Behind every successful leader is often a quiet force, a mentor who helped shape the way forward. For Brendon J. Pantano, that force has always been his father.

Long before Brendon led one of the fastest-growing environmental services companies in the state, he was learning the fundamentals of leadership from the ground up. Those lessons still guide him as founder and CEO of Coastal Waste & Recycling. “I was fortunate to grow up in the business and had great role models in my father, Dennis Pantano, and my grandfather, Horace Pantano. As early as I can remember I spent early mornings, late nights, and often Saturdays and Sundays working with my dad, who always made sure that customers were serviced, no matter what it took.”

Brendon lived every part of his father’s organization, from cutting grass and working on rear-load routes to making runs to the landfill in a tractor-trailer. Today, he brings that same boots-on-the-ground mindset to his company. He’s built a culture where every role is respected, every employee is valued, and everyone matters. “The vast experience I had in all departments of our family business from a very young age was instrumental in understanding how the business ran, but more importantly, it helped hone me as a leader.

The firsthand interaction with so many different people, performing so many stressful jobs, made me appreciate the value of taking care of people.” He has seven direct reports a senior leadership team of 20 and 1600 employees. “I believe strongly in servant leadership. The foundation of our company is built on our core values of safety, integrity, and customer service, along with hiring and developing a team of servant leaders. I am responsible for defining and ensuring the proper execution of the strategic vision for the organization, focusing on long-term growth and sustainability while fostering stakeholder relationships, including the board of directors, investors, and lenders. As the leader of our team, my role is to enhance operational efficiency and implement best practices that drive both profitability and environmental stewardship while ensuring the company is properly capitalized to execute growth and operational strategies.”

He brings that same commitment to the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. “I feel it is important to support the organizations that support our local business community. The educational value, networking, and support it brings to our team is immeasurable. In the earliest days of Coastal, we didn’t have the extra time to get actively involved, but as we’ve grown, we look forward to participating and engaging more. I see the importance of becoming more involved in the business community. The Economic Council appeared to be a good choice for connecting with other business leaders, understanding the critical issues facing our businesses, and hopefully contributing solutions to any challenges we face.”

Some of those challenges affect him and are critical to the entire business community in the county. “As we grow the business and build our team, insurance and housing are major concerns, especially when recruiting from outside the area. Insurance, in general, is a major concern in all areas of Florida, both property and auto. We operate over 35 facilities in the state with over 1100 trucks on the road. We are in a growth mode, so gaining approvals on zoning and building are always at the top of our list of concerns, depending on the marketplace.”

However, he is optimistic that Palm Beach County will continue to thrive over the next decade. “I am very positive we will remain a strong and vibrant area. Besides the two recycling operations we have on Wallis Road in West Palm Beach, we have just made a substantial investment in building out a 32,000 SF headquarters facility in Boca Raton and invested in a brand new 6-acre facility in Lake Worth that is home to our Palm Beach County Hauling operations. We are fully committed to maintaining and growing our operations in the County.”

Rapid growth adds new layers of complexity. However, his approach reflects the mindset outlined in “Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest” by William Vanderbloemen. The book resonates deeply with Brendon’s belief in standing out through integrity, clear communication, and consistent action. “The book has inspired me professionally and personally, and I strive to emulate the 12 habits, and I have a team around me that does the same.”

Those 12 habits may sharpen his edge today, but the original blueprint came from home. Long before the books and the boardrooms, it was his father who laid the foundation for his success, and his lessons continue to influence the Coastal leadership team today. “I am blessed to be working side by side with my dad today. It was a great opportunity to bring my dad onto my executive team and allow his influence to bump and guide many of our current leaders.”