Team Member – Valerie Nokes

by | Jun 5, 2024

Valerie Nokes

Director of Communications

When Valerie heard that her friend Lincoln was looking for an assistant, she eagerly took the job and describes it as the “best decision I have made.” Funny, motivated, and strong-willed, she soon became the director of communications at Rockwood, energetically tackling every challenge the job sent her way. Valerie treasures the friendships she has made at Rockwood, and the camaraderie she shares with her coworkers feels like family. When she isn’t at work, you can find Valerie hanging out or doing yoga with her twin sister or cheering on just about any sporting event, especially if the Tennessee Volunteers are playing.

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Jordan Chambers

LEED Coordinator

Jordan grew up in Lebanon, Tennessee, and at age 19 began working with Lincoln Young in road construction. When Lincoln later started Rockwood, Jordan was happy to eventually make the move to join his growing company. Meticulous, empathetic, and straightforward, Jordan loves the structure of her job, the people she gets to work with, and the family-friendly values Rockwood emphasizes. Speaking of loving the people she gets to work with, Jordan actually met her now-husband at Rockwood, and Lincoln himself officiated their wedding. In her free time, Jordan enjoys spending time outdoors, especially doing yard work, and hanging out with her kids.

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Jackey Whaley

Yard Manager / Onsite Operations Manager

Born and raised in Tennessee, Jackey was drawn to Rockwood by a desire to learn something new and to become familiar with the recycling industry. It didn’t take long for him to realize he thrived in the people-centric, community-driven environment at Rockwood, and he soon became the company’s onsite operations manager. One of Jackey’s greatest joys is making people happy, and building relationships with each of Rockwood’s customers is his favorite aspect of his job. Hardworking, kind, and considerate, Jackey’s big heart and willing attitude to help anyone, anytime, anywhere endear him to both his coworkers and his customers. In his free time, Jackey enjoys going hunting and offering help to people in his community.

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Lisa Anderson

Office Manager

Originally from the “Land Between Lakes” in Murray, KY, Lisa was drawn to the recycling industry and soon found a home at Rockwood as the office manager. Caring, strong, and determined, Lisa loves that her job gives her opportunities for community service with schools and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In her free time, she loves being outside, riding horses, and listening to Christian music.

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Roy Cantillano

Sales

A Tennessee resident for nearly 30 years, Roy originally arrived to study aviation but soon heard the sustainability industry calling his name. After ten years in the business, he has a great appreciation for Rockwood’s philosophy and vision for material management. Roy loves that every project is unique and provides a different way for him to run the extra mile for his customers. Roy is determined, a great leader, and a man of faith, and he was the first person to bring recycled rubber materials to Costa Rica for use in playgrounds, sidewalks, and trails. He also brought smart LED screens to Central and South America for the safety/security industry. When he isn’t at work, Roy loves to spend time with his family, watch soccer games, cook, read, study politics, and go to the beach.

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Amy Spears

Accounting / Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable

A loyal Tennessee native, Amy heads up the accounting team at Rockwood. Having worked with Lincoln at a previous job, she was excited when the opportunity came for her to join Rockwood. Amy values the family-friendly atmosphere at the company. She loves her coworkers and the fact that everyone truly cares about each other’s families. Dependable and honest, Amy is the perfect fit to lead the accounting team. When she isn’t with her team or spoiling her 10 grandkids, Amy loves spending time with her family, especially playing golf with her husband and attending sporting events together.

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Doug Giles

Business / End Market Development

Doug met Lincoln Young while serving on the Tennessee Recycling Coalition Board of Directors. At that time, he said that if he ever had the chance to work with Lincoln and his team, he would jump at it. Soon a career opportunity at Rockwood presented itself, and Doug jumped. Honest, hardworking, and driven, Doug thoroughly enjoys the team-focused mindset at Rockwood and the company’s mission to make a difference in their community by helping customers meet their sustainability goals. He and his wife raise Simmental cattle, and he assists in coaching his three daughters’ softball teams, as well as helps them show pigs at local, state, and national shows. He enjoys following the Tennessee Volunteers, and during baseball season, he cheers on the Cincinnati Reds.

