In 1990, Jeff Kendall co-founded Laurel Mountain Partners with Andy Russell and Don Rea. Over the next 35 years, under Jeff’s leadership as CEO, Laurel acquired and developed numerous solid waste assets, hauling companies, landfills and transfer stations. He has led eight consolidations of integrated solid waste companies, most of which were sold either to public companies or to private equity-backed operators.

One company of note was Liberty Tire Recycling, which was built through 46 acquisitions across the United States. At the time, the company recycled about 150 million tires annually (nearly half of all tires in North America) before it was acquired by a private equity firm. Around the same time, Laurel developed the nation’s largest rail-to-landfill business, hauling more than 5,000 tons per day, seven days a week, from South Kearny, New Jersey, via a unit train to the Apex landfill in Ohio. The operation began in 2004 and is now run by Interstate Waste Services with an increased daily volume.

In 2024, Jeff co-founded Laurel Mountain Capital with industry veteran Dickson Suit and now serves as its CEO. The firm currently manages a mezzanine fund that’s actively investing.

In recent years, Jeff has remained active with Laurel, which continues to grow following the passing of Andy and the retirement of Don. Alongside four new partners, he has helped build the largest independent, integrated solid waste business on the western slope of Colorado through about 10 acquisitions. During 2025, Laurel also acquired four waste and compost collection businesses to establish a new solid waste hauling and recycling operation in the greater Denver area.

Jeff began his career at Exxon Chemical after earning a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. After two years with Exxon, he attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, graduating magna cum laude. He began his legal career practicing at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in Philadelphia before joining his longtime partners in 1984, which led to the formation of Laurel Mountain Partners in 1990.

He is married with four children and five grandchildren and is an active sportsman who enjoys golf, tennis, paddle, fishing and skiing.