Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority Names New Executive Director

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority has named a new executive director as its longtime leader gets ready to retire.

Jason Neidig will succeed Ted Onufrak, who is retiring after 35 years of service with the authority. Neidig is scheduled to start at CCRRA on July 28.

Neidig has been executive director of the Sunbury Municipal Authority in Northumberland County since 2019, according to a CCRRA release. With an $11.5 million operating budget and 33 employees, the Sunbury Authority handles sewer, water, solid waste, recycling and flood control for the city and surrounding areas.

His current position makes him “well suited to move the CCRRA forward,” board chair Dennis Hameister said in a statement.

“We also have multiple projects in the works over the next several years. Jason’s qualifications and his dynamic personality make him a good fit for our team and we’re excited to give him this opportunity,” Hameister said.

CCRRA is nearing completion of a $1 million solar array project, will begin the installation of an automated recycling sorting system in November and is expanding its office and maintenance facility over the next two years. The authority also recently acquired the assets of RecycAll, Inc. in McKean County to add a glass processing facility to its existing transfer station and recycling processing facility.

“We’ve got multiple projects in different stages right now and we needed someone who could handle being pulled in several different directions. Jason was the best candidate to fit that scenario” Onufrak said. “He’s also customer service oriented, and that’s extremely important in this business.”

Onufrak will work with Neidig for several weeks, and he will continue to work with CCRRA for the next year “to help ensure a smooth transition,” according to the authority.

“I would like to thank the Board of Directors for their vote of confidence to serve as the next executive director,” Neidig said. “I’m honored to join the team at CCRRA and I’m eager to begin building community partnerships to create opportunities which benefit the residents, institutions and businesses of Centre County.”

CCRRA, which has a $21 million budget and 75 employees, is responsible for providing integrated waste and recycling services countywide. In addition to its facility operations, it provides recycling collection services to more than 28,000 households and nearly 1,000 businesses in Centre County.