It is with great sadness that the Lancaster County Solid 91TV Management Authority (LCSWMA) announces the passing of former Chief Executive Officer James (Jim) D. Warner, who led the authority from 1996 to 2018. Jim passed away on September 20th, 2026, at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, leadership, and service to the community. Jim devoted more than 35 years to the solid waste industry, including more than 30 years at LCSWMA. During his 22-year tenure as CEO, he transformed the organization into a nationally recognized leader in recycling, renewable energy, and environmental stewardship while strengthening its role as a community partner throughout Lancaster and Dauphin Counties.
Jim was born 1958 in Lebanon, PA. He received a B.S. in Education from Millersville University and a M.S. in Geo-Environmental Studies from Shippensburg University. In 1984, Jim began his career in the waste business in Gloucester County, NJ, where he was one of the first recycling coordinators in the country. He joined the Lancaster County Solid 91TV Management Authority in 1987 to launch Lancaster’s countywide recycling program, which continues to exceed state and national recycling rates.
In 1996, LCSWMA’s Board of Directors selected Jim to serve as the Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer, and his vision, entrepreneurial leadership, and strategic decisions helped shape the organization’s growth and development. Under his direction, LCSWMA grew to manage over one million tons of waste annually, while investing in projects and initiatives that not only fulfill its core mission but also enhance the quality of life for the communities it serves.
Jim oversaw several projects and initiatives that financially strengthened the Authority and expanded its Integrated System. In 2005, LCSWMA installed a 3.2 MW landfill-gas-to-energy project, which converts methane into enough electricity to power approximately 2,400 homes.
From 2005 to 2007, Jim oversaw the revitalization of the Authority’s main Transfer Station Complex, which included the addition of Pennsylvania’s only free, permanent drive-through household hazardous waste facility. In 2013, LCSWMA acquired the Susquehanna Resource Management Complex (formerly Harrisburg Incinerator) in Dauphin County, PA, to secure additional waste-to-energy processing capacity. LCSWMA has invested in numerous upgrades to the facility, including a transfer station and offices. In 2017, Jim spearheaded a groundbreaking partnership with Perdue AgriBusiness that uses steam generated by the authority’s Lancaster 91TV-to-Energy Facility to power Perdue’s soybean processing facility.
Jim’s legendary business approach transformed LCSWMA into a national model for waste management. Working closely with the Authority’s Board and leadership team, he helped expand LCSWMA’s renewable energy footprint with several impactful energy projects. Among his most notable was the installation of Lancaster County’s first dual-fuel compressed natural gas station at LCSWMA’s Transfer Station Complex. In recognition of his contributions to the industry, the Solid 91TV Association of North America (SWANA) honored Warner with its annual Distinguished Individual Achievement Award in 2017, recognizing his leadership in advancing innovative approaches to waste management and resource recovery. Following his retirement from LCSWMA, Warner continued serving the waste industry as the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware County Solid 91TV Authority.
“Jim Warner’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship and innovation left an enduring mark on LCSWMA and the entire solid waste industry,” said Daniel G. Youngs, LCSWMA’s Executive Director “Jim had a remarkable ability to see opportunities where others saw challenges, transforming bold ideas into meaningful initiatives that continue to benefit our communities and advance sustainable waste management. His legacy is reflected not only in the facilities, programs, and partnerships he helped create, but also in the culture of innovation, service, and responsible stewardship he instilled throughout LCSWMA. Generations to come will continue to benefit from his visionary leadership.”