Genuine, Empathetic, Optimistic
Casella Waste Systems, General Manager, Clinton County Solid Waste Hometown: Lancaster, NY Age: 34 Education: A.S. Recording Engineering, Full Sail University, B.A. Environmental Planning & Management, SUNY Plattsburgh
When Sean Lukas was young, he wanted to be a rock star. His love of music and his analytical mind led him to study recording engineering which, in turn, led him to environmental engineering and a “twisting, winding road” to his current career. Knowing that he can be of service and make a difference is what motivates him to do his job well each day.
How does company culture impact you and what do you do to contribute to your company culture? Casella has a strong culture built around our core values; Service, Trust, Responsibility, Integrity, Continuous Improvement, and Teamwork. Reflecting on these values helps me to guide our business.
Tell us about your community involvement. I am a member of the Plattsburgh Noon Rotary Club, Vice Chairman of the Town of Peru Zoning Board of Appeals, and I am constantly looking for opportunities through my work to be a part of the community. What would you do if you have three hours off from work and could not go home? I would find a nice quiet place to take a hike. Being outdoors brings me peace.
What attracts you to your peer group? I tend to gravitate toward others who are passionate about what they do, are kind and committed to community.
What strategies do you use to approach the day? I make my day all about achieving or working toward the highest priority. Some days that can mean actively picking up wind-blown litter around our facility and some days it means preparing a budget for the next fiscal year. You have to be ready for anything.
What is something that no one would guess about you? It might surprise people that I was in a punk rock band for six years through middle and high school.
What important lesson have you learned in your career? You have to be flexible and willing to see opportunity in all things. The skills you learn along the way may be setting you up for a success you couldn’t have imagined.
What is the biggest risk you have ever taken? Deciding to switch career paths by moving to Plattsburgh in 2009. I met a girl from the North Country and I was looking for something more conducive to family life. So, I decided to start all over again at SUNY Plattsburgh. Looking back, I can say it worked out!
How can the North Country improve it Gen IQ? Continue to make connections across generational barriers. I see opportunities for this with groups like Rotary which includes members from all age ranges working toward common goals.
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