American Idol contestant has deep ties to WM
Family has more than 150 years in the waste business
Detroit, Mich. – For the second year in a row, Waste Management is connected to a contestant on American Idol. Last year, the company threw its support behind Candace Glover, the daughter of WM driver John Glover, who later went on to win the competition.
This year, the contestant is Jena Asciutto from Farmington Hills, Mich. On May 15, she made it into the American Idol finals, putting herself in a good position to take home the top prize. Like Glover, Asciutto has some surprisingly very deep ties to Waste Management. In fact, three of her aunts and one cousin are currently employed with the company:
- Lorraine Asciutto, Romulus, Michigan – Operations Specialist – Years of service: 28
- Lois Leach, Wixom, Michigan – National Accounts Sales Coordinator – Years of service: 20
- Lori McDaniel, Wixom, Mich. – Pricing Director – Years of service: 29
- Ron Hall, Southfield, Mich. – Residential Driver – Years of service: 3
“Including other members of the family not currently working for the company, we collectively have close to 150 years of service,” McDaniel said, speaking from the Area office. “In fact, Jena’s grandfather, Joe Asciutto, founded a collection business in 1978 that was later acquired by Waste Management.”
The family’s history with WM also includes Jena’s father, George, who at one time was the co-owner of a waste collection business servicing the Detroit area. In 2009, that company was sold to Waste Management. Today, he works for MPS, a brokerage firm that is currently one the Michigan/Ohio/Indiana Area’s largest customers.
This week’s American Idol airs Tuesday on FOX at 8 p.m. (ET). Voting takes place that night and can be done via phone, Internet or text message. The result will be announced the next day.
Join us on Facebook and Twitter to post photos of your American Idol spirit.
PHOTO: (L-R) Lorraine Asciutto, Jena Asciutto, Lois Leach, and Lori McDaniel