The People Behind Every Pallet
At Pallets Reuse, our team is our greatest asset. From seasoned industry veterans to passionate newcomers, every person here shares a commitment to quality, sustainability, and exceptional service.
Connect With Our Team
Have a question or want to discuss your pallet needs? Our team is ready to help.
Experience Meets Passion
Our team brings together decades of experience in logistics, manufacturing, environmental science, and customer service. What unites us is a shared belief that the pallet industry can be a force for environmental good.
Many of our production team members are skilled carpenters and woodworkers who take genuine pride in bringing damaged pallets back to life. Our drivers know every back road and loading dock in the Pacific Northwest. And our sales team has the product knowledge to match any customer with the right solution.
We invest heavily in training, safety, and professional development because we know that great people are what make a great company.
Team Members
Avg. Years Tenure
Retention Rate
Safety Certifications
Meet the Team Leading the Way
Our leadership team combines deep industry knowledge with innovative thinking to drive Pallets Reuse forward.
Marcus Dalton
Co-Founder & CEO
Marcus spent a decade in warehouse management before founding Pallets Reuse in 2009. His deep understanding of supply chain logistics and his passion for sustainability drive the company's strategic vision. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a two-person operation to a 75+ employee regional leader. Marcus still visits customer sites personally, believing that the best business decisions come from staying close to the people you serve. He holds a logistics management certificate from Portland Community College and serves on the board of the Oregon Recyclers Association.
Elena Dalton
Co-Founder & COO
Elena brings an operations-first mindset that keeps Pallets Reuse running like clockwork. She designed the company's quality grading system, built its vendor relationships, and oversees daily operations across all three facilities. Her attention to detail ensures every pallet meets the standard customers expect. Before co-founding the company, Elena worked in accounting for a small manufacturing firm, experience that gave her the financial acumen to guide the company through its early years on a shoestring budget. She is known for her open-door policy and her insistence that every team member, regardless of role, understands the company's financial goals.
Jorge Reyes
VP of Production
Pallets Reuse's very first employee, Jorge has been with the company since 2010. Starting as a repair technician, he rose through the ranks thanks to his unmatched craftsmanship and leadership ability. Today he manages all production operations, from pallet intake and sorting to repair, heat treatment, and recycling. Jorge personally designed the training curriculum for new repair technicians, a program so thorough that graduates consistently produce repairs with a 99.2% quality pass rate. When he is not on the production floor, Jorge mentors apprentices in the company's youth program, teaching woodworking skills to the next generation.
Sarah Kim
Director of Sales
Sarah joined Pallets Reuse in 2016 and quickly transformed the sales process. With a background in B2B logistics sales, she understands the complexities of supply chain purchasing. She built the company's consultative sales approach, helping customers find the right pallet for the right application at the right price. Sarah manages a team of eight account managers and has personally onboarded over 200 customer accounts. Her philosophy is simple: understand the customer's business better than they expect you to, and the sales follow naturally. She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in marketing and holds a Certified Supply Chain Professional designation.
David Okafor
Director of Sustainability
David holds a master's degree in environmental science from Oregon State University. He joined the company in 2020 to formalize its sustainability initiatives. From tracking carbon offsets to managing the zero-landfill program, David ensures that every environmental claim Pallets Reuse makes is backed by real data. He authored the company's first annual sustainability report in 2024, a 40-page document that has become a model in the regional recycling industry. David also represents the company at industry conferences and frequently speaks on panels about circular economy business models in the Pacific Northwest.
Maria Gutierrez
Head of Logistics
Maria manages the company's fleet and delivery network. With fifteen years of experience in freight logistics, she optimized Pallets Reuse's delivery routes to reduce fuel consumption by 22% while improving on-time performance. She oversees the Tacoma and Eugene depots and is spearheading the company's fleet electrification initiative. Maria implemented the GPS tracking and route optimization system that gives customers real-time delivery updates, and she is currently leading the evaluation of electric delivery vans for Portland's urban routes. She began her career as a dispatcher for a Portland trucking company and worked her way up through operations management roles before joining Pallets Reuse in 2018.
