Willie Shanks
Waste Management Consultant and Manager Willie Shanks at Flatwood Refuse and Recycling in Washington, Va.
Willie Shanks
Born and raised in Rappahannock, Willie Shanks built a career from the ground up. From “pushing a broom to running a crew,” Shanks worked for Zindel Construction building homes throughout the county, and, later, as a maintenance engineer at Wakefield Country Day School in Huntly before taking on his current role managing Flatwood.
A father of four who recently became a grandfather, Shanks lives in Washington. He enjoys DIY projects and is always ready to lend a hand to others in the community.
Shanks’ favorite thing about working at Flatwood? “I love how many people I get to see during the course of a day. Having lived in the county my whole life, I know just about everyone. Working at Flatwood wouldn’t be as fun without the people.”
Surja Tamang
Surja Tamang, manager of the Amissville Refuse & Recycling Center
Surja Tamang
A native of Nepal, Surja Tamang met his American-born wife, Medge Carter, in 2004 while working as a guide in and around Mount Everest. The two married the following year, and Tamang joined Carter in Rappahannock County where she was an environmental health specialist with the Virginia Department of Health. He took a job working for a local land surveyor and, later, for the Fauquier County Collection Site. He has managed the Amissville facility since 2014.
“Connecting with people is what I love about my job,” says Tamang. “I like to help people – it makes me happy.”
In addition to tending to his herb and vegetable garden, Tamang and his wife hike the Shenandoah region every chance they get.
