AGM 2023

Neil Bansal

Since graduating from NAIT in the early 1990s, Neil has worked in the tire recycling industry for more than 25 years. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of emerging industries and technologies, with a passionate focus on building a more sustainable, efficient sector. With a focus on ESG, including worker safety and building a circular economy, are helping to make Liberty Tire a global leader in tire recycling.

Working in multiple jurisdictions, Neil has experience with various approaches to tire recycling and he recently advised Tire Stewardship Australia on the establishment of an EPR system in that country. Neil served for 2 years on the board of the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada. Currently Neil is a member of ELT committee ( A division of TRAC).  He is currently Regional Vice President of Liberty Tire, overseeing operations in Alberta, British Columbia and Washington State in US.

Jerry Bechtold

Professional Summary: Jerry Bechtold is a seasoned executive with over 35 years of diverse experience in executive positions within Electronic Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Manufacturing, and Industrial Manufacturing.

Currently serving as the President and CEO of an Industrial Container Recycling and Reconditioning business, Jerry is a fervent advocate for innovative approaches that promote Circular Economy solutions and contribute to a better environment. Born and raised in Alberta, and with a background in hockey during his childhood and young adult years, Jerry has lived throughout Alberta, including rural areas, Calgary, and Leduc Alberta. This diverse experience has instilled a deep-rooted connection to the region, and he is committed to leveraging his extensive industry expertise to positively impact Alberta Recycling. A strong believer in the potential of people and the importance of compassion, Jerry emphasizes creating opportunities for team members to succeed, A proud father and husband, highlighting the importance of family values and responsibilities.

Core Competencies:

• Circular Economy Expertise: Pioneering innovative approaches to promote Circular Economy solutions, driving sustainable practices within the industrial container industry.
• Environmental Impact: Motivated by a genuine desire to improve the environment and contribute to a better world through sustainable and responsible business practices.
• Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to lead organizations, make informed strategic decisions, and drive teams towards achieving common goals.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A serial entrepreneur, always seeking better solutions and opportunities to enhance operations and positively impact the industry and society at large.

Jerry Bechtold’s wealth of experience, unwavering dedication to the environment, and commitment to innovation set him apart as an exemplary candidate for the Director position at Alberta Recycling. His comprehensive background uniquely positions him to contribute positively to the organization and propel its mission within the recycling sector. Jerry’s belief in people and his compassionate approach further enhance his suitability for leading and creating opportunities for success within the team and the organization.

Allen Bridge

Allen possesses over three decades of experience in the development and implementation of waste management and waste minimization policies and programs across diverse sectors, including healthcare, higher education, and private industry.

Notably, Allen serves as the Chair of the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) Health Care Waste Management Technical Committee and holds the position of Vice Chair for the Long-Term Care Technical Committee. Additionally, he is an active member of the CSA Social Responsibility Technical Committee.

In a collaborative effort with CASCADES and the Coalition for Greener Health Care, Allen is set to lead the inaugural Health Care Waste Management Community of Practice, a pioneering initiative that will span every province in Canada.

Allen’s educational background is anchored in environmental stewardship, having earned a Master of Environment and Management degree from Royal Roads University.

Tammy Burke

Tammy Burke is a long-time resident and former Mayor of Rocky Mountain House, a community which she has called home for most of her life. She had a keen interest in local governance anddecided to get involved with Municipal Government in 2013, when she was elected as a Councillor for the town of Rocky Mountain House. Tammy went on to serve as Mayor from 2017-2021. During this later term she held seats on many various boards and committees both locally and provincially. Some of these include Alberta Urban Municipality Association’sEnvironment & Sustainability Committee, Parkland Regional Library Board, RMH Healthcare Recruitment Team, and many other municipal boards. She is currently serving on the Recycling Council of Alberta as Vice President, West Country Family Services Board in RMH, is a member of the Board of Governors for Red Deer Polytechnic and is working with O’Chiese First Nations on a few different projects. She believes strongly in being an active community volunteer whenever possible. Often there are partnerships to be made or ideas to be shared through the various boards and committees. This allows knowledge sharing and helps to strengthen our communities and organizations.

