Finding Growth Opportunities at Athens Services

Waste and recycling professionals work hard every day to protect the environment for all of us. We’ve all seen the drivers who collect our waste and recycling, but there are many more workers behind the scenes. All of them deserve our thanks for the work they do.

Finding Growth Opportunities at Athens Services

From day one, Operations Supervisor Steve Diaz set his sights to grow and establish his career.

Steve Diaz stepped into the Operations Supervisor role two months ago and has been with Athens Services for the past seven years. He started as a Helper and on his very first day told his supervisor he had his sights set on growing within the company.

At first, Steve took a leap of faith. He left a higher paying job for the stability and growth opportunities he had heard about at Athens. It was Martel Ramirez, Steve’s father-in-law and a dedicated Commercial Driver at Athens for over 30 years, who provided valuable encouragement and urged him to apply. Martel’s dedication to Athens served as a testament to the potential rewards that awaited Steve, bolstering his confidence in making this life-changing career decision.

As a Helper, Steve’s focus was to learn the waste and recycling industry and obtain his commercial license. From there he was promoted to a Driver. Recognizing Steve’s exceptional problem-solving abilities and remarkable efficiency, Logistics Supervisor Mark Martinez suggested he embrace new challenges as a Utility Driver. 

After about a year in this role, Steve was promoted again to a Lead Driver. He has serviced communities all over the San Gabriel Valley including Altadena, Azusa, Glendora, West Covina, and more. Today, he oversees operations in La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and large accounts like NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Throughout his journey, Steve put in the hard work and demonstrated his capabilities to get the job done. He continued to exceed expectations by pulling extra hours when needed and servicing his routes in a timely manner. His work ethic did not go unnoticed and has carried him to succeed in his current position.

“I have no intention of halting my professional growth,” said Steve. He hopes to retire with the company many years down the line, just like his father-in-law did. Steve and encourages others to consider a career with Athens, “As long as you come in hungry, I recommend it.”

Steve is married to his wife of 10 years Erika, with whom he shares three children, Steve (11), Emily (9), and Sergio (7). Their family currently resides in La Verne where they bought a house last year. In his free time, Steve finds great joy in remodeling the property alongside his brothers.

Steve’s journey is a shining example of the many career opportunities that await individuals at Athens. If you are looking for professional development, to grow your skills, or explore different career pathways, visit AthensServices.com/Careers.

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