Carlos Mendez
Tacoma Depot Manager
Carlos joined Pallets Reuse in 2018 as a delivery driver and was promoted to manage the Tacoma depot just two years later. His journey from behind the wheel to running an entire facility exemplifies the company's commitment to promoting from within. Carlos oversees a team of 12 at the Tacoma location, managing inventory, coordinating pickups and deliveries across the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, and maintaining relationships with over 150 customer accounts. He is known for his hands-on management style, often jumping onto the forklift himself during peak periods, and his deep knowledge of the Puget Sound logistics landscape.
Rachel Nguyen
Controller
Rachel joined the company in 2019 to professionalize its financial operations during a period of rapid growth. With a CPA and over twelve years of experience in manufacturing accounting, she brought structure to budgeting, cash flow management, and financial reporting. Rachel implemented the company's first ERP system, connecting sales, production, and logistics data into a single platform that gives leadership real-time visibility into business performance. She manages a team of three in accounting and works closely with Elena on operational budgeting and capital investment decisions.
Ben Larson
Safety & Compliance Manager
Ben is a certified safety professional with a background in construction and manufacturing safety management. He joined Pallets Reuse in 2017 after spending eight years with a major timber products company. Ben designed the company's comprehensive safety program, which has kept the incident rate well below industry averages for seven consecutive years. He conducts monthly safety audits, leads weekly toolbox talks, and personally onboards every new hire with a hands-on safety orientation. Ben also manages OSHA compliance, heat treatment certification audits, and environmental permitting across all three facilities.
Priya Sharma
Technology Manager
Priya oversees all of the company's technology systems, from the custom inventory tracking platform and GPS fleet management to the AI-powered sorting pilot and the customer-facing order portal. She joined Pallets Reuse in 2021 after working as a software developer at a Portland logistics startup. Priya led the integration of the computer vision sorting system at the Portland facility and is currently developing the next generation of the company's customer portal, which will allow self-service ordering, real-time inventory checks, and automated sustainability reporting for customer accounts.
Tom Whitfield
Eugene Depot Coordinator
Tom was hired in 2023 to establish and run the company's newest location near Eugene, Oregon. A Willamette Valley native, Tom brought deep connections to the region's agricultural community, having previously managed logistics for a large Willamette Valley winery consortium. His relationships with local farms, food processors, and wineries were instrumental in the depot reaching profitability within its first eight months. Tom manages a team of six and has grown the Eugene depot's customer base to over 80 accounts, with a particular specialization in food-grade and agricultural pallets.
Ashley Torres
Senior Repair Technician & Lead Trainer
Ashley started at Pallets Reuse in 2020 as a repair technician and quickly distinguished herself with her speed, precision, and natural teaching ability. Within two years, she was promoted to senior technician and tasked with leading the training program for new hires on the production floor. Ashley can repair up to 120 pallets per shift while maintaining a near-perfect quality pass rate, and she has trained over 30 new technicians since taking on the lead trainer role. She is also an active participant in the company's youth apprenticeship program, often serving as a mentor to young workers entering the trades for the first time.
How We Are Organized
Every department works in concert to deliver seamless pallet solutions from intake to delivery.
Production & Repair
Our largest team handles pallet intake, inspection, repair, and recycling. These are the skilled hands that give every pallet its second life.
Logistics & Delivery
Drivers, dispatchers, and depot coordinators work together to ensure reliable pickup and delivery across the Pacific Northwest.
Sales & Customer Service
From first contact to ongoing support, this team makes sure every customer finds exactly the right pallet solution.
Administration & Finance
HR, accounting, IT, and office management keep the business engine running smoothly behind the scenes.
Heat Treatment & Compliance
Certified kiln operators and compliance specialists ensure every heat-treated pallet meets ISPM-15 international standards.
Sustainability & Innovation
Data analysts, environmental scientists, and technology specialists driving continuous improvement and green initiatives.
Our Culture
Culture is not what you write on a poster. It is what happens when no one is watching. Here is what our daily work environment actually looks like.
