Meet our Leaders

Dean Kattler

Chief Executive Officer

With over 25 years of environmental industry experience, Dean brings a wealth of knowledge, an entrepreneurial background and a proven track record of success to the Orion management team.

Before joining Orion, Dean led a successful turnaround at EnviroSolutions Inc. (ESI), a private equity-backed vertically integrated solid waste company based in the Mid-Atlantic, that was sold to Waste Management (WM) after a successful sale process.  Prior to ESI, Dean spent 14 years in a variety of senior management positions throughout WM’s North American operations.  His responsibilities included collection operations, subtitle C & D landfills, transfer stations and material recovery facilities.

Earlier in his career Dean honed his entrepreneurial skills as owner/operator of his own solid waste company that was acquired by WM in the late 1990’s.

Dean earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Western Governors University.

Jeff Lawrence

Chief Financial Officer

Jeff began his career as a CPA with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Orlando, FL.   After two years, he was hired away by one of their larger clients, Waste Management (WM) where he spent the next 18 years in various financial and operational roles.  His final role brought him to Birmingham, AL where he served as the VP of Operations for the AL/TN/MS Region.

After leaving WM, Jeff was CFO for a marketing firm and the Sr. VP of Operations for an energy efficiency company serving utilities across North America.

He joined Orion in July 2018.

Jack Conner

Vice President – Operations

Jack’s 30 years of operational experience began in the airline industry where he rose through the ranks of American Airlines. He concluded his airline career at the company’s flagship Dallas/Fort Worth hub as the Managing Director of Cargo Operations.

More recently, Jack spent 15 years with Waste Management where he held several key leadership positions with oversight of collections operations, material processing, landfills, transfer stations and integrating acquisitions.

Jack joined Orion in January 2019.  He holds degrees in Business and Economics from Centenary College.

Chris Hudnet

Vice President – Sales and Marketing

Chris has a proven management track record and more than 30 years of industry experience leading highly effective sales teams.  Most recently, Chris upgraded the talent and doubled the size of Mid-Atlantic based EnviroSolutions, Inc’s sales organization to rapidly deliver profitable organic growth which led to a successful sales process in early 2018.

Earlier in his career Chris led large regional sales organizations for Waste Management and Browning-Ferris Industries.  He also possesses an operational background from having owned and operated his own solid waste collection business.

Chris joined Orion in January 2019. Chris earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Towson University.

Cameron Colby, P.E.

Director – EH&S and
Human Resources

Prior to joining Orion in February 2017 Cameron worked more than 8 years as a consultant to the solid waste industry specializing in risk management, safety, environmental and DOT compliance.  In January 2019 Cameron assumed the leadership role for Human Resources in addition to her other responsibilities.

Cameron earned her Civil and Environmental Engineering degree from the University of South Carolina. Her PE designation is in Environmental Engineering.

Brad Avery

Vice President – Business Development

Brad’s has more than 28 years of solid waste industry experience in both the public and private sectors. His background includes operations, municipal marketing and business development.  He also owned and operated his own industrial and residential collection company.

Before joining Orion, Brad worked for WM, Waste Pro and WCA in various management roles.  Brad remains active in various legislative committees with the Florida League of Cites / Florida League of Mayors and is the Vice Chair of Business Watch.  Brad proudly served our country from 1985-1992 (both active and in reserves) in the United States Army.  He received an MBA from Stafford and is the Head Instructor – School of Government at RMI.

Alfred Ponce

Director IT

Alfred has over 26 years of senior management experience, along with 16 years of experience in information systems. Al has a very strong background in business technology information systems related to the Waste Industry, which includes RFID technology, interrogator and monitoring systems.

Prior to joining the team in 2011, Al was a Senior Manager with Dell Inc. responsible for teams in the United States, India and the Phillipines.  After leaving Dell, Al joined Lockheed Martin, and then Tapestry Solutions in a government technology role associated with the United States Army Battle Command systems.  Prior to these positions, Al served our country, retiring from the U.S. Army with over twenty-one years of service. Al attended the University of St. Thomas University, Houston Texas.