McDermott + Bull Places CEO for Collective Waste Solutions and MWM Environmental
September 19, 2025 – Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has placed Ahmed Taha as CEO at Collective Waste Solutions (CWS) and MWM Environmental (MWM). The search was led by McDermott + Bull managing partner Paul Gibbons, principal Colin Dolson, principal Brittany Stansfield, and lead consultant, executive search + talent development Jennifer Ness. “Ahmed brings deep industry knowledge and grounded leadership style that aligns with our values and vision,” says Frank Reppenhagen, chairman of the board. “His experience and people-focused approach make him the right person to lead us into this exciting next chapter.”
Mr. Taha brings over two decades of experience in the environmental services industry. He most recently served as area vice president at GFL Environmental, where he oversaw a $620 million P&L and led growth through more than 30 acquisitions. Prior to GFL, Mr. Taha held senior roles at Tervita, where he grew the oil sands division from $30 million to $400 million in revenue. He has a track record in strategic planning, operations, and M&A.
In his role with Collective Waste Solutions and MWM Environmental, Mr. Taha will lead the integration of the two companies, driving growth across Alberta and Manitoba while overseeing operational efficiency, customer-focused service delivery, and strategic expansion. He will be instrumental in shaping the organization’s future and positioning CWS + MWM as a leading regional waste management provider.
“I’m truly honored to be stepping into this role,” Mr. Taha said. “MWM and Collective have a strong foundation built by passionate people who care about their work and the communities they serve. I look forward to collaborating with this talented team to continue growing the business, supporting our customers and delivering sustainable waste solutions that make a difference.”
Collective Waste Solutions + MWM Environmental is a waste management provider across Alberta and Manitoba. With a strong focus on oil sands, heavy construction, and dense urban markets, the company combines operational excellence with a customer-first culture to provide innovative, high-touch waste services.
McDermott + Bull provides mission-critical permanent executive placement and interim solutions for a range of domestic and global clients. The firm serves private and public companies, private equity firms and their operating companies across multiple industries, including technology, financial services, biotech and life sciences, and professional services.
Mr. Gibbons is part of the firm’s private equity practice, based in Vancouver, BC. With over 20 years of distinguished experience in executive talent acquisition in North America and globally, he excels at aiding corporate clients in identifying and recruiting pivotal executives across diverse industries and disciplines. Mr. Gibbons primarily collaborates with privately held companies and private equity firms, sourcing top-tier executive talent for competitive business landscapes.
Related: McDermott + Bull Recruits CEO for Cocoon Inc.
Ms. Stansfield serves as a principal at McDermott + Bull Canada and is also part of the firm’s private equity practice. With over a decade of search experience, she brings an understanding of search best practices. she supports the firm’s practice leaders in executing search engagements, primarily partnering with privately-held companies and PE firms to source key executive talent in competitive business environments.
Ms. Ness leads executive search engagements across North America based in Calgary, Alberta. She specializes in high-growth private equity portfolio companies and privately held/family-owned businesses, having placed senior leaders in organizations ranging from early-stage ventures to billion-dollar enterprises.
Direct Relief Search
McDermott + Bull recently placed Amy Weaver as the new CEO of Direct Relief, a non-profit organization ranked fifth on Forbes’ List of Top 100 Charities dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people affected by poverty and emergencies worldwide. This search was led by McDermott + bull co-founder and managing partner Chris Bull, partner Sue Waterbury, and directors Shelby Varon and Anne Terry.
“Amy brings exceptional leadership experience and a genuine commitment to humanitarian causes that align perfectly with Direct Relief’s mission,” said Ms. Waterbury. “Her track record of scaling global operations and driving transformative change in the corporate world makes her uniquely suited to lead Direct Relief into its next phase of growth. Her decision to step away from the private sector to focus on humanitarian impact speaks volumes, and we’re eager to see her apply her strategic vision and leadership to amplify Direct Relief’s mission on a global scale.”
Related: McDermott + Bull Recruits CEO for the Chicano Federation
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
