At American Waste Control, we’re passionate about living out our mission and core values as a community partner and demonstrating our dedication to the environment.
Sustainability Mission: To provide the most cost-effective, environmentally sound solution for our customers’ waste disposal needs while striving to reduce material waste, generate clean renewable energy and make recycling easier and more accessible to all of Northeast Oklahoma.
It’s All About People…
Kenny Burkett, Founder
Kenny Burkett, founder of American Waste Control, saw a huge need to bring improvements to the collection process by helping solve the needs of his customers. Starting with only one truck and a handful of customers in 1970, he quickly built a successful company based on serving the Tulsa community and providing the best in waste management solutions.
He sold the residential part of his business in 1980—then began devoting his interests to commercial and industrial clients, founding American Waste Control that same year. He then went on to found Tulsa Recycle and Transfer (TRT) in 1987 and then American Environmental Landfill (AEL) in 2000, making American Waste Control the only completely integrated waste management company in Tulsa that provides custom solutions to area businesses.
Paul M. Ross, Vice President
Paul Ross is the Vice President of American Waste Control. He is a pioneering leader who has helped change the landscape of the waste management industry through his passion to improve the Tulsa community and conserve our natural resources.
A graduate of Oral Roberts University, Paul received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management. As a results-driven manager, he has a dynamic leadership style and solid commitment to helping people discover their capacity to do and become their best.
He is responsible for helping market and lead American Waste Control’s recycling initiative, Mr. Murph—a ten-million-dollar Material Recovery Facility—designed to help Tulsa families and businesses reduce their waste through recycling.
Paul resides in Tulsa with his wife, Liliana, and five children. He is deeply committed to giving back to the community and has served on the Tulsa Christmas Parade committee as chairman. He is a three year member of the Bixby Rotary Club and a founding board member of the American Therapeutic Riding Center.
Todd Green, Vice President Landfill Operations
Todd Green brings over three decades of Solid Waste experience to AEL. With an educational background in Chemistry and Business Management, he is well suited for serving our Industrial clients.
His work history includes a broad spectrum of experience in the Solid Waste sector that ranges from Engineering and Landfill Management to virtually every aspect of the Waste industry such as waste characterization, collection, transportation, recycling and disposal.
Since joining AEL in 2005, he has led the company to a successful operation that has virtually quadrupled in revenues-all the while maintaining a reputation as the best operated landfill in the State according to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. His expertise will continue to allow AEL to lead the industry in environmental compliance and be the premier choice of industrial clients for their special waste needs.
Guy Blagg, Vice President Sales
Guy attended Northeastern Oklahoma University and majored in Marketing and Environmental Studies. Dating back to 1980, he was Waste Management’s first appointed sales manager for Oklahoma and spent five years at that position. Trained in hazardous waste identification as well as special waste identification and disposal, Guy developed the state’s first “Operation Redirectory” resulting in the recycling of thousands of tons of phone books over a twenty year period. For over thirty years, Guy has developed and maintained some of the largest commercial and industrial accounts in Northeastern Oklahoma.
Suzanne Lucenta, Chief Financial Officer
Suzanne Lucenta is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of American Waste Control. As a certified public accountant, she has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to our company and its associated subsidiaries over the course of her nearly two-decade tenure.
A graduate of the University of Tulsa, Suzanne holds two Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degrees with concentrations in finance and accounting. In addition to helping the company with all associated financial tasks, she is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts and the Oklahoma Society of CPAs.
When she’s not working hard for American Waste Control, Suzanne is passionate about animals and often volunteers with various rescue organizations. She is also a former treasurer of the Tulsa SPA and is associated with the Great Pyrenees Rescue of Oklahoma.
Tim Hembree, Residential Supervisor
Marsha Clements, Residential Manager
Mike Burns, Operations Manager – AEL
As Operations Manager, Mike Burns’ job includes doing just a little bit of everything here at American Environmental Landfill. From planting trees to running equipment, there isn’t a whole lot around here that he doesn’t help with on a daily basis. His wealth of knowledge and nearly three decades in the industry are an incredible asset to our organization. Furthermore, his knowledge and dedication has allowed us to keep costs down in an everchanging market, leading to our success as the number one landfill in the state.
In fact, the industry is somewhat of a family affair for Mike. His grandfather, Forrest Burns, initially permitted what is now our location in 1981. From childhood, he spent his days helping out with the family business, working his way up from picking up debris to gaining experience in equipment operation and maintenance.
Best of all, the tradition of the Burns family at American Environmental Landfill is already well on the way to continuing with the next generation. Mike’s two sons are both employed at our Sand Springs location. And it isn’t too uncommon to see his wife and daughter lending a helping hand at ATRC.
Miguel Loeza, Field Services Manager
Miguel Loeza is the Field Services Manager at American Waste Control. He’s been with the company for more than two decades and continuously brings a wealth of knowledge to the team.
Work is a bit of a family affair for Miguel. His wife Melisa works at Tulsa Recycle & Transfer (part of the Tulsa Indoor Dump) and their son Christian is also employed by American Waste Control. In addition, the couple also has two other children, Nicholas and Angel. In their spare time, the Loeza Family likes to spend time outdoors. They can frequently be found camping at the lake, where they alternate between swimming and playing with their four-wheelers.
Aaron Hearn, Logistics Manager
Logistics Supervisor Aaron Hearn has been with American Waste Control for over fourteen years. After beginning his career as a driver, Aaron determinedly learned the ins-and-outs of the company and worked his way up the ladder to become the respected leader he is today.
Aaron has been married to his wife Catherine for 12 years. They’re the proud parents of two little girls: Moriah, who is seven years old, and Lillian, who is three. When he’s not working, Aaron splits his time between his family, his church, and his favorite pastime – bowling!
James Cosper, Shop Foreman
Shop Foreman James Cosper joined the American Waste Control team in May 2011. James steadily worked his way up in the industry—starting from an entry-level job sweeping floors at a trucking company to ultimately advancing into a much-deserved supervisory position with our team—picking up a wide range of skills and abilities along the way.
James and his wife Renee have been married for over twenty years. Together, they have five children and eight grandchildren. When James isn’t hard at work or busy spending time with his large extended family, he’s an avid sportsman and can be often be found in the great outdoors.
Art Burrow, Purchasing Manager