Tammy and her husband Stuart raised their two children in RMH and now enjoy spending time with their adult children and six grandchildren. Tammy and her daughter have also just started into a cut flower farm business. 2023 was their first year and they look forward to expanding next year. They are keenly intent on offering locally grown, pesticide free flowers to their region. Tammy is passionate about educating people on the benefits of waste diversion, curbing food waste and leaving a healthy earth for future generations. She believes we should always remain open to new and inventive ideas, and never be afraid of change and progress.  

Tammy is currently finishing her first term on the RCA Board of Directors, as Vice President and asks for your support to allow her to serve a second term. She is devoted, driven and passionate about all the organizations she is involved in.

Michael Crawford

Originally hailing from southern Saskatchewan, via Wisconsin, and to Alberta as a teenager, I’ve been fortunate to have Alberta as home for over 30 years. I grew up shoveling stalls at the family veterinary practice, where my first experience with someone serving on a board was my mom and the Red Deer SPCA.

Upon completion of my degree, I entered the Oil and Gas sector. Throughout my career, I have been lucky enough to be in sales, business development, management, ownership, consulting, and now serve as Director of Community Shared Value at CSV Midstream.

I live in Airdrie and balance my work time between Grande Prairie and Calgary. I’m grateful for two wonderful daughters, who are in university walking their journey.

As the kids got older, I began to feel compelled to step into serving in my community. I have served on boards for the Airdrie Ringette Association and Meals on Wheels. I also served on school parent council for five years while my children were in junior and senior high school. For the past thirteen years, I have been a member on the Advisory board for T-1 Transport in Lloydminster, Alberta.

In my current role, I connect with our CSV community (neighbors, community associations, vendors, oil and gas producers, Indigenous communities). The objective is to develop solutions that consider all stakeholders in win-win outcomes.

As projects are explored, I believe circular economy can be a key consideration in developing solutions that positively impact people and the environment.

My driving issue is fresh water. I believe we will be judged harshly by history for the misuse, wasteful practices, and resistance to change how we steward this precious resource. To create change, one needs to step in and be part of the change.

One skill I bring to the board is collaboration. A second skill would be my ability to connect – people, needs, services, and opportunities. Benefits to the board would be my experience serving on boards, my network in the Oil and Gas industry, and my belief that circular economy is essential to energy transition and quality of life.

I would welcome the opportunity to serve on the board of the Recycling Council of Alberta. Thank you for your consideration.

Bill Cummins

I was raised on a family farm just east of Saskatoon. When I finished high school I enrolled in the Heavy Duty Mechanics program in Saskatoon. 1^st job when I graduated the program was with Cummins Diesel in Saskatoon. I continued working as a mechanic in various fields from trucks to Heavy construction equipment to fuel injection systems until I received my Journeymen ticket.

For various reasons I got into sales in the mid 80’s and eventually wound up getting involved in the waste and recycling industry 5 years later. Sold my 1^st garbage truck in 1989. Now that dates me!!. 

For over 25 years my career has been as a equipment sales rep in the waste and recycling industry. I have gotten to know and done business with a wide variety of firms right across Canada and a few even in the US. I have been on the board of the SWANA Northern Lights Chapter for over 15 years as a corporate director. I was president of that group.

I am currently the director of sales for Zrow Recycling Systems, Based in Delta BC, but I continue to live and work out of Calgary. I am married with 3 sons, (1 of which also works in the industry as ops manager for a company in Edmonton.) and 5 grandchildren.

My potential value to the board would be as a person with a wide range of waste equipment experience and organizing trade relate events and trade shows.

Julie Dickson Olmstead

With over three decades of cross-sectoral experience, Julie Dickson Olmstead is a seasoned executive with a strong track record of success in innovative leadership, business management, integrated marketing communications and stakeholder engagement. 

