2026 Four Under 40: Drey Loge

Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce

A Kind of Leader You Can Count On

As a 2026 WAVE Four Under 40 recipient, Drey Loge is recognized for his unwavering leadership, commitment to the Brainerd Lakes Area, and the lasting impact he continues to make through both his profession and his community.

Most people don’t spend much time thinking about what happens to their trash after it’s picked up. They simply expect it to be there one day and gone the next. It’s one of those essential services that often goes unnoticed—unless it doesn’t happen.

The best work isn’t always the most visible. Sometimes it’s the quiet consistency of showing up every day, solving problems before anyone notices them, and building something people can rely on. That mindset has shaped Drey’s career, the business, and the reputation he’s earned throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Meet Drey

As part owner of Waste Partners, Drey helps lead a team of more than 40 employees serving over 15,000 customers across the Brainerd Lakes Area, from Walker to Fort Ripley. While the work may not be glamorous, it is vital to the health and success of the communities they serve.

Under his leadership as a 3^rd generation co-owner, Waste Partners has carried on the business reputation not only for dependable service, but for its commitment to employees, innovation, and community involvement. In 2024, the company received the Brainerd Lakes Chamber’s Business Excellence Award—recognition that reflects the culture Drey has helped create.

Community organizations throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area know Drey as someone willing to step in and help, frequently donating or discounting services for local events, nonprofit fundraisers, parades, and community celebrations. Those partnerships reflect the company’s mission as much as its business model.

Drey Loge, 32 | Waste Partners

When I was a kid, I wanted to be…
an Air Force Pilot.

What is one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
Take yourself less seriously, don’t wish away time, and learn to golf well.

Do you have a hidden talent?
My wife considers it an embarrassment, but I like to break out “The Worm” at wedding dances.

Making an Impact

Ask those who know Drey what sets him apart, and the answer isn’t a list of accomplishments. It’s his character.

He treats employees, customers, neighbors, and community partners with the same respect, whether anyone is watching or not. In an industry where reliability is everything, Drey has built a reputation as someone people can depend on. He doesn’t seek recognition for doing the right thing, but believes it simply how business should be done.

“He is the kind of person who quietly makes things better for everyone around him and then moves on to the next thing without expecting credit.”

Those closest to him describe someone who serves his family with the same dedication he brings to his work. They see a leader who understands that professional success means little if you aren’t investing in the people closest to you.

Beyond home and the business, Drey serves as a past board member of the Brainerd Jaycees, helping support leadership development and community initiatives throughout the region. He also serves on the Cass County Economic Development Corporation Board, contributing to efforts that strengthen economic growth and opportunity across the area. As an active WAVE member, he values growth and connection for the next generation of professionals, and through his role as an adisory board member to the Brainerd Area Youth For Christ helping young people develop their faith as they navigate some of life’s most formative years.

Whether he’s supporting his team, serving customers, mentoring, or strengthening community organizations, Drey leads with humility, consistency, and a genuine desire to make the people around him better.

Looking Ahead

Drey’s future success isn’t defined solely by where his own career will go next. It’s found in the people he continues to influence along the way.

As Waste Partners grows, as community organizations continue to thrive, and as new leaders emerge throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area, Drey’s story is a reminder that excellence and leadership is about building on the foundations already existing, honoring those who came before, while creating new opportunities for those who will follow.

Professional Excellence

Leadership

Community Involvement

Potential for Future Success

2024: Alex Bitter
2024: Cory Jay
2024: Erich Heppner
2024: Vanessa Ruedisili
2025: Colton Maher
2025: Max Walter
2025: Jesse Zahn
2025: Scott Lykins

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

5-8PM, Grand View Lodge, Grand Ballroom

Together with our Presenting Sponsor, Conductor Power, we invite you to join us in celebration of Drey’s achievements as a 2026 Four Under 40 recipient and the entirty of the WAVE Yung Professionals Network.

About the Awards

The WAVE Four Under 40 Awards recognize young professionals who exemplify professional excellence, leadership, community involvement, and the potential for future success. Through his quiet leadership, unwavering reliability, and commitment to serving others, Drey Loge embodies each of these qualities while helping shape a stronger future for the Brainerd Lakes Area.