Ryan J. Lucas, Age 37
Regional Controller, GFL Environmental
Lucas is in charge of financial strategy and all accounting duties associated with the operations of GFL, a trash, recycling, yard waste and disposal company.
“Ryan has been active in the Peoria area while working at O’Brien Steel, PDC and now most recently GFL Environmental,” where he “helps lead our strategy for Illinois and pushes financial results,” said his nominator. “In two brief years, our region is one of the best financial performers in the company. Ryan helps guide us with hitting these targets.”
Outside of work, Lucas is a busy father of five children, acting as a local Junior Football League coach. Meanwhile, he provides untold community service hours through his company’s Full Circle projects. He recently helped EPIC with its community garden and the Ronald McDonald House in Peoria with feeding families there.
Childhood ambition: “Professional athlete.”
Advice to 20-year-old self: “Work can wait, focus on school.”
Hobbies: “Coaching my kiddos and disc golf.”
Bucket list priority: “I want to play disc golf in all 50 states.”
Best advice ever: “Successful people do constantly what others do occasionally.”
Greatest challenge: “Graduating college during the Great Recession and finding a job when there weren’t any.”
Motivating social issues: “Food insecurities within my community.”
Favorite cause: “Riverside Peoria’s Community Fridge.”
Book recommendation: “Winning the War in Your Mind by by Craig Grochel.”
Definition of a leader: “People willing to follow in their footsteps.”
Peoria needs: “A WhirlyBall facility.”
