Our team
CWS is a woman-owned and operated small business that provides sustainable waste management solutions through analytics, innovative technologies, training, and culture change. Since our founding in 2013, CWS has successfully managed client’s waste and recyclables while reducing their landfill usage and waste hauling costs by changing the way waste is handled. Our priority is to provide clients with the most effective, environmentally friendly waste management solutions. We accomplish this by following the Waste Management Hierarchy of sustainable materials management. We must view waste production and management differently by creating or modifying programs and the human behavior that drives them. Ultimately, we need to create a culture change and this begins through leadership.
CANDACE SEGER
Founder and CEO
TRUE Advisor / LEED AP O+M
CANDACE SEGER
Candace Seger is the Founder and CEO of Corporate Waste Solutions with over 15 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry. Candace is a TRUE Advisor, working with companies on developing and implementing Zero Waste plans. She is a LEED AP specializing in Operations and Maintenance, has worked on various LEED projects and conducted numerous waste audits across the country. Candace sits on the Houston Galveston Area Council’s Solid Waste Management Committee and has been a guest speaker and presenter for the U.S. Green Building Council, the Houston Galveston Area Council, the City of Houston, the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling, and many private companies. She specializes in waste audits, plan development, education, and change management. She is well respected as a leader and mentor in her field.
Ripley Beaver
Comptroller
Ripley Beaver
Ripley Beaver has earned both his Marketing and Accounting degrees from Lamar University. He began his professional career working with local firms and small businesses. He moved on to corporate accounting at a logistics company. Ripley is an active member in the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and a member of the American Marketing Association. Ripley’s experience of full cycle accounting, detailed work with both vendors and customers, as well as his understanding of high-volume systems is why he is a great asset to the Corporate Waste Solutions team.
Heather Wall
Sustainability Success Consultant
Heather Wall
Heather Wall has 24 years of waste and recycling industry experience, serving as a Major Account Executive, with one of the largest global waste and recycling providers in the country. overseeing the largest accounts in the Houston market. Heather l earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from Davenport University. She joined CWS in March of 2024 as a Sustainability Success Consultant and has a broad knowledge in managing waste and recycling programs for large corporations. Her background in waste and recycling management provides a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges faced in the waste and recycling industry from both the vendor and the client perspective.
DARIEN ROSS
Chief Operating Officer
TRUE Advisor
DARIEN ROSS
Darien Ross has over 13 years of waste and recycling industry experience, beginning her career with one of the largest global waste and recycling providers. Ms. Ross is a Sustainability Manager at CWS, overseeing the work of our Sustainability Consultants and the overall operations of the business. She is a TRUE Advisor and has extensive knowledge developing and managing waste minimization programs. Her background working in Material Recovery Facilities provides a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges faced in the recycling industry from both the vendor and the client standpoint and applies this knowledge quite often when working with the CWS team.
Jay Brown
Sustainability Manager
TRUE Advisor
Jay Brown
Jay Brown started with Corporate Waste Solutions in 2020 and is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri with a Bachelor's Degree in History and Cultural Anthropology and a minor in Criminal Justice. He came to the company with over 15 years of manager experience. Jay worked several years in law enforcement as an Investigator, which gave him the skillset to work with with different types of people and perform well in high-stress situations. Jay transitioned to working with heavy construction specializing in tunneling and environmental drilling. He worked on municipal, state and federal government projects and gained several certifications from OSHA and the board of safety professionals. With Corporate Waste Solutions, Jay works with government agencies in maintaining their waste facilities and has experience performing waste audits.
Sydney Levins
Sustainability Success Consultant
Sydney Levins
Sydney Levins joined CSW in July 2024 as a Sustainability Success Consultant, assisting clients in reducing their environmental impact through data analysis, technology, and education, thereby lowering operating costs. Sydney graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, earning a degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Biology and a minor in Environmental Studies. During her time at F&M, she was a scholar-athlete and contributed to research on stream channel dynamics. Sydney also studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, examining various sustainability initiatives and environmental policy.
Joanna Taczanowsky
Sustainability Coordinator
TRUE Advisor
Joanna Taczanowsky
Joanna Taczanowsky began her career in the waste and recycling industry in 2008. She had previously worked with Candace Seger on national contract projects before joining CWS in 2019. Joanna is a TRUE Advisor, assisting CWS clients in achieving their Zero Waste goals. Her primary background is working on large-scale, national governmental projects. Joanna has worked with the U.S. Army, Department of Veterans Affairs, The Smithsonian Institute, and the General Services Administration. Joanna’s experience includes managing a team of 10 auditors and numerous temporary workers to complete over 210 waste audits across the country, develop ongoing best practice guides, and assist with implementation at each location. This year-long project identified nearly one million dollars in prospective savings. Joanna provides support and research to the team, program development, report writing, and data management for clients.
Jennifer Garcia
Lead Auditor
TRUE Advisor
Jennifer Garcia
Jennifer Garcia began her career with CWS in 2014 and is familiar with every area of the business. Mrs. Garcia is an Executive Assistant to the management team. Her previous role was Sustainability Consultant primarily working with large multi-campus corporate facilities. She is a TRUE Advisor and has helped train many of our new team members. Mrs. Garcia is also bi-lingual and develops and conducts many of our janitorial training sessions and site visits. She has been a team member on many large projects and has led numerous LEED waste audits.
Pamela Thurman
Program Development Director
Pamela Thurman
Pamela Thurman has over 25 years of experience as an Industrial Engineer and Technical Writer including 12 years in the waste management industry. Mrs. Thurman’s knowledge of project management, process flow, data analysis, and her attention to detail have allowed her to offer an analytical and project management perspective on CWS projects. Pamela has managed several large-scale waste diversion improvement projects over the years for clients such as the Chicago Department of Aviation, the University of Michigan Hospital Association, and Archer Daniels Midland. Pamela holds a BS in Industrial Engineering and an MS in Engineering Management.
Gabrielle Ware
Marketing Manager
Gabrielle Ware
Gabrielle Ware began her career in news media and has experience reporting, copywriting and editing for television, radio, and digital outlets. She followed her passion for creative public messaging into public relations and marketing. She has led multiple marketing campaigns including those for city government and higher education institutions. Gabrielle is a graduate of Auburn University and earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communication. She completed an internship in video production with the Atlanta Hawks basketball team, where she focused on helping produce video for in-game entertainment. Gabrielle is proud to be on the CWS team as its Marketing Manager. She manages client education information, social media, website updates, and general public outreach.
Our Corporate Philosophy and Management Approach
Sustainability is at the core of our business. It is what drives the Vision, Mission, and Core Values of our company. We develop partnerships with our clients to develop waste management solutions that drive their sustainability efforts, create operating efficiencies, and support their overall waste management programs.
Our Vision
Our Vision
To create sustainable waste management programs that aim to achieve and surpass zero waste goals.
Our Mission
Our Mission
To provide our clients with sustainable waste management solutions and practices that create a company culture of sustainability.
Our Core Values
Change
Change
One small change can make a huge difference.
Leadership
Leadership
We strive to lead by example.
Passion
Passion
We care deeply about our work, our team, and our clients.
Ownership
Ownership
We take ownership in our actions, decisions, and the success of our business.
Commitment
Commitment
We are dedicated to our mission.
Relationships
Relationships
We value the relationships we have built. Without them, we would not be here.