GFL’s Tyler Stefure and Matthew Taylor win 40 Under 40 award

GFL is doubly delighted to announce that Fleet Director Tyler Stefure and Area Fleet Director Matthew Taylor have been named winners of the 40 Under 40 award by Waste 360.

Stefure is the fleet director for Western Canada’s Solid Waste division in Edmonton, Alberta, and Taylor is the area fleet director based in Hartland, Wisconsin. Both consider it an honor to be recognized along with their peers.

Waste 360’s 40 Under 40 awards recognize inspiring and innovative professionals under the age of 40 whose work in waste, recycling and organics have made a significant contribution to the waste and recycling industry.

Stefure and Taylor will be honored, along with the 38 other winners, at a ceremony at Waste Expo in Las Vegas on May 7, 2024.

“I feel extremely honored to be recognized in our industry for my efforts and hard work, and I’m excited to join the ranks of other accomplished young professionals within the waste world,” Stefure said.

Stefure began his career as a heavy equipment technician and apprenticed at a truck dealer in Alberta. After becoming a licensed technician, he worked his way up into roles with increasing responsibility. Eventually, he left the tools behind and moved into an entry level maintenance management position in the waste industry, which led to an area level position.

“As GFL made its debut in Western Canada, I was approached with an opportunity to make the move nine years ago and it’s been nothing short of exciting times since,” Stefure said.

Stefure’s main focus is the Western Canada fleet of solid waste trucks, but he also provides operational support to sites and capital management for the area. He also applied his project management skills throughout the design and construction process of the recently opened Calgary MRF (material recovery facility).

In his spare time, Stefure enjoys downhill mountain biking, especially in the Canadian Rockies, and traveling with his fiancée; he’s also excited to be planning their wedding this summer. 

Matthew Taylor admits he was speechless when he found out he received this award.

“I was humbled because this award truly reflects my team’s hard work and accomplishments,” Taylor said.

At age 13, Taylor followed his father’s footsteps into the waste industry when his dad got him a summer job washing trucks. Before long Taylor was helping technicians with repairs on trucks, a “part-time” 40-hour-a-week job he held throughout high school. He continued to work full-time as a lead technician in the waste industry while he pursued his education in fire science, later landing his dream job as a firefighter.

Taylor knew that he had to choose a career direction and the waste industry eventually won out. Over the past 10 years, Taylor has worked his way up to fleet manager, regional maintenance manager and his present position, area fleet director.

“My day-to-day job is guiding the maintenance team in our area,” Taylor said. “I spend the majority of my time meeting with employees at our sites, teaching and coaching our team. Besides making sure our trucks are safe on the road, I also try to be a positive influence on our team.”

Taylor enjoys deer hunting in the fall. On the weekend he loves relaxing with his wife and 4-year-old daughter and smoking some meat on the grill.

Congratulations, Tyler and Matthew!

• Previous
• next