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OUR TEAM
James Gardner
Founder and CEO
He is a scrap and scrap substitute production and supply professional with over 20 years experience in the mining, metals, and recycling industry. Mr. Gardner has owned and operated iron ore mines, ship-breaking projects (Fresno and San Leandro ferries in Joaquin River), and scrap yards as well as large slag reclamation and recycling sites. He has extensive experience in metallurgical grading and processing solutions for mining as well as slag processing and beneficial repurposing. Previously, he was a Co-Founder/Partner for North American Metallurgic Solutions (NAMS), a beneficial repurposing facility, with two locations and four briquette lines. Prior to that he was an Owner/Partner in SKY Recycling where he developed an agglomeration process and formula to reclaim and recycle high grade ferro alloys, titanium, carbon, HCFM, Fe-Mo, KO-61 and other valuable alloys. Prior to that he developed and proved out 463MM tons of iron ore, developed the drill program and secured permitting. In Chile he developed and installed an iron ore (magnetite) plant and camp in the Atacama Desert, producing 10,000 tons/month of 63.5% grade iron ore.
He is a scrap and scrap substitute production and supply professional with over 20 years experience in the mining, metals, and recycling industry. Mr. Gardner has owned and operated iron ore mines, ship-breaking projects (Fresno and San Leandro ferries in Joaquin River), and scrap yards as well as large slag reclamation and recycling sites. He has extensive experience in metallurgical grading and processing solutions for mining as well as slag processing and beneficial repurposing. Previously, he was a Co-Founder/Partner for North American Metallurgic Solutions (NAMS), a beneficial repurposing facility, with two locations and four briquette lines. Prior to that he was an Owner/Partner in SKY Recycling where he developed an agglomeration process and formula to reclaim and recycle high grade ferro alloys, titanium, carbon, HCFM, Fe-Mo, KO-61 and other valuable alloys. Prior to that he developed and proved out 463MM tons of iron ore, developed the drill program and secured permitting. In Chile he developed and installed an iron ore (magnetite) plant and camp in the Atacama Desert, producing 10,000 tons/month of 63.5% grade iron ore.
Cari Wright
EVP Operations
She has over 30 years of experience in the metal and waste recycling industries. Previously, she was a consultant for Compass, KCom Environmental, as well as others, advising on industrial processing and recycling as well as site layout. She founded Wisdom Environmental, an environmental recycling and consulting company that processed steel and alloy slags and marketed their beneficial reuse. At Kemark Environmental she started their new division for non-hazardous and hazardous waste. She earned her BA in Chemistry and Political Science with a concentration in Environmental Policy from Indiana University.
She has over 30 years of experience in the metal and waste recycling industries. Previously, she was a consultant for Compass, KCom Environmental, as well as others, advising on industrial processing and recycling as well as site layout. She founded Wisdom Environmental, an environmental recycling and consulting company that processed steel and alloy slags and marketed their beneficial reuse. At Kemark Environmental she started their new division for non-hazardous and hazardous waste. She earned her BA in Chemistry and Political Science with a concentration in Environmental Policy from Indiana University.
Richard Kessler
Director – Business Logistics Operations
ZWTL Industrial Services LLC
Mr. Richard Kessler serves as a Director of ZWTL Industrial Services LLC, where he oversees
the Company's business development and logistics operations. With more than five decades of
experience in transportation, intermodal logistics, containerization, and waste transportation
systems, Mr. Kessler brings extensive industry knowledge and operational expertise to the
Company.
Following his honorable service in the United States Army, Mr. Kessler entered the
transportation industry through the heavy truck parts sector. In 1972, he became one of the first
industry professionals to market retired ocean shipping containers for non-shipping commercial
applications, helping pioneer a market that has since become a significant segment of the
transportation and recycling industries.
Throughout his career, Mr. Kessler has played a key role in the development and implementation
of transportation and logistics projects for major organizations, including General Electric, Yang
Ming Marine Transport Corporation, Tully Construction, Inc., and International Terminal
Operators. He also developed and commercialized chassis conversion systems utilized by several
steamship companies to improve intermodal transportation efficiency.
In the mid-1990s, Mr. Kessler helped develop one of the first modified ocean container systems
converted into live-floor units for the transportation of municipal solid waste (MSW). These
innovative systems were deployed to replace traditional live-load trailers used to transport waste
from New Jersey transfer stations to Pennsylvania landfills. Since 1995, he has worked closely
with container manufacturers to design specialized waste transportation containers for truck-to-
rail applications, including watertight door systems and removable steel lid configurations that
have become standard features in the waste logistics industry.
A native of New Jersey, Mr. Kessler attended Virginia Commonwealth University and served in
the United States Army from 1967 through 1970, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. His
extensive experience in transportation, logistics, intermodal systems, and waste management
infrastructure provides valuable strategic guidance to ZWTL's continued growth and operational
development.
ZWTL Industrial Services LLC
Mr. Richard Kessler serves as a Director of ZWTL Industrial Services LLC, where he oversees
the Company's business development and logistics operations. With more than five decades of
experience in transportation, intermodal logistics, containerization, and waste transportation
systems, Mr. Kessler brings extensive industry knowledge and operational expertise to the
Company.
Following his honorable service in the United States Army, Mr. Kessler entered the
transportation industry through the heavy truck parts sector. In 1972, he became one of the first
industry professionals to market retired ocean shipping containers for non-shipping commercial
applications, helping pioneer a market that has since become a significant segment of the
transportation and recycling industries.
