By Cassie McClure
Published in: Las Cruces Bulletin (Sun News) 04.10.22
Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) welcomes a new deputy director for Solid Waste Collections to its team. Coming from Colorado, Carl Pierce joined LCU in March, but is still adjusting to the superior green chile he’s finding in New Mexico.
Originally from the Puget Sound area of Washington State, Pierce moved to Colorado, where he worked for many years at the University of Colorado, Boulder, as the Solid Waste and Recycling Operation Manager. Pierce brings years of extensive knowledge to LCU in the solid waste and recycling industry, previously working as a driver, supervisor, and manager.
The LCU Solid Waste Collections line of business supplies trash containers to 35,416 residential customers and more than 2,780 commercial customers while disposing of an average of 6,200 tons of trash every month.
Pierce will manage the four programs: Solid Waste Administration, Solid Waste Residential Collections, Solid Waste Commercial Collections, and Solid Waste Green Waste, Compost & Green Fill. Solid Waste has a staff of 45 that will be growing, especially in drivers, as the city sees its own expansion.
“I’m excited to join LCU, particularly in seeing growth in the city with the new homes and business in the East Mesa area,” he said.
His background includes strategic planning, executing tactical solutions that strengthen overall business and operations, and focusing on an exceptional experience for the customer. Pierce explained that attitude is key and that dedication to a team’s mission allows staff to stay positive.
“I believe in going that extra mile in any position I’m in because it allows others to have the support to do their best,” said Pierce. “I want to ensure that my staff feels appreciated so that our customers will have a strong team ready to get work in helping to keep our city clean.”
As he’s learning more about Las Cruces and working on integrating up-to-date industry technology for solid waste, Pierce is also looking forward to returning to pre-pandemic education programs, especially for children.
“After the COVID pandemic restrictions, the team wants to restart the Touch-a-Truck program for elementary school student career days,” he said.
“Education for families can come through its smallest members, who really do light up when they see our trucks come down the street,” said Pierce. “We can teach how to stay safe around our trucks and let them bring back home simple information, like how parking too close to the containers may make it harder for us to pick up their family’s trash.”
LCU – Your Utility Connection. Customer Central can be reached at 575-541-2111 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. LCU provides clean, safe, and reliable services to Las Cruces residents and businesses. Learn more at: las-cruces.org/180/Utilities
For emergencies, call Dispatch at 526-0500.
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PHOTO 1: New LCU Deputy Director Solid Waste Carl Pierce.