The Sierra Container Group is comprised of a highly-experienced team of professionals that has more than 65 years of combined Solid Waste and Recycling Industry experience. This group shares in many values, including our mission to “Elevate”.
» Elevate our value to our customers and stakeholders
» Elevate the communities that we live and work in
» Elevate those that are less fortunate
» Elevate each other's spirits
» Elevate our families and lives in every way
“Each team member possesses unique experiences and skills that when utilized individually leads to great success. However, it is the combination of our shared values, unwavering faith in each other and our commitment to excellence that will empower us to ascend mountain tops.”
− The Sierra Container Group
Meet the Team
Mike Schwalbach, President
Starting his career in 1990, Mike has decades of diverse environmental experience, leading customer container solutions from manufacturing to market development. With a BS in Mechanical Engineering (Cal) and an MBA (UCLA), Mike has been able to apply a long-term and macro vision to providing value to the customer. Since founding Sierra Container Group in 2016, the company has grown to be recognized as a high quality and respected supplier in the waste & recycling industry. Mike believes in “giving back” and “for the good of the industry”, which is reflected through his commitment and involvement in several organizations. Besides receiving the 2015 NWRA Member of the Year award and the 2022 Distinguished Service award, Mike has also served as EREF Auction Chair and Chair of the NWRA Supplier Board of Governors. In addition, his current roles include Chair of the NWRA PAC, a member of the NWRA Board of Trustees, and is on the planning board for the Garbageman’s Invitational.
Dustin DePanfilis, COO
Dustin has been involved in the Solid Waste and Recycling Industry since 2002. During this time, he has had a long and successful career in Sales, Business Development and Operations. He has spearheaded the development of unique products, services, and technology solutions that are geared toward maximizing return on invested capital and improving operational efficiencies. As the COO for Sierra, Dustin is responsible for all business operations and continually developing Sierra’s infrastructure to serve our growing customer base. By leveraging his experience and leadership, Dustin has developed collaborative processes that align Sierra’s sales efforts with operational execution, which has been instrumental toward our goal of continuously exceeding our customers’ expectations. Dustin grew up in Western Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Finance. Today he lives in Lewes, DE with his wife Kim and two children Lily & Luke.
Faith Zydowsky, Vice President
Faith serves as Vice President of Sierra Container Group with over 18 years of combined hauling and supplier experience within the Solid Waste and Recycling Industry. With a focus on key account management and strategic market development, Faith consistently exceeds customer expectations and hurdles every obstacle in her path. Faith’s success can be attributed to her relentless pursuit of customer service and her love of building lasting relationships across the industry.
Faith has a passion for giving back to the industry and volunteers on the National Waste & Recycling Association’s (NWRA) Board of Governors – Suppliers, Women’s Council Board – Past President, Event’s Committee Chair, National Membership Committee and is an active member in several state chapters. She serves on the Environmental Research Education Foundation (EREF) Auction Committee and enjoys attending industry events and learning about Servant Leadership. Faith earned a degree from Florida State University and spends most weekends cheering for her son and his travel baseball team!
Rob Eck, Vice President
Rob has over 15 years of experience in the Solid Waste and Recycling Industry. As an original owner and business partner with Sierra Container, he works tirelessly on creating customer delight with one main goal in mind… exceeding his customers’ expectations. He has a passion for working with people and understanding at the core what is important to them allowing him to deliver on those expectations. With a focus on growing sales with strategic partner customers, he is tasked daily with aligning both new and existing customers with Sierra’s mission of Elevating in all aspects of life and business. Rob’s attention to detail and relentless pursuit to please his customers continues to fuel Sierra’s responsible growth. With a focus on People first and Business Development second, Rob’s ability to connect and collaborate has delivered value for countless customers. Rob currently serves on the Board of Directors for Recycle Florida Today and was the Communications Committee Chair since 2009. He is also an active member of the Future Industry Leaders Alliance (FILA) of the National Waste and Recycling Association. Rob holds a BS in Business from Wake Forest University where he graduated Cum Laude. He calls the Sunshine State of Florida his home where he lives with his wife, two children and lots of animals.
Andrew Moore, Vice President
Andrew is passionate about business and started his career in operations before moving to sales in the Solid Waste and Recycling Industry for the last 8 years. His experience working directly with customers and managing teams instilled in him the belief that people, and service are the key to business. This perspective combined with his pursuit to understand what defines success for his customers has allowed him to develop countless meaningful relationships within the industry. Andrew graduated with his degree in Business from Ottawa University and lives in Denver, CO where he can pursue his passion for the outdoors year-round.
Carrie Scharenbroch, Customer Service Manager
Carrie has been in the plastics manufacturing business for over 25 years with a strong focus on customer service, operations, logistics, and information systems. This achieved her great experience, business knowledge, incredible attention to detail, and commitment which enables her to give everyone the best customer experience at Sierra Container. Carrie focuses primarily on internal operations support and collaborating with our sales team to achieve our goal of delivering the best customer service in the industry.
Christal Lockhart, Customer Service Manager
Christal is a dynamic professional with over 15 years of experience in the Customer Service role within the Solid Waste and Recycling Industry. Her
experience working directly with customers and managing each step of their experience has attributed to customer satisfaction. She has established
strong relationships that have become loyal customers that brings in repeat business wherever she works. Christal values the people in the industry and exudes the passion that it takes to be successful. She strives to always make each customer a top priority in hopes for another opportunity to work with them.
Christal is a proud mom of three young adult children. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, seeking out live music, and trying new dining experiences. She currently resides in Illinois.
Wes Glakas, Vice President
Wes has spent the past 12 years in the Solid Waste & Recycling Industry tackling challenges related to operations, quality, and sales. Starting in the Waste and Recycling industry behind the scenes as a mechanical engineer, Wes developed road maps related to the production and quality assurance of roll-out carts. Attacking quality challenges for customers garnered lasting friendships and mentorships, opening doors for Wes to see the hidden beauties of our industry, grow his personal and professional network, and learn about how our industry truly touches everything. Taking the scenic route, working for multiple industry leaders, led to an opportunity to once again work alongside his long-time friends and mentors, at Sierra Container.
Wes is most excited about refreshing past relationships and creating new ones; discovering new ways Sierra can elevate our customers and our industry as a whole. Taking on leadership roles at the state and national level with SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America), Wes is passionate about inspiring young professionals with the industry beauties that allured him.
Brad Kuznacic, Director of Operations
Brad is a highly experienced professional with an impressive background in the plastics industry, boasting more than 20 years of expertise. As the Director of Operations, Brad brings an invaluable wealth of technical knowledge to his role. With his extensive experience in process engineering, he has made significant contributions to areas such as injection molding, engineering, and manufacturing. Brad’s solid foundation in these fields can be attributed to his graduation from AIM Institute’s Plastic Technology & Engineering program. Throughout his career, his exceptional leadership skills have been evident as he has successfully overseen numerous projects that have driven innovation and fueled organizational growth. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Brad’s previous experience in the U.S. Army has ingrained in him a strong work ethic, keen attention to detail, and outstanding collaborative skills with cross-functional teams. Undoubtedly, these qualities have played a significant role in his success within the industry. Brad currently resides in Sheboygan, WI, with his wife and three children. During his leisure time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, engaging in fitness activities, and immersing himself in live music experiences.