The Board of Directors of the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority announced today that its Executive Director, William Rabbia, plans to retire at the end of the year. After graduating from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, he has served at the Authority throughout his career of 32 years.
Since 1991, Mr. Rabbia has played a critical role in the development and success of the Authority, and while the Board will miss him and his leadership, we wish him the best of luck in his retirement and his new ventures. We want to thank him for the years of dedicated service which involved many significant accomplishments. In his tenure, Mr. Rabbia spearheaded active landfill gas recovery, landfill gas to electricity, single stream recycling conversion, Food2Energy processing and numerous other system-wide capital improvement projects. He leaves the Authority in very strong financial condition and has been responsible for overseeing the Authority’s $22.4 million operating budget. The Authority has lowered tipping fees six (6) times during his tenure. While at the Authority, Rabbia served as President of the New York State Association for Solid Waste Management for two terms. As President, he took the lead with the Association’s work regarding the latest revisions to the State‘s solid waste management regulations.
Executive Director Rabbia remarked, “I have had the pleasure of working with a dedicated board, exceptional staff, and wonderful public and private partners, with whom I still maintain great relationships after so many years. I wish to thank all those I have met on my way, who have enriched my life. I am grateful and proud for having played a role in the development of our regional solid waste management system.”
As part of its strategic succession planning, the Authority's Board of Directors unanimously appointed Joshua Olbrys, current Deputy Executive Director, as its next Executive Director, effective January 1, 2024. Mr. Olbrys has been with the Authority since 2006. He has been responsible for all aspects of the Authority’s Regional Landfill operations and assisting in the administration and planning of all Authority facilities and operations.
Ken Long, Chairman of the Board stated, "Please join us in thanking Bill for his leadership at the Authority, and in congratulating him on his accomplishments and upcoming retirement."
The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority was created by the State Legislature in 1988 and operates independently and without any state, county, or local government financial support. The Authority has developed an integrated system including:
- Recycling Center (Utica)
- Green Waste Compost Facility (Utica)
- Eco-Drop Facilities (Utica and Rome)
- Household Hazardous Waste/E-Waste Facility (Utica)
- Land Clearing Debris (Rome)
- Transfer Stations (Utica, Rome, and Webb)
- Regional Landfill Facility (Ava)
- Landfill Gas to Electricity Facility (Ava)
- Solar Array System (Rome)
- Food2Energy Facility (Utica)
For further information please contact Bill Rabbia at (315)733-1224 Ext. 1700.