine compatibility, cost considerations, fuel availability, and real-world fleet experiences.
Finally, the presentation will highlight case studies from municipalities and other fleets across the United States that have successfully adopted renewable diesel, providing practical lessons learned for organizations considering the fuel.

Jesse has always been passionate about renewable fuels and environmental chemistry. After completing an undergraduate degree at Lake Superior State University in Michigan, he went on to complete a graduate degree in Biochemistry at Montana State University with a dissertation entitled “Insights into key barriers in the implementation of renewable biofuel technologies“. After graduating, he became the director and process engineer at Full Circle Biofuels, a new startup Biofuel company in Bozeman, MT. It was around this time in 2015-2016 that Jesse began interacting with what was then the Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition through his efforts to help infuse biodiesel into our region. More recently, he helped facilitate a copule solar array installations coupled with EV charging stations in Bozeman. He has been an EV owner for years and continues to advocate for renewable energy in our area.

Tony works for Evident Scientific as a Technical Sales Representative for XRF and RVI products. His XRF training will cover XRF Theory, Radiation Safety, and Common XRF Applications.  The second day will cover XRF certification with some hands-on training.

Leea manages and monitors everything environmental for the City of Helena. Her presentation is called "Beyond the Acronym, PFAS: the Good, the Bad, and the Data". 

It will cover:
•    A simple overview of what PFAS are. 
•    Where they came from and their uses. 
•    Potential health impacts. 
•    Potential routes of exposure.
•    Current regulations and the regulatory future. 
•    Management and treatment. 
•    Impacts on the local level. 

This session provides a practical overview of stormwater management at Montana landfill facilities under the 2022 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for Industrial Activity. Attendees will learn how regulatory requirements translate into day-to-day operations, including identifying pollutant sources, implementing effective best management practices (BMPs), and maintaining compliance through inspections, monitoring, and documentation. Using real-world landfill examples, the presentation walks through the “who, what, where, when, and why” of stormwater management, offering clear, field-applicable guidance for operators, supervisors, and compliance staff responsible for protecting water quality and meeting MPDES permit obligations.

"Global Perspective on Landfill Operations”. A global perspective on how landfill operations have evolved into highly business-driven and compaction-focused programs. Olli will share insights on how forward-thinking sites around the world are maximizing airspace, leveraging the right equipment, and integrating advanced strategies for landfilling, recycling, and diversion.

"Solving Scale House Pain Points - What to look for in Cloud-based Software."  

Peter's presentation will cover currently available composting technologies alongside practical strategies for implementing these systems across regional, municipal, and community levels. The discussion will highlight how these scalable solutions optimize current infrastructure, reduce long-term management costs, and keep valuable resources within local communities. 

As an Operations Supervisor for Republic Services recycling facility, Sam oversees the day-to-day operations to ensure the site runs safely, efficiently, and meets performance goals. He works with his team to maximize recycling recovery, provide excellent customer service, and keep materials moving to market. He also focuses on building a strong team, improving processes, and supporting sustainability efforts that benefit his community.

Sam will be one of the speakers during the recycling panel. 

"Urban Chickens: Diverting Food Waste, One Flock at a Time"
In 2024, the City of Helena was awarded a USDA grant for Compost and Food Waste Reduction Pilot Projects to develop and test municipal food waste solutions. Having successfully launched strategies for commercial sectors, the second phase of this pilot project turned its focus directly to residential communities - and some unexpected, feathered allies.
This session explores how urban chickens can play a vital role in localized, residential food waste management. Join us to discover how backyard flocks can divert organic waste from landfills, foster resilient neighborhood food systems, and the lessons learned along the way.
 

Heritage Timber has deconstructed over 400 buildings since 1994, diverting millions of pounds of materials from the landfill. Gary will share tales and trials of 32 years of deconstructing small buildings to structures over 45,000 square feet in size. He will also talk about how these materials then head to contractors, homeowners, artists, businesses and others in creative, inspiring ways. With thousands of clients over the years using reclaimed historic, vintage, cool looking or simply cheap and reusable materials, whole other industries have been born. 

Gary Delp owns Heritage Timber with his partner and has been deconstructing buildings and selling reclaimed materials across the west since 1994. He has dismantled over 400 buildings, from small jobs that include interior demolition of residential and commercial spaces, to full-building deconstruction of homes and industrial facilities up to 50,000 square feet.  He has a passion for preserving historically significant, beautiful, or simply usable materials and keeping as much material out of the landfill as possible. Gary is a kind soul with deeply calloused hands.

Presentation overview coming shortly! 

Bear Country Essentials: Safety Practices and Waste Management for Conservation

In this presentation we'll cover the basics of bears in Montana, safety in bear country, and how waste management plays an extremely important role in human safety and bear conservation efforts. Learn about the tools used to reduce human-bear conflicts, applicable both at home and in your workplace.