By Kimberly Mazza

CHEYENNE – Suzanne Engels is the Administrator for the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division (SHWD) at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) and has been elected as Vice President of the Association of States and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO).

The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials is a membership driven organization with representation from 50 states, 5 territories, and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1974, their mission is to enhance and promote effective State and Territorial programs and to affect relevant national policies for waste and materials management, environmentally sustainable practices, and environmental restoration.  

Engels brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role as the Vice President.  Having worked at the WDEQ for 15 years, she served in various roles within the agency’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Division (SHWD) and the Water Quality Division. In 2021, Engels was appointed as SHWD’s Administrator where she presently leads the responsible regulation of storage, treatment, and disposal of municipal solid waste, industrial waste, coal combustion residuals, and hazardous waste throughout Wyoming.  Additionally, she oversees all things related to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C, D, and I, including matters related to DEQ’s Brownfields, Orphan Sites, Voluntary Remediation, Storage Tanks and the Inspection and Compliance programs.

Not new to ASTSWMO, Engels has been active in ASTSWMO serving as the Region 8 Board Member and the voting member from the State of Wyoming. In the past, she has been an ASTSWMO task force team member and Vice-Chair for the Solid Waste Disposal and Conversion Task Force within the Materials Management Subcommittee. 

Suzanne decided to run for the Vice President position as she recognizes the importance of being involved in state and federal organizations to ensure Wyoming is represented.  

“ASTSWMO gives members an opportunity to voice their concerns and challenges among our peers and our federal partners. The networking provides avenues to find solutions from other states,” says Engels. “Since I will be serving in a leadership role over the next three years as ASTSWMO’s Vice President, President, and then Past President, Wyoming will continue to have visible and robust representation.”