Many of you may know David Biderman, general counsel for the National Solid Wastes Management Association, from his monthly Waste Age column, Safety First. Given Biderman’s usual laser-like focus on safety, you might be surprised to learn, as he divulges in our monthly lighthearted Q&A, that he once threw caution to the wind while in the presence of an active volcano.

Waste Age: What is your pet peeve?

Biderman: Typographical errors (I can’t help it, I’m a lawyer!).

Waste Age: What is your idea of the perfect day?

Biderman: Playing softball followed by a barbecue in my backyard with family and friends.  Adult beverages involved.

Waste Age: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Biderman: “Dress for the job you want to have.”

Waste Age: What was the last book you read?

Biderman: “The Quants: How a New Breed of Math Whizzes Conquered Wall Street and Nearly Destroyed It” by Scott Patterson.

Waste Age: What is your favorite movie?

Biderman: Who you gonna call? “Ghostbusters.”

Waste Age: What is your favorite TV show?

Biderman: “Modern Family.”

Waste Age: Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Biderman: Billy Joel.

Waste Age: What is the strangest piece of trash you’ve ever come across?

Biderman: Still waiting for a really noteworthy one.

Waste Age: Do you prefer the beach or mountains?

Biderman: The beach. The sound of the waves is mesmerizing.

Waste Age: What is the one thing you couldn’t live without?

Biderman: The love and support of my family.

Waste Age: If you could invite three people — living or dead — to a dinner party, who would they be?

Biderman: Moses, Jesus Christ and Abraham Lincoln.  

Waste Age: If you weren’t serving in your current role, what would you like to be?

Biderman: An ESPN sportscaster.

Waste Age: What is your favorite sports team?

Biderman: Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays (Lacrosse)

Waste Age: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Biderman: I’d love to be invisible.

Waste Age: What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done?

Biderman: On our Hawaiian honeymoon, my wife and I hiked several miles to watch the lava flow into the Pacific at sunset. We ignored the “turn back or else” signs, got close enough to feel the heat of the lava, and had to hike back in the dark without a flashlight.

Waste Age: What’s the one talent you have that not many people know about?

Biderman: I am very good with numbers.

If you have suggestions for future interviewees, send them along to [email protected].