Safety First, Always
Pallet work is physical work, and we take safety seriously. Every team member completes comprehensive safety training before stepping onto the yard. Monthly safety audits, proper PPE, and an open reporting culture have kept our incident rate well below industry averages for eight consecutive years. We hold weekly toolbox talks where crews discuss real scenarios and share near-miss reports without fear of blame. Our safety committee, made up of employees from every department, meets monthly to review procedures and recommend improvements. In 2024, we logged over 180,000 work hours with zero lost-time injuries, a record we are deeply proud of.
Growth from Within
We believe in promoting from within whenever possible. Jorge Reyes started as our first repair technician and now leads all production. Carlos Mendez went from delivery driver to depot manager. Three of our six department heads began in entry-level positions. We offer tuition assistance of up to $3,000 per year, skills training certifications, and a formal mentorship program that pairs junior employees with senior team members. When a leadership position opens, internal candidates are always considered first. This philosophy has contributed to our 92% employee retention rate, one of the highest in the industry.
Community Connection
We are not just a business in Portland — we are part of Portland. Our team volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, sponsors youth sports leagues, and participates in neighborhood clean-up events. Every quarter, we donate surplus mulch and wood chips to community gardens throughout the metro area. Employees receive two paid volunteer days per year to support causes they care about, and the company matches charitable donations up to $500 per employee annually. Our annual summer BBQ, open to employees and their families, has become something of a local tradition, complete with live music, yard games, and enough grilled food to feed a small army.
Work-Life Balance
Pallet work is demanding, and we respect that our team members have lives outside these fences. We offer consistent, predictable schedules with minimal mandatory overtime. When overtime is necessary during peak seasons, it is compensated at premium rates and distributed fairly across the team. Full-time employees receive competitive health benefits, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off starting at three weeks per year, and access to an employee assistance program for mental health and financial counseling services. We believe that rested, supported employees do better work, and the data backs it up.
What Our Team Says
“I started here driving a truck and now I manage the entire Tacoma depot. This company genuinely invests in people.”
Carlos Mendez
Tacoma Depot Manager, 6 years
“Working somewhere that actually cares about the environment makes me proud to come in every day. It is not just marketing — we really do keep pallets out of landfills.”
Ashley Torres
Senior Repair Technician, 4 years
“The team culture here is unlike anywhere I have worked. People help each other. Leadership listens. And the holiday BBQs are legendary.”
James Park
Logistics Coordinator, 3 years
“When I told Marcus I wanted to go back to school for my CPA, the company did not just say good luck. They offered tuition assistance and adjusted my schedule to make it work. That is the kind of support you do not find everywhere.”
Rachel Nguyen
Controller, 5 years
“I came to Pallets Reuse as an apprentice, not sure what I wanted to do with my life. Three years later, I am a certified repair technician with benefits and a career path. Jorge and Ashley believed in me before I believed in myself.”
Derek Washington
Repair Technician, 3 years
Training & Development
We believe that continuous learning is not a perk but a necessity. Our investment in training pays dividends in quality, safety, and employee satisfaction.
New Hire Onboarding
Every new employee completes a structured two-week onboarding program that covers safety protocols, company history and values, department-specific skills training, and shadowing with an experienced team member. Production hires spend additional time on the repair line with a senior technician before working independently. This thorough introduction ensures that every person who joins our team is set up for success from day one, regardless of their prior experience in the pallet industry.
2-week structured programTechnical Certification
We provide and fund certification training for specialized roles throughout the company. Forklift operators receive OSHA-compliant certification training and annual recertification. Heat treatment technicians earn ISPM-15 operator credentials. Drivers obtain necessary commercial endorsements through company-sponsored programs. Safety team members pursue Certified Safety Professional designations. In total, our team holds over 40 active professional certifications, and we add new ones every quarter.
40+ active certificationsLeadership Development
For team members showing leadership potential, we offer a six-month leadership development program that includes mentorship from a current department head, exposure to cross-functional projects, basic management and communication skills training, and the opportunity to lead small team initiatives. Graduates of this program are given priority consideration for supervisory and management openings. Since 2019, eight participants have been promoted to leadership positions within a year of completing the program.
8 promotions from programTuition Assistance
We reimburse up to $3,000 per year in tuition and fees for employees pursuing relevant education, from community college courses in logistics management to four-year degree programs in business or environmental science. The program is open to all full-time employees who have been with the company for at least one year. To date, 14 employees have taken advantage of this benefit, pursuing certifications and degrees that benefit both their careers and the company's capabilities.