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Valerie Nokes

Director of Communications

When Valerie heard that her friend Lincoln was looking for an assistant, she eagerly took the job and describes it as the “best decision I have made.” Funny, motivated, and strong-willed, she soon became the director of communications at Rockwood, energetically tackling every challenge the job sent her way. Valerie treasures the friendships she has made at Rockwood, and the camaraderie she shares with her coworkers feels like family. When she isn’t at work, you can find Valerie hanging out or doing yoga with her twin sister or cheering on just about any sporting event, especially if the Tennessee Volunteers are playing.

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Charlie Young

Dispatch Logistics Manager / Chief Logistics Operator

In 2019, Charlie graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in organizational leadership. But when Covid led to furlough at his post-college job, he began several part-time jobs. Lincoln met with him about potential opportunities for Charlie to help him at Rockwood, and the rest is history. Charlie thrives on the energy he gets from winning bids and closing deals on new accounts to help Rockwood continue its growth. His humor, intelligence, and caring nature make him a favorite of his customers and coworkers alike. When Charlie isn’t at work, he loves spending time with his wife Morgan, fishing, golfing, and watching sports, especially boxing. In fact, he enjoys boxing so much, he practices it as well.

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Charles “Diesel” Hartsell

Chief Operating Officer

Born in North Carolina but mostly raised in Tennessee, Charles “Diesel” Hartsell has been with Rockwood since 2017 and serves as the company’s chief operating officer. Diesel has seen Rockwood grow from two trucks and 22 dumpsters to 20 trucks and 130 dumpsters! He studied Business Management at Fayetteville Tech and is a US Army veteran. Diesel loves working with all the different people who come to Rockwood, whether they are part of his crew or customers. When he isn’t at work, Diesel enjoys spending time with his wife Novita and their children and grandchildren.

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Robert Cravens

Chief Financial Officer

Dedicated, observant, and analytical, Robert has the skill set to not only work alongside his long-time friend Lincoln, but also to help him grow his business. Collaborating with someone he respects and trusts means a lot to Robert, and he is grateful for the opportunity to lend his solid work ethic and quiet spirit to the Rockwood team. One of Robert’s favorite aspects of his job is working with customers to find unique and financially viable ways to handle their waste materials. He also enjoys planning future projects and working with people who put integrity above profit. When he isn’t at work, Robert loves spending time with his wife and two daughters, golfing, grilling, and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers.

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Lincoln Young

President

Lincoln is the president and owner of Rockwood. He grew up in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, where he gained a love of construction by working with his mother, a residential home builder. Truck rides, work sites, subcontractors, and project management were part of his upbringing. After graduating from Tennessee Tech University with a marketing degree, Lincoln began his career as a project manager for a commercial construction company. The economic downturn in 2008 forced Lincoln out of home building and into roofing. He became passionate about recycling infrastructure and advancing recycling across Tennessee. Through this passion, he developed Rockwood Recycling in 2017.

In 2019, Lincoln purchased the company and rebranded to Rockwood Sustainable Solutions. Since then, Lincoln has continued to develop recycling and reuse markets along with many other sustainable partnerships and businesses. “I am honored and humbled that I get to lead such a great group of men and women at Rockwood. Our team is family. We have a shared vision of creating an excellent sustainability company. It’s a lot of fun being part of the journey. Thank you, team.” Outside of work, Lincoln’s priorities are his relationships with God, his wife Amy, and his sons Cole and Cade.

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Nicole Michell

Accounting

When Nicole was brought on to Rockwood’s accounting team, her loyalty, motivation, and diligent work ethic quickly endeared her to her teammates.

Originally from Indiana, Nicole moved to Tennessee to be near her sister, not realizing how much the move would change her life. Getting to work at Rockwood has not only caused Nicole to develop an interest in the recycling industry, but also provided an opportunity for her to build relationships with her coworkers—her favorite part of the job: “Rockwood has the best [people] that I’ve worked with and an owner that truly cares.”

When she’s not with her team, Nicole enjoys spending time with her daughter, renovating her home, reading, and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers.

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