Dean Buntrock
Encyclopedia
Dean L. Buntrock is the founder and former chairman and CEO
of Waste Management, Inc.
, Buntrock began learning about business working for his father, Rudy Buntrock, who managed the International Harvester farm equipment dealership, hardware store, and Standard Oil Bulk Station. At an early age, Dean showed signs that he was an entrepreneur by raising his own chickens and growing potatoes to sell to local restaurants. In 1952, during the Korean War
, Dean went into the army. He attended finance school at Fort Benjamin Harrison
. After he was discharged, Dean went back to St. Olaf College
(where the current student center, Buntrock Commons, is named after him) and graduated in 1955. In 1956, when Dean's father-in-law died, Dean was brought to manage the family business. The company at that time operated 12 garbage trucks and had revenues each year of $750,000. Dean quickly realized the largest profits were in the disposal of garbage. Buntrock formed a national association for waste management and served as its first president.
's and Larry Beck's disposal companies. Their merger formed Waste Management, Inc. After going public, the company saw tremendous growth over the next 20 years. In the early 1970s, Waste Management, Inc. grew to a worldwide waste disposal company operating in 21 countries. They provided clean water, clean energy, and environmental consulting services, as well as the waste disposal service which earned them revenues of over $10 billion. In 1993, the name of the company was changed to WMX Technologies.
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Waste Management, Inc.
Early career
Born in Columbia, South DakotaColumbia, South Dakota
Columbia is a city in Brown County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 136 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Columbia is located at ....
, Buntrock began learning about business working for his father, Rudy Buntrock, who managed the International Harvester farm equipment dealership, hardware store, and Standard Oil Bulk Station. At an early age, Dean showed signs that he was an entrepreneur by raising his own chickens and growing potatoes to sell to local restaurants. In 1952, during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Dean went into the army. He attended finance school at Fort Benjamin Harrison
Fort Benjamin Harrison
Fort Benjamin Harrison was a U.S. Army post located in suburban Lawrence, Indiana, northeast of Indianapolis. It is named for the 23rd United States President, Benjamin Harrison. Land was purchased in 1903, with the post being officially named for President Harrison in honor of Indianapolis being...
. After he was discharged, Dean went back to St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College is a coeducational, residential, four-year, private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, United States. It was founded in 1874 by a group of Norwegian-American immigrant pastors and farmers, led by Pastor Bernt Julius Muus. The college is named after Olaf II of Norway,...
(where the current student center, Buntrock Commons, is named after him) and graduated in 1955. In 1956, when Dean's father-in-law died, Dean was brought to manage the family business. The company at that time operated 12 garbage trucks and had revenues each year of $750,000. Dean quickly realized the largest profits were in the disposal of garbage. Buntrock formed a national association for waste management and served as its first president.
Merger
In 1968, Dean combined his company with Wayne HuizengaWayne Huizenga
Harry Wayne Huizenga is an American businessman who grew Blockbuster Video, Waste Management, Inc., and AutoNation into successful companies. He is the former owner of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins, the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers and the Major League Baseball's Miami...
's and Larry Beck's disposal companies. Their merger formed Waste Management, Inc. After going public, the company saw tremendous growth over the next 20 years. In the early 1970s, Waste Management, Inc. grew to a worldwide waste disposal company operating in 21 countries. They provided clean water, clean energy, and environmental consulting services, as well as the waste disposal service which earned them revenues of over $10 billion. In 1993, the name of the company was changed to WMX Technologies.