Oakleaf Hires Steve Preston As President

East Hartford, Conn.-based Oakleaf Waste Management has named Steve Preston president of the firm, effective immediately. Preston served as secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President George W. Bush.

Later this year, Preston will also become CEO of the firm when Jim Barnes moves from that position to become chairman of Oakleaf’s Board of Directors. As chairman, “Barnes will remain active in the business, focusing his efforts on large clients, major vendors and strategic acquisitions,” according to a company press release.

“Having developed and led Oakleaf over the past 14 years, I am delighted to have someone of Steve’s extraordinary talent join our organization to help guide it to the next level,” Barnes said in the press release.