SWANA announces new hires and promotions

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Maryland, has announced four new appointments to its team.   

The new hires include Natalie Garcia as technical division manager, Amanda Suntag as marketing and communications program manager, Kimberly Pittmon as database specialist and Monique Hyatte as membership services coordinator.   

SWANA also has announced Estela Martinez has been promoted to senior membership manager and Andre Owens has been promoted to membership manager.  

”We are very excited to onboard these new and talented employees to Team SWANA,” SWANA President and Executive Director David Biderman says. “I am very pleased to promote Estela and Andre in the membership department. These promotions reflect the terrific work that they have been doing at SWANA and for our members.”  

Garcia previously worked as an environmental health specialist for the city of Garland, Texas. Garcia will be working closely with SWANA’s seven technical divisions, which keep track of trending topics, connect experts and shape the future of the solid waste industry. Members of the technical divisions use the groups to share experiences and knowledge in their respected areas and network with others across the United States and Canada, and SWANA says Garcia’s background in communication and stakeholder engagement will be valuable as she assumes the role. Garcia has a bachelor of science in bioenvironmental sciences.  

Suntag joins SWANA’s marketing team after six years of experience in marketing, communication, branding and events. Suntag has worked for three associations and was most recently employed as a marketing and events specialist at the Center for Vein Restoration.  

Pittmon has 19 years of experience maintaining database integrity, reporting KPIs, writing database queries and providing member service. She formerly worked at the National Ready Mix Concrete Association.  

Hyatte brings years of association experience to her new role, first starting with association work in 1992. Since then, she has worked for multiple associations, accruing the customer service and database experience, which is essential to her role. Recently, she served as a membership and database manager for the National Club Association.  

Martinez’s new responsibilities will include management of SWANA’s Young Professionals (YP) program including developing and overseeing YP recruitment, retention and engagement. She will also oversee the YP Leadership Academy and provide guidance to the YP Steering Committee. Martinez will continue to be the main point of contact with SWANA’s 47 Chapters.  

Owens joined SWANA in November 2018 as the membership services coordinator. Some responsibilities that Owens will take on include management of MentorMatch, staff liaison for the YP program and managing the new member welcome program.