Bob Bernd retires, Dave Patterson takes the helm

Waste Connections, the parent company of local garbage contractor Lakeside Disposal & Recycling, has announced that Bob Bernd, the former owner and current manager, is retiring and that Dave Patterson has been appointed to take over Bernd's position. Patterson will also manage the company's recently acquired operations in Whitman County.

Patterson comes to Lakeside and Waste Connections from Waste Management where he managed nine eastern Washington locations which included collection, recycling and landfill operations. He graduated with a degree in business administration from Washington State University and has been in the solid waste industry for 24 years.

`Bernd, who founded Lakeside in 1984 and sold it to Waste Connections in 2000, will continue to make his home in Moses Lake.

"Sharon and I consider this our home and will continue to be active in the community as we enter this new era in our lives," Bernd said.

Patterson said he looks forward to serving the needs of the community in his new position and being actively involved in local activities. In announcing the personnel changes, Eric Merrill, regional vice president for Waste Connections said "While we will miss Bob's daily involvement and the perspective he brought to our company, we are fortunate to have found a person with Dave's experience who knows eastern Washington and our industry."

Merrill said that Bernd would continue to serve the company in an advisory capacity.