This Summer, Compost Crew welcomed Deilert Lora as our new Operations Director. While Deilert has only been with our company for a few months, he brings nearly 30 years of experience in transportation and logistics. His journey began on the road, as a commercial driver, in the 90’s. He made stops along his journey working as a dispatcher, assistant manager, project manager and district manager and even international communications at various companies including DHL, FedEx and Kaiser Permanente.
While his experience goes on for miles, starting as a driver helps him bring humanity and connection to his job at Compost Crew where he is guiding our drivers and helpers. Some of which may have interest in growing and trying new roles within the industry.
“I always see them as the next role. I’m going to treat you as though you want to be a manager one day, this is just a part of your training!” says Deilert. “My approach is consistent. I will hold you accountable and see that you want to grow until you tell me otherwise. It pays dividends to identify true potential and to treat your employees as who they want to be.”
Dielert is genuinely interested in the betterment of his crew, but he shows he cares both in the workplace and at home. As the primary caretaker for his mother, he began his search for a new job that put him in a better place to maintain his new responsibilities. During his search, he discovered articles and a video of Compost Crew’s CEO Ben Parry. Given Deilert’s interest in sustainability, he was intrigued and inspired by Compost Crew’s mission, expressing his goal to work for a business that is a public benefit corporation. Deilert took note that Compost Crew “puts its money where its mouth is with a tangible, measurable and positive environmental impact for the community at large” through composting, green jobs, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and more. He came to the conclusion that this job opening at Compost Crew was the right move for his career, bridging together “logistics plus an environmental initiative” that he says “made it the job for me.”
Dielert started his job in June and was immediately whisked away back onto the road, this time, in the passenger seat. He rode along on Compost Crew routes and picked up residential and commercial scraps from homes and businesses in the DMV right alongside his team. He couldn’t help but be proud of and reflect on just how much hard work it takes to be a driver in the industry.
Deilert shares that a continued conversation between him and our CEO is about creating infrastructure that absorbs growth and executes for our customers in a sustainable way. Just a few months in, he has proved his mutual dedication to this shared vision.
Welcome to the Crew, Deilert!