Throughout his career, Mr. Kessler has played a key role in the development and implementation
of transportation and logistics projects for major organizations, including General Electric, Yang
Ming Marine Transport Corporation, Tully Construction, Inc., and International Terminal
Operators. He also developed and commercialized chassis conversion systems utilized by several
steamship companies to improve intermodal transportation efficiency.
In the mid-1990s, Mr. Kessler helped develop one of the first modified ocean container systems
converted into live-floor units for the transportation of municipal solid waste (MSW). These
innovative systems were deployed to replace traditional live-load trailers used to transport waste
from New Jersey transfer stations to Pennsylvania landfills. Since 1995, he has worked closely
with container manufacturers to design specialized waste transportation containers for truck-to-
rail applications, including watertight door systems and removable steel lid configurations that
have become standard features in the waste logistics industry.
A native of New Jersey, Mr. Kessler attended Virginia Commonwealth University and served in
the United States Army from 1967 through 1970, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. His
extensive experience in transportation, logistics, intermodal systems, and waste management
infrastructure provides valuable strategic guidance to ZWTL's continued growth and operational
development.
Andrew H. Kaufman
Director and COO
Andrew H. Kaufman is a seasoned entrepreneur, executive, and business developer
with more than 35 years of experience in infrastructure development, transportation,
waste management, recycling, logistics, finance, and corporate leadership. Throughout
his career, Mr. Kaufman has successfully launched, financed, operated, and exited
numerous businesses across multiple industries, including rail transportation, recycling,
waste management, real estate development, and industrial infrastructure.
Mr. Kaufman served previously as President of Brookhaven Rail Terminal, where he
has led the company’s strategic growth, operational management, capital formation
initiatives, and infrastructure development since 2007. Under his leadership, the
company successfully expanded its market presence through strategic partnerships,
investor relations, and acquisition opportunities while maintaining regulatory compliance
and operational excellence.
Prior to Brookhaven Rail Terminal, Mr. Kaufman served as Chief Executive Officer of
Rail Waste Holdings, LLC, where he conceived, financed, and launched a rail-based
waste transportation and disposal enterprise. He also served as President of E-Rail
Logistics, LLC, developing and operating rail transload facilities supporting waste and
bulk commodity transportation throughout the Northeast.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Kaufman led the development, financing, construction, and
start-up of major industrial recycling facilities, including recycled paper pulp mills
processing approximately 700 tons per day. His experience includes equity capital
raises, bond underwriting, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, and large-scale
infrastructure development projects.
Mr. Kaufman has extensive experience raising seed and angel capital, structuring
business ventures, negotiating strategic partnerships, and managing complex
operational organizations. His expertise spans corporate finance, business
development, transportation logistics, waste-to-resource solutions, and industrial project
development.
In addition to his executive leadership roles, Mr. Kaufman has served on numerous
corporate, civic, and charitable boards. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of
Empire Diversified Energy and has held leadership positions with the Planting Fields
Foundation, the City of Glen Cove Planning Board, the YMCA of Glen Cove, Empire
River Rail, and the Port of West Virginia.
Mr. Kaufman’s extensive experience in infrastructure development, capital markets,
transportation logistics, and corporate governance provides valuable strategic guidance
to the Board of Directors of ZWTL Industrial Services, Inc.
Andrew H. Kaufman is a seasoned entrepreneur, executive, and business developer
with more than 35 years of experience in infrastructure development, transportation,
waste management, recycling, logistics, finance, and corporate leadership. Throughout
his career, Mr. Kaufman has successfully launched, financed, operated, and exited
numerous businesses across multiple industries, including rail transportation, recycling,
waste management, real estate development, and industrial infrastructure.
Mr. Kaufman served previously as President of Brookhaven Rail Terminal, where he
has led the company’s strategic growth, operational management, capital formation
initiatives, and infrastructure development since 2007. Under his leadership, the
company successfully expanded its market presence through strategic partnerships,
investor relations, and acquisition opportunities while maintaining regulatory compliance
and operational excellence.
Prior to Brookhaven Rail Terminal, Mr. Kaufman served as Chief Executive Officer of
Rail Waste Holdings, LLC, where he conceived, financed, and launched a rail-based
waste transportation and disposal enterprise. He also served as President of E-Rail
Logistics, LLC, developing and operating rail transload facilities supporting waste and
bulk commodity transportation throughout the Northeast.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Kaufman led the development, financing, construction, and
start-up of major industrial recycling facilities, including recycled paper pulp mills
processing approximately 700 tons per day. His experience includes equity capital
raises, bond underwriting, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, and large-scale
infrastructure development projects.
Mr. Kaufman has extensive experience raising seed and angel capital, structuring
business ventures, negotiating strategic partnerships, and managing complex
operational organizations. His expertise spans corporate finance, business
development, transportation logistics, waste-to-resource solutions, and industrial project
development.
In addition to his executive leadership roles, Mr. Kaufman has served on numerous
corporate, civic, and charitable boards. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of
Empire Diversified Energy and has held leadership positions with the Planting Fields
Foundation, the City of Glen Cove Planning Board, the YMCA of Glen Cove, Empire
River Rail, and the Port of West Virginia.
Mr. Kaufman’s extensive experience in infrastructure development, capital markets,
transportation logistics, and corporate governance provides valuable strategic guidance
to the Board of Directors of ZWTL Industrial Services, Inc.
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