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SC SWANA PALMETTO CHAPTER 2026 CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED!

1.  2026 SWANA SC Palmetto Chapter Scholarship Winner:

Timothy F. Bulson

The SWANA SC Board is pleased to announce that it has awarded Timothy Bulson a scholarship for attendance at the SWANA SC Palmetto Chapter Spring Conference to be held May 13 - 15, 2026 at the Hilton Doubletree Resort in Myrtle Beach Oceanfront, SC!  

Timothy Bulson is a lifelong resident of South Carolina and a recent engineering graduate. 

Growing up along the coast on James Island, Tim developed a strong attachment to the natural beauty of South Carolina and a deep appreciation for those who protect our fragile coastal and inland environments. This passion led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of South Carolina, which he completed in December 2025. Shortly after, he accepted a position in the Solid Waste Permitting and Monitoring Section of the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. 

Mr. Bulson received one free conference registration and lodging from May 13-15, 2025. 

Congratulations Tim! 

2. 2026 SC Palmetto Chapter of SWANA Johnny Schnabel Regulator Scholarship  Winners:

Tim Eleazor and John Abernathy

In December 2024, the solid waste community lost one of its longstanding “regulators”. From landfills, to tires and even compost, Johnny was instrumental in permitting numerous solid waste management facilities. Also known by many as the “Ragin Cajun” due to his roots to his home state of Louisiana, Johnny loved his job as a solid waste permitting engineer at the SC Department of Health & Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and although he loved all things Cajun, he ultimately made South Carolina his home. Johnny began working for the Solid Waste Facilities Engineering Section at SCDHEC in February 1992 shortly after the passage of the Solid Waste Policy and Management Act of 1991. The Act encouraged regionalization of landfills and required new municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills to meet the requirements of Section 258 of the Federal Subtitle D regulations to include synthetic liners and leachate collection systems. As the Department worked with counties and private waste companies to close unlined landfills and permit new lined MSW landfills, Johnny played an integral part in the permitting of many of our landfills that are still in operation today. Johnny worked in the Solid Waste Section his entire time at SCDHEC until he retired in June 2016 with over 34 years of service to the Department and more importantly the solid waste industry. In that role he mentored dozens of staff members both young and old, passing on his years of experience and knowledge.

In memory of Johnny and his contributions to the solid waste industry, the SC Palmetto Chapter of SWANA  awarded two scholarships to two regulators for the 2025 Spring Conference. The Scholarships paid for attendance and lodging at the conference. 

Tim Eleazor:  

Tim has worked as a regulator for the State of South Carolina for over 38 years.  Nineteen of those years have been in the Solid Waste Permitting and Monitoring Section. Tim worked directly with Johnny Schnabel for nine and half years until his retirement and shared an office with him for several months. Tim is interested in helping promote Johnny Schnabel’s Solid Waste permitting legacy for learning new things. 

John Abernathy:

John worked with Johnny for many years during his time at SCDHEC and respected him as a permit engineer and for his humor and mentorship. Johnny looks forward to learning about emerging technologies, regulatory interpretations, operational challenges and industry perspectives at the 2026 SWANA SC Conference!