Originally published in The Finger Lakes Times by David L. Shaw
March 17, 2015
Don Gentilcore, the face of Seneca Meadows Landfill over the past 12 years, is leaving the company.
The departure of the 42-year-old Gentilcore to “pursue other career opportunities’’ was announced Monday.
“I have had the privilege of working with an incredibly talented and hard-working team that has consistently earned recognition for our company in the areas of business, community service and environmental stewardship,’’ Gentilcore said in a written statement. “I have really enjoyed connecting with the people of this community through the various civic organizations on which I have served, and I look forward to continuing those friendships.”
“Working with and serving in this community has been a privilege,” he added.
Gentilcore began working at the Seneca Falls landfill through a cooperative education program in 1992, while working toward an undergraduate degree in environmental management from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He was 19 years old at the time.
He graduated and remained with the company, working his way up to facility manager in 2003.
Company officials said Gentilcore was the “driving force’’ behind the establishment of a free recycling and electronics waste recycling drop-off center at theSalcman Road landfill.
During his tenure as manager, he established the Seneca Meadows Wetlands Preserve, a 600-acre wetland and trail complex run by the Audubon Society.
Gentilcore also developed a partnership with Seneca Energy LLC, a landfill-gas-to-electricity plant on Mound Road that will cut energy costs for the Seneca Falls Central School District by an estimated $60,000 a year.
The landfill also has been involved in controversial projects during his tenure.
It was recently awarded a state permit to construct and operate Meadow View Mine, a 120-acre clay mine in the town of Waterloo that would provide soil cover and liner material for the nearby landfill.
Seneca Meadows also proposed construction of a rail spur to bring trash by train, rather than truck. That project is on hold.
“[Gentilcore leaving] will be a loss to the community. Don was involved in a lot in the community and did the best he could operating the landfill properly,’’ said Seneca Falls Town Supervisor Don Earle.
“We had a good working relationship. We didn’t always see eye to eye, but we had a good relationship. He will be missed,’’ Earle said.
The landfill has a host benefits agreement with the town that substantially reduces town property taxes.
Gentilcore, in a email, said Kyle Black will serve as operations manager until a decision is made on a permanent replacement.
He said he will be working in the environmental field in the Syracuse area, which is where he lives.
Active in the community, he has served as a member and board member of the Kiwanis Club of Seneca Falls andWaterloo, Seneca County Chamber of Commerce, Finger Lakes Health, Montezuma Audubon Center Advisory Board and Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry.
He won the Rochester Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Award in 2011 and the Audubon New York’s Donald G. Colvin Conservation Award in 2012.
A reception for friends will be conducted in his honor from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St., Seneca Falls.
Seneca Meadows is owned by Progressive Waste Solutions of Toronto. It is the third-largest non-hazardous waste collector in North America and operates in 10 states.
The landfill — the largest in New York state — was acquired from IESI Inc. of Texas in 2005.
