During a May 10, 2022 meeting, the SWACO Board of Trustees unanimously voted to hire Joe Lombardi as the new Executive Director for SWACO, a role left vacant following the retirement of Ty Marsh in March 2022. Lombardi’s first day with the agency will be June 6, 2022. 

Lombardi’s appointment follows a rigorous search led by an Ad Hoc Committee of the Board, and facilitated by Ohio-based Strategic HR and Direct Effect Solutions, in which more than 90 candidates expressed interest in the position.

A graduate of Capital University (Bexley), Lombardi has more than 30 years of governmental experience with an emphasis in finance, administration, policy development and procurement.

SWACO Board Chair Susan Tilgner called Joe an ideal leader for the position. 

“Joe’s extensive background in public finance, executive leadership, familiarity with SWACO and close connections to the Central Ohio community will serve the agency well as we work with local communities, schools and businesses to advance our strategic direction in order to achieve a 75% diversion goal in Central Ohio,” said Tilgner.  

Lombardi will depart his employment as Director of the Department of Finance and Management with the City of Columbus later this month to join SWACO. He previously served on the SWACO Board of Trustees from 2016-2021 where he helped shape and support the securing of a new Permit-to-Install for the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill, the solar energy project, as well as establish a Carbon Emissions Management Plan, which is aligned with the International Paris Accord. As a Board Member, Lombardi also supported new programs aimed at helping Franklin County achieve record high recycling (diversion) rates annually.  

“Central Ohio residents, families and businesses are passionate about the way we manage our waste and care for the environment, so I’m eager to roll up my sleeves and share new ideas and opportunities to further leverage the waste stream for our Region’s benefit,” Lombardi said. “I appreciate the confidence the Board has placed in me to lead the agency, and I’m committed to being a champion for the good work and strategic direction already underway by the team at SWACO.”  

Lombardi is an active community volunteer, coaching high school and youth football and participating in a number of professional associations, organizations and boards. He and his family live in Columbus.