Speakers

Resiliance at Work: Helping People Rise from Setback to Comeback

Ryan Botner’s story is about going from high sales success without fulfillment to building a life centered on intentional living, purpose, and service. After achieving strong results in business, he realized success alone wasn’t meaningful without alignment and purpose. He shifted his focus to mindset, accountability, and intentional action, inspired by a service-first approach (“Givers Gain”). Today, he helps others improve performance through structured systems and intentional habits.

Ryan's talk will focus on the four characteristics of top performers, how to eliminate distractions, and how to turn pain into power.

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

Jacki Pierson - City of Helena 

Jim Simon - Gallatin County Solid Waste 

Wilfred Lambert - Fort Peck Tribes 

John Burns - West Yellowstone Transfer Station

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 

"Seeing the Unseen: Reducing Blind Spots in Landfill Operations"

Landfill equipment operators play a critical role in maintaining safe and efficient site operations, yet even experienced operators have “blind spots” that obscure hazards. This presentation introduces the concept of scotoma, a spot in an individual’s visual field where vision is absent or deficient. Through an interactive, hands-on demonstration, attendees will observe how hazards may be obscured by visual limitations and will learn practical tools and training approaches to improve hazard recognition, situational awareness, and overall operational safety.

Wilfred's role is to lead environmental assessments, regulatory compliance, community outreach, and cleanup projects on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.  He has worked with the tribes OEP since 1998, starting as a Brownfields coordinator before becoming Director.  In addition, Wilfred has served on the Fort Peck Planning Committee and the Brockton Public Schools Board of Trustees.

Wilfred will be a speaker on the recycling panel. 

Troy will be conducting a high level, but practical course with a general overview of fire risks and mitigation measures.  The course will cover different types of fires, prevention options and procedures and fire control options and procedures.  There will be a field demonstration with a laser infrared thermometer, a FLIR camera and fire extinguisher demonstration.  Most importantly, he will teach fire safety -knowing when to fight and when to run!

"Vermicomposting - Using Worms as a Food Scrap Management Tool"

Karl Johnson owns and operates YES Compost LLC a food scrap collection, composting, and vermicomposting (using worms) company based in Belgrade, MT.  YES processes around 600 tons of organic waste per year, turning it into two products: bulk compost and Worm Castings.  The presentation will focus on equipment and techniques used for vermicomposting as well as a bespoke system that uses heat from active compost piles to warm their worms during the winter months.  Make sure to drop by to check out the live worms in their home-scale demonstration bin!
 

Lewis and Clark County Landfill Supervisor/City of Helena Solid Waste - Lewis & Clark County Solid Waste is managed by the City of Helena Solid Waste Division through an Interlocal Agreement established in 2015. Management is responsible for providing administrative oversight of the Scratch Gravel and Marysville District permitting process and administrative oversight and general management of the Lewis and Clark County Landfill, Augusta Solid Waste District, Lincoln Solid Waste District and the Marysville Solid Waste Sub-District. 

Jacki is a featured speaker on the solid waste panel. 

Chloe is the Environmental Manager for Delaware North in Yellowstone. She leads their sustainability program, overseeing recycling and waste diversion initiatives, employee engagement, and operational sustainability efforts across the park. Chloe also supports Delaware North's larger GreenPath® program, the company's environmental management system that helps reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote sustainable business practices. She is passionate about developing practical solutions that protect Yellowstone's natural resources while creating meaningful sustainability initiatives for employees and guests alike. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, fly-fishing, and trail-running with her dog in West Yellowstone. 

Chloe will be a speaker on the recycling panel. 

Kristin Blackler is the Sustainability Director for Bridger Bowl Ski Area, a non-profit ski area in Bozeman, MT. Bridger Bowl’s mission is to operate as a locally focused recreation area that balances quality, affordability, and sustainability to best serve the community. 

Kristin will be a speaker on the recycling panel. 

Tour the City of Bozeman Compost facility run in conjunction by Bozeman Solid Waste and Happy Trash Can Curbside Composting.  This private-public partnership works together to manage incoming feedstock and processing of all organics.  Ryan (HTC owner/operator) will go over the composting process: from handling incoming feedstock, initial mix, heap building, pile management (utilizing GORE Cover Aerated Static Pile systems from Sustainable Generation), curing  phases, screening and compost sales.  Russ Ward (Superintendent BSW) will give historical context of the site and background on the City of Bozeman's year round organics recycling program.

Chemical Inhalation and Absorption Hazards: This training addresses chemical inhalation and absorption hazards in the workplace, including health effects, exposure control measures through engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. 

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.

Jim Simon manages and monitors Solid Waste Enterprise Fund operations in Gallatin County through the development and implementation of departmental budgets, policies, and procedures. Responsibilities include evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of solid waste landfill operations, equipment maintenance, safety programs, and waste diversion and recycling initiatives. The position also reviews and updates permits, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable county, state, and federal regulations.

Jim Simon will be a speaker on the Solid Waste panel. 

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. 

John Burns is the district manager of the West Yellowstone/Hebgen Basin Solid Waste District.  He assisted in the start-up and operation of the compost facility until it’s closure in 2022.  He has worked at the transfer station in various roles since 1992.

He is a speaker on the solid waste panel. 

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.

“Moving Toward a Digital Landfill” Dan Chetterbock - Rock Springs Landfill and Patty McKenzie - Stellar Programming & Consulting -- both entities are located in Wyoming
Discover how cloud-based software is helping landfills and collection stations become more efficient, safer, and easier to manage. Through real-world experiences from the Rock Springs Landfill, Wyoming and others nearby, this session will demonstrate how digital tools can streamline your operations.

Stellar Programming & Consulting, Inc. is a Wyoming-based software company that has been designing and developing custom database applications since 1985. Our experience spans solid waste, oil & gas, blood draw requisitions, inspection systems, work orders, accounting, job tracking, and other specialized applications for private industry as well as city, county, state, and federal government.  Most importantly, we have an experienced team of software developers and support personnel who enjoy working with customers to turn their ideas and processes into practical, easy-to-use 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.