Success Stories
SUCCESS STORIES
From Family Roots to AI-Powered Innovation: Northeast Waste Solutions Builds for the Future with First Oklahoma Bank
For more than four decades, the Kannady family has been serving the Tulsa community through the waste and recycling industry.
Today, under the leadership of Jason Kannady, Northeast Waste Solutions is transforming what many people think of as a traditional industry by investing in cutting-edge technology, expanding operations, and building partnerships that support long-term growth.
A Family Business Built on Hard Work
Waste collection isn’t an industry most people stumble into. According to Jason Kannady, many successful waste companies begin as family-owned businesses that grow over generations through hard work, perseverance, and community relationships.
“We’ve been in the business since the 1980s,” said Kannady. “It’s been a family business ever since I was a little kid.”
In 2012, Northeast Waste Solutions secured the hauling contract for the City of Tulsa’s residential waste and recycling services. Since then, the company has continued to expand its capabilities while maintaining its commitment to serving local residents.
Today, Northeast Waste Solutions employs between 135 and 150 team members and services approximately 123,000 to 125,000 residential accounts throughout Tulsa.
Finding the Right Banking Partner
Growth in the waste and recycling industry requires significant investment. From specialized equipment and fleet maintenance to fuel, insurance, and payroll, operating a large-scale collection business comes with substantial financial demands.
For Jason Kannady and Northeast Waste Solutions, finding the right banking partner was critical as the company prepared for its next phase of growth.
“Even in the waste industry, you need a great bank,” Kannady said.
After evaluating several options, Northeast Waste Solutions chose First Oklahoma Bank because the conversation focused on more than financing. CEO Tom Bennett III and the commercial banking team took the time to understand the company’s long-term goals and build a strategy designed to strengthen the business for years to come.
“When we met with Tom Bennett and Blake Barrett, the feeling was that they wanted to put together a plan to get us out of perpetual debt,” Kannady said. “That was the largest selling point, even with other banks competing.”
Rather than creating another borrowing relationship, First Oklahoma Bank helped provide a path toward long-term financial stability.
“A lot of small businesses never have the opportunity to work out of debt,” Kannady said. “Seeing an open door down the road where we can actually get past debt, we thought that was the best opportunity for us.”
Banking Built on Relationships
The transition to First Oklahoma Bank was seamless for Northeast Waste Solutions.
“The team of people at First Oklahoma Bank is second to none,” Kannady said. “They’ve been really supportive of myself and our team. We don’t dread making a phone call. We look forward to the visit.”
For Kannady, one of the biggest advantages of working with a community bank is accessibility.
“What’s really nice about banking here is you have access to the CEO, Tom Bennett, if you need to,” he said. “I’ve called him on several occasions, especially at the beginning of our project, and his availability is still there today.”
As a company that prioritizes working with local partners, Northeast Waste Solutions appreciates having direct access to decision-makers.
“One of the first things we look at is who we can do business with that are local,” Kannady said. “First Oklahoma Bank is as local as it comes. How often do you get to have a conversation with the CEO of a bank at that level?”
That personal connection has made such an impact that Kannady often recommends First Oklahoma Bank to fellow business owners.
“Being a small business owner, you kind of flock around to other small business owners,” he said. “I visit often with those other owners of businesses to tell them, ‘The opportunity’s there. You should go visit.'”