PNºB Episode 34

Summary

This podcast episode features an interview with Brendan Pantano, CEO of Coastal Waste and Recycling, covering his background, company details, industry insights, and personal philosophies. He discusses growing up in Buffalo, his family's waste and recycling business, and his passion for sports. Pantano founded Coastal Waste and Recycling with a co-founder, starting with a small acquisition and expanding rapidly. The company is known for its exceptional customer experience, employee culture, and commitment to innovation and sustainability in the evolving waste management industry. He emphasizes the importance of investing in people, delegating tasks, and fostering a growth-oriented environment. Pantano shares his leadership principles, career achievements, and personal aspirations, including mentoring young entrepreneurs and his desire to be remembered as a "talent developer."

Key Topics

• Brendan Pantano's Background:

  • Grew up in Fredonia, New York, a small town west of Buffalo.

  • Third-generation "garbage guy" from a family-owned waste and recycling business, as well as a painting company.

  • Engaged in sports (hockey, baseball) and worked from a young age.

  • Family includes a wife (married for 25 years), two daughters (16 and 14), and a son (10), residing in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County.

  • Buffalo Bills fan by upbringing, despite living in South Florida.

• Coastal Waste and Recycling (CWR):

  • Services: Full-service waste company offering residential, commercial, and industrial (construction/large container) waste solutions, portable toilets, and construction/demolition debris recycling.

  • Founding and Growth: Started from scratch with co-founder Brian, raising capital, and establishing operations in South Florida. First acquisition was a small operation in Hobe Sound with 4-5 trucks and a recycling plant.

  • Expansion: Expanded from an initial vision of a regional company (Miami to Hobe Sound) to 33 locations across Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia.

  • Differentiation: Focuses on exceptional customer experience, strong company culture, and employee development, as service is the main differentiator in an industry with similar equipment and offerings.

• Innovation and Sustainability in Waste Management:

  • Innovation: Keeping up with industry changes through technology in back-office operations, data analysis, AI in customer service, electric trucks, and robotics.

  • Robotics: Used for sorting waste, identifying waste streams, and improving recovery rates.

  • Sustainability: Key focus on C&D recycling to divert waste from landfills, thereby protecting Florida's groundwater.

• Leadership and Employee Development:

  • Core Philosophy: Invest in people with strong character who are motivated to work hard and be successful.

  • Talent Development: Pride in developing employees from entry-level positions to managing large markets. Sees company growth as a direct result of personal growth of employees.

  • Mentorship: Views his father and grandfather as early mentors, and values insights from partners (Brian, Frank) and other talented individuals. Believes in "paying it forward" by empowering others.

  • Leadership Principles: Work hard, never ask someone to do what you wouldn't do, stay alongside team members in challenges, encourage calculated risks and learning from small mistakes, and delegate effectively.

• Work-Life Balance:

  • Initially challenging due to extensive hours and responsibilities.

  • Evolved by building a strong team and delegating tasks, creating opportunities for team growth.

  • Emphasizes intentional planning for home life and personal time to avoid burnout.

• Community Engagement:

  • Involved in organizations that help the underserved community, beach cleanups, "touch-a-truck" events for schools, recycling education, and Habitat for Humanity.

  • Driven by a sense of gratitude and responsibility to give back.

• Personal Reflections:

  • Alternative Career: Passionate about business in general; if not in waste management, he would mentor other CEOs and invest in startups to help new leaders avoid common mistakes.

  • Advice for Entrepreneurs: Have a plan, empower your team, take small risks (viewing success as "a million fails forward"), and encourage learning from mistakes.

  • Dinner Guests: Elon Musk (for his vision and approach to failure), Steve Jobs (for innovation and changing the world), and a seasoned business leader (for extensive perspective and experience).

  • Legacy: Desires to be remembered as a "talent developer" – someone who supported individuals' journeys, helped them grow, and ensured they had a positive, successful experience.

• Recruitment/Culture at CWR:

  • Recognizes the industry may not appear "sexy" but emphasizes a fun, hardworking culture, leadership, and talent development.

  • Mentions their MIT (Management in Training) program for college graduates with no prior experience.