2021-2022
So much thanks to outgoing Board member Ed Walsh (Return-It) and for all of his hard work over the years. We are delighted he will remain an active member of our Conference Committee.
Congratulations to our returning Board members: Brendan McShane who remains the CWMA Chair, Sonam Bajwa, in her role as Vice Chair, Peter Grant, our long-suffering Treasurer, Andrea Panich our Secretary, and Mark Kurschner, Rory Tooke, and Michael Zarbl. A warm welcome to new Board member Ray Stevens!
While oversight of the organization is a top priority of the Board, what makes the CWMA Board Members unique, is the hands-on work they do for the organization. They are dedicated to ensuring the that CWMA is a quality forum for growing networks, connecting, knowledge sharing, and supporting every member to help cultivate best practices in the solid waste industry.
Presented Alphabetically…
Sonam Bajwa (vice-chair)
Sonam Bajwa is the Solid Waste Planner at the Regional District of Nanaimo. Sonam holds a B.A. major in Geography with a Specialty in Environmental Studies, complemented by a certificate in Spatial Information Systems. In her time at the RDN, she has been responsible for the consultation and implementation of the Solid Waste Management Plan, the region-wide curbside collection program and departmental communication. Prior to the RDN, Sonam was Program Coordinator for province and nation-wide product stewardship programs. She got her start in the solid waste industry working for Tetra Tech, where she was a Solid Waste Auditor and Outreach Ambassador.
Peter Grant (treasurer)
Recycling Depot Program Manager, Salt Spring Island Community Services. Born long long ago in a land far away….( Norway ) Grew up in Montreal – BA from McGill University – Majored in English. Moved to Calgary and spent 15 years there, working in the Oil and Gas industry as well as dabbling in the Hospitality trade. Moved to Salt Spring Island in 1984 and has been managing the Recycling Depot there since the early nineties…..One of each – Wife: Donna, Son: Jeff and Grandson: Kaleb.
Mark Kurschner
Mark is the president of Product Care Association based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Product Care is a non-profit industry association that operates product stewardship programs across Canada. Products and programs managed by Product Care include paint, lighting products, flammable liquids, pesticides, smoke alarms, as well as small appliances and outdoor power equipment. Mark became the president of Product Care Association in 2002 and is a qualified lawyer. Among many other projects and initiatives, Mark was honoured to work with the Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group (IZWTAG) to help them set up their not-for-profit organization. Mark lives in Vancouver, but he is a frequent visitor to the family cabin at Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island.
Brendan McShane (chair)
Brendan is the Manager, Collection Quality and Development for Recycle BC, and currently sits as Chair for CWMA. Brendan has worked with Recycle BC for 7 years, overseeing partnerships throughout the Province, with a focus on Coastal operations. Throughout this time he has had the pleasure of working with the broad spectrum of waste management partners and is grateful for the strong relationships developed throughout the province. In 2017, Brendan joined the Board of Directors with CWMA to further involve himself within the industry and provide a greater service to those partnerships he values. Brendan lives in Victoria with his young family, enjoying all things coastal BC has to offer.
Andrea Panich (secretary)
Andrea works at Hartland landfill, researching solid waste management and health & safety topics, developing risk assessments, preparing jobs safety analysis, exposure control plans, emergency preparedness and coordinating required safety training. As a joint occupational health and safety member, Andrea prepares minutes and agenda’s and presents health and safety material to the committee. She has experience in environmental monitoring, sampling and working in analytical laboratories, processing samples for analysis. Andrea has a B.Sc. in Environmental Science, a diploma in Environmental Technology and a certificate in Environmental and Occupational Health.
Ray Stevens
Ray Stevens is the Operations Director for Convertus, leading and driving performance at four operational organic waste processing facilities in Ontario and British Columbia. He has over 30 years experience in management, starting his career as an owner operator of a small trucking company and working through to more senior roles in lumber manufacturing, equipment manufacturing, oil and gas and the utility industry. Before making the move to Convertus, Ray worked in consecutive positions with BC Hydro, from Maintenance and Operations Manager to Regional Director for Coastal Operations. Ray has an MBA from Royal Roads University.
Rory Tooke
Rory is the Manager of Sustainability and Asset Management at the City of Victoria. He established and leads the solid waste engineering and planning function of the City with responsibilities for zero waste and circular economy policies and programs, planning and design of municipal solid waste services and corporate sustainability initiatives. Rory is the current Vice Chair of the Capital Region’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee. He was a founding member of the BC Energy Step Code Council that developed BC’s regulatory pathway to achieve net zero energy buildings and was a member of the project team that led the design of Surrey’s Clayton Community Centre – the largest Passive House facility of its kind. Rory holds a Masters and PhD in natural resources management from the University of British Columbia.
Michael Zarbl
Michael joined the Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable as the Executive Director in July 2017. Prior to that he was the Director of Operations at Recycle BC (formerly MMBC) the extended producer responsibility program for packaging and printed paper. Before joining Recycle BC, Michael was the Senior District Manager for Waste Management of Canada for four years, where he was responsible for the entire operation of the Vancouver Hauling District. Michael also has an extensive supply chain management background with direct experience in the key activities along the supply chain, culminating in direct waste management industry experience. Michael has a BA from Concordia University in Montreal and is fluent in both English and French.