A strong advocate for advancements in the circular economy through efficient and effective systems and partnerships, Julie is a member of the board of directors of Encorp Pacific (Return-It), Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba, and a member of the Management Board of Canada’s National Zero Waste Council. 

Julie is Vice Chair of the Board of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity; and is a member of the National Food Policy Advisory Council. 

She acts as a strategic advisor to Call2Recycle on a national level, as well as to Food Banks BC; BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, Mesh Exchange and a host of others on food waste reduction, food security, food accessibility. 

She supports Food as Medicine research projects, Agri-Food sustainability and student nutrition programs across the nation. She is also an advisor to Protein Innovation Canada’s Road to $25 Billion.

An accomplished presenter and accredited adult educator, Julie is proud to be a Guinness World Record holder, a recipient of the Pattison Food Group’s Special Achievement Award for her leadership in Corporate Responsibility, and was honoured to be named a Canadian Grocery industry’s Star Women in Grocery award winner in 2021. 

Cathy Heron

Mayor of St. Albert

Bio coming soon.

Andrew Horsman

Andrew Horsman is the VP, Sustainability at Environmental 360 Solutions (E360S), an integrated waste a resource recovery services company with operations across Canada. At E360S, Andrew leads the development of the company’s resource recovery services both through organic growth and through acquisition. In addition, Andrew heads the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) operated by E360S in Ontario and leads the company’s evolving ESG program.

Through his career, Andrew has been involved in the development and deployment of stewardship and resource recovery legislation in jurisdictions across the country, providing advice and counsel to help shape the legislation to drive the highest resource recovery results and create environmental and economic benefits for all Canadians.

Prior to joining E360S Andrew held a number of senior roles in the recycling and circular economy space. As the General Manager for Canada with CRM, he had responsibility for the company’s tire recycling facility in Ontario. During this time he led the permitting, siting and development of CRM’s newest Canadian facility in Crossfield, Alberta. While the Executive Director of Ontario Tire Stewardship, he led one of the country’s largest, most dynamic and progressive stewardship organizations. Prior to this, he was the Manager of Regulatory Affairs with Wal-Mart Canada where he spearheaded both the company’s sustainability program and its approach to and management of the retailer’s obligations under all the Canadian Stewardship programs, holding a variety of Board positions including with Product Care, Ontario Electronic Stewardship, Eco-Peinture, OTS and SOGHU. 

Andrew is a native Montrealer and graduate of McGill University. He remains “passably” bilingual and continues a deep affection for his hometown Montreal Canadians.

Clayton Miller

Clayton Miller, Vice President Business Development – Recycling, Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP

An Albertan born and raised, but now based in Ontario,  Clayton has been recycling electronics for over 20 years and has seen the industry evolve dramatically during that time, just like the technology itself! Clayton has been involved with the RCA for as long he can remember…and actually credits the organization for igniting a lifelong passion for waste, recycling and circularity. He was there when ARMA launched Canada’s first electronics recycling program and remembers those days with pride. Clayton is excited to help guide the next big transition in Alberta’s waste sector – the introduction of EPR. 

Quantum is Canada’s largest electronics recycler and operates 4 facilities in Alberta, employing over 100 Albertans. Quantum is also a PRO in Ontario, a division lead by Clayton. He brings the experience of a national organization that operates under all of Canada’s various provincial recycling programs, and one that has successfully transitioned from a stewardship to EPR model. Clayton has seen what works and what doesn’t for municipalities, service providers and citizens. Clayton is excited to deploy his experience and insight on the RCA board as Alberta continues its EPR journey. 

Clayton brings a passion for business and environmental sustainability to the table, with a particular focus on the intersection where each drive value for the other. Having had progressively senior roles at a total of 4 different electronics recyclers, he is proud of the work he’s done and wants to share his knowledge as widely as possible – to the benefit of people and planet. When not reusing and recycling electronics, Clayton spends time maintaining his farm in rural Ontario with his wife Carmella and son Danas.