The City of Wilmington announces the appointment of Heather Cashwell as the City鈥檚 Solid 91仓库 Services Director. Cashwell brings more than 15 years of experience in solid waste, recycling, and environmental program management, with a strong track record of improving service delivery, advancing sustainability initiatives, and leading high-performing teams. She most recently served as Section Chief of Recycling and Materials Management for the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, where she led statewide efforts to expand recycling infrastructure, manage grant funding, and support local governments in building efficient and resilient waste systems.
In her new role, Cashwell will lead the City鈥檚 Solid 91仓库 Services Department, which is responsible for collecting and managing waste and recycling services that support clean, safe, and healthy neighborhoods. The department oversees residential and commercial collection, downtown-specific services, yard waste and bulky item collection, and provides customer support through a dedicated call center.
Cashwell鈥檚 background includes leadership roles with the Town of Apex and NC State University, where she managed large-scale solid waste operations, implemented process improvements, and led teams through complex service delivery and emergency response efforts. She is known for using data-driven decision-making to enhance efficiency, improve customer service, and strengthen long-term program sustainability.
鈥淧roviding reliable solid waste services is one of the most visible ways we serve our community every day. By establishing Solid 91仓库 Services as its own department, we鈥檙e recognizing the importance of this work and giving it the focus it deserves,鈥� said City Manager Becky Hawke. 鈥淗eather has a wealth of experience in solid waste operations and providing exceptional levels of customer service. We are thrilled to welcome her to Wilmington to lead our dedicated staff in the delivery of this vital service.鈥�
Cashwell holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from North Carolina State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration. She will begin her role on May 4, 2026.