CHRIS LUECK

I retired in 2016 after spending 40+ years in the food and beverage industry.  One of the jobs I held was Wine Buyer for a small independent chain of grocery stores in Seattle, where each year we would take at least one buying trip to the Walla Walla Valley in search of wines not available through distribution.  

It was driving home after Spring Release Weekend one year that I began the idea of retiring to the area when the time came.  Then, much to my surprise, my wife agreed the area would be ideal for retirement and in 2018 we made the move.   

Like most retirees, I needed to focus my energy on something that would benefit our new community.  I still had a few winery/winemaker connections in the area and began talking about the idea of doing something about all the wine bottles ending up in the local landfill.  Spending a year doing research with wineries, Department of Ecology/Spokane and Expleco Limited NZ, we developed a circular, fully closed recovery, process and end byproduct usage system.

Ground2Ground Glass (now BIG Recyclers) was formed not by one person but by a whole slew of local residents and a company on the other side of the world.  If you’ve taken the time to look through our website, it means you are concerned about the lack of glass recycling/reuse/repurposing here in the Walla Walla Valley.  

Join us.  We are always looking for volunteers.  Support us financially by purchasing some glass sand for your next landscaping project.  Reach out to our local and state elected officials and express your concern about the lack of environmentally sustainable industries and recycling facilities in rural Washington counties.   

Together, we are making a difference.     

KATIE MASFERRER

A native of the Oregon coast, I first came to Walla Walla in 1999 to attend Whitman College. After college, my husband, Roberto, and I completed a Peace Corps assignment in Peru, where we focused on community health, but did additional projects in business, environment, and youth development. 

After a successful two years of making a tangible difference in a community, we moved to Portland and I founded a nonprofit to continue the work. I served six years out of seven years as Executive Director, during which we completed projects in four different communities. Finally, we decided to dissolve the nonprofit, as the board members became mired in daily life and growing families.

We had two children in those years, and decided it was time to move back to Walla Walla, where we had always envisioned raising our family. I was hired back to Abeja Inn and Winery (where I had worked during my college years), holding a various positions over two years, before becoming a stay-at-home mom.

With my children getting older I have been drawn back into my love of serving a community. I had already decided to focus on the glass recycling program when I came across Chris and his project, far ahead of where I was in the process. I decided to get behind his effort so we could combine our energies and make an even bigger impact. 

ANDY ZAHL

Andy Zahl graduated from Walla Walla High School in 2013 having appreciated an education in and out of the classroom with FFA, band, drama, rodeo, and rugby. After serving as an FFA state officer, he attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with an International Agribusiness degree with a minor in Spanish. He sold animal pharmaceuticals through the Midwest before returning home to Walla Walla in 2019. He is enjoying his work as the manager at Kontos Cellars.

Outside of the tasting room, Andy is involved in sustainability projects such as glass recycling and his family’s farm ground, getting into the mountains, and advocating for local students.

ANDY SLUSARENKO

Local to The Walla Walla Valley, I grew up on my family’s apple orchard, in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. After completing my Turf Management degree I was hired to install and manage the chip and putt at Three Rivers Winery. Fast forward 22+ years, I am now General Manager and Assistant Winemaker at Three Rivers and take care of everything related to the winery. Heading up the sustainability initiative at the winery, I am always looking for ways to improve upon our impact on the environment.

My hobbies include family camping trips, fishing, cooking, gardening and making hot sauce.