WRM logo only

Saving Water, Protecting the Environment

WRM Management Team

Our Executive Team is made up of visionary leaders with decades of experience in environmental services, including liquid waste collection, processing, and recycling. They have extensive knowledge of mergers & acquisitions, logistics, and strategic planning that generate growth and healthy returns for investors.

Ryan Wurgler Headshot

RYAN WURGLER

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


Ryan Wurgler joined WRM as President & Chief Operating Officer in February of 2021 and became the Chief Executive Officer July 1, 2021. Prior to joining WRM, Ryan served as Vice President of Operations for Stericycle Environmental, Senior Vice President of Operations for Clean Harbors, Divisional Vice President for Waste Connections and Division Manager for Waste Management.

In his 30-year career, Ryan has led organizations with up to $700MM in revenue, over $150MM in EBITDA and more than 2,100 employees. Ryan has a demonstrated record of delivering strong stakeholder returns while focusing on hands-on leadership, team member development, operations management, organic growth strategy, M&A integration and superior sales & marketing performance.

Ryan holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the North Dakota State University, with a double major in Accounting and Economics.

ED HICKMAN

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


Ed Hickman has served as Chief Financial Officer for WRM since 2016. Ed previously worked as the company’s Director of M&A.

Prior to joining WRM, Ed was the Senior Vice President of Relativity Capital, a private equity firm investing in aerospace & defense, transportation, and industrial businesses.

Ed has a Master of Business Administration degree from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Ed Hickman
Mike Costello Headshot

MICHAEL COSTELLO

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER


Michael Costello is the most recent acquisition to WRM’s senior leadership team, joining as the Chief Operating Officer in April of 2022. Prior to WRM, Michael was the Chief Executive Officer of Otto Environmental Systems, a $97m manufacturing company where he was responsible for streamlining executive leadership and developing lean processes to improve profitability.

Michael has over 20 years of experience in profit and loss management and excels at building cohesive, cost-efficient organizations ranging from $19m to $160m. During that time, Michael acquired industry expertise in manufacturing, environmental, industrial services, transportation, distribution, and more. Michael has a degree in Heavy Equipment Management from the American Training Institute in Newark, NJ.

BRIAN KELLEHER

VP, SALES AND MARKETING


Brian joins us with an extensive operational background and is a proven Sales Executive.  Brian is a driven and passionate revenue leader with an entrepreneurial mindset, consistently delivering more than expected. He has 19+ years of extensive experience developing and driving robust growth strategies, operations, and initiatives in diverse and rapidly evolving water, wastewater, recycling, composting, and grease markets. Brian’s career highlights include securing multimillion-dollar contracts, leading large-scale projects, and transforming underperforming teams into thriving regions.

Brian holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Clarkson University. Additionally, Brian has attained a 2nd B.S. degree from Clarkson University in Social Sciences with a minor in Pre-Law. 

BRIAN KELLEHER - VP, SALES AND MARKETING
Tim Cox

TIM COX

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS


Tim Cox has served as Vice President of Operations at WRM since 2012. He was promoted from Market Manager, a role he had held since 2009.

Prior to his time at WRM, Tim was the Director of Landfill Operations for multiple states for Waste Management, a $13 billion company in Houston, TX.

Previously, he was Regional Landfill Manager for Browning Ferris Industries, a Houston, TX waste management company that was disbanded in 1999.

Tim has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of California Santa Barbara.

STEVEN CHARO

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS


Steve Charo has served as Market Manager of WRM since 2017. He was promoted from Market Manager, a role he held since 2012.

Prior to coming to WRM, Steve was the District Manager for Waste Management, a Houston, TX waste management company.

Previously, Steve was Director of Operations for U.S. Liquids, a liquid waste management services company where he was responsible for operations in multiple states.

When he isn’t working, you’ll find Steve working on something at home or playing with the grandkids.

Steve Charo