Damany Head

Founder and Managing Partner

An entrepreneur and leadership strategist, equips business owners with tools to significantly increase their bottom line, enhanced structure for rapid future growth and purposeful momentum to drive effective change. 

A Managing Partner in Essential Recycling, where he has been expanding recycling in the commercial industry since 2008, Damany is an engineer by trade and a leader by birth. His natural ability to relate to people, while simultaneously driving concrete results, demonstrates his creative power.  

A graduate of Ohio Northern University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Damany spent half of his professional life working for engineering firms, like Quaker Chemical and General Motors. During the height of the recession in 2008, Damany was faced with a decision: would he continue his career as an engineer or hone the skills he already possessed into a business that could help business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders for years to come. 

Essential Recycling was born in that moment, as was Damany’s innate desire to create businesses and enterprises that will leave a legacy.   

Shanell Weatherspoon

Founder and Managing Partner

Shanell Weatherspoon the Founder of Essential Recycling, LLC, a recycling and sustainability company specializing in providing Recycling Services for the Commercial Real-estate, HVAC, Healthcare, and Manufacturing Industries.  Having Started Essential Recycling in 2008 with her husband, Shanell expanded her role with the company in 2019 to include oversite of operations, after leaving an accomplished 20+ Year Career in Human Resources.  Shanell is a talented Business Leader, Entrepreneur, Executive, and Leadership Coach. With over two decades of experience, Shanell has helped ambitious entrepreneurs and leaders do work they love and be remarkable at it. Fueled by a passion for sustainability, environmental equality, and leadership & talent development, she is using her wealth of knowledge, diverse background, and business acumen to make a difference for her community. Through her work at Essential Recycling, Shanell and her husband are expanding recycling access and utilization, as well as working to build a strong circular economy in SE Michigan.  Shanell has brought her expertise in HR, Marketing, and Operations to the Pontiac Regional Chamber of Commerce and is working with its board to grow, evolve, and sustain the 119-year-old organization for Future Generations.  Shanell prides herself on her ability to break down barriers and build collaborative relationships. She is a strategic thinker and visionary, that can look beyond the status quo, to see the potential in people and organizations. Shanell is also a former elected official, having served on the Pontiac Public Library Board, and is a Founding Board Member for the Pontiac United Education Coalition.  She also serves on several additional boards, and committees.  Shanell resides in Oakland County with her husband and 3 children.