Up to $3,000 per yearCross-Training Program
We encourage employees to learn skills outside their primary role through our cross-training program. Production workers can shadow the logistics team to understand delivery operations. Sales representatives spend time on the production floor to deepen their product knowledge. Drivers learn basic repair techniques so they can assess pallet condition during pickups. This cross-pollination builds empathy between departments, creates operational flexibility during busy periods, and gives employees a broader understanding of the business.
30+ employees cross-trainedYouth Apprenticeship Program
Our six-month paid apprenticeship program, open to young adults aged 18 to 24, provides hands-on training in woodworking, logistics, and business operations. Apprentices rotate through production, logistics, and customer service departments, gaining real-world skills and industry certifications. Each apprentice is paired with a dedicated mentor who provides guidance, feedback, and career advice. To date, 12 apprentices have completed the program, and three now hold full-time positions at Pallets Reuse.
12 apprentices graduatedCurrent Openings
We are growing and looking for talented, hardworking people to join our team. If any of these roles sound like you, we would love to hear from you.
Delivery Driver - Portland, OR
We are looking for an experienced delivery driver to join our Portland fleet. You will operate a flatbed truck on daily routes throughout the Portland metro area, delivering pallets to customer locations and picking up used pallets for recycling. The ideal candidate has a clean CDL Class B license, experience with flatbed loading, and strong customer service skills. This role offers competitive pay starting at $24/hour, full benefits, and consistent Monday-through-Friday scheduling with minimal overnight travel.
Requirements:
- Valid CDL Class B license with clean driving record
- 2+ years flatbed or delivery driving experience
- Ability to lift 50+ lbs repeatedly
- Strong customer service orientation
Pallet Repair Technician - Portland, OR
Join our production team as a pallet repair technician. You will inspect, sort, and repair damaged pallets using pneumatic tools, saws, and hand tools. No prior pallet experience is required — we provide comprehensive training — but a background in carpentry, woodworking, or general construction is a plus. This is a physically demanding role that rewards attention to detail and craftsmanship. Starting pay is $19-22/hour depending on experience, with opportunities for advancement to senior technician and lead trainer roles.
Requirements:
- Comfort with power tools and physical labor
- Attention to detail and quality standards
- Ability to work in outdoor/covered yard environment
- Carpentry or woodworking experience preferred
Account Manager - Remote / Portland, OR
We are seeking an account manager to manage and grow a portfolio of 50-80 business accounts across the Pacific Northwest. You will serve as the primary point of contact for your customers, handling orders, resolving issues, conducting quarterly business reviews, and identifying opportunities to expand services. The ideal candidate has B2B sales experience, preferably in logistics, packaging, or supply chain, and a genuine passion for helping customers succeed. This role offers a competitive base salary plus commission, with realistic on-target earnings of $70,000-85,000.
Requirements:
- 3+ years B2B account management or sales experience
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Experience with CRM systems
- Interest in sustainability and circular economy concepts
Depot Assistant - Eugene, OR
Our growing Eugene depot needs a versatile team member to assist with pallet sorting, inventory management, customer pickups, and basic repair work. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to learn the pallet industry from the ground up in a smaller, close-knit team environment. You will work closely with our Eugene Depot Coordinator, Tom Whitfield, and gain exposure to all aspects of depot operations. Starting pay is $18-20/hour with full benefits and a clear path for advancement as the Eugene operation grows.
Requirements:
- Forklift experience (or willingness to be trained and certified)
- General comfort with physical, outdoor work
- Reliable transportation to Eugene industrial area
- Team-oriented attitude with willingness to learn
Do Not See Your Role Listed?
We are always interested in hearing from talented people, even if we do not have a specific opening that matches your skills right now. Send us your resume and a note about what interests you about Pallets Reuse, and we will keep your information on file for future opportunities.
Send Us Your ResumeInterested in Working at Pallets Reuse?
We are always looking for hardworking, sustainability-minded people to join our growing team. Whether you are an experienced logistics professional or someone looking to start a new career, we would love to hear from you.