2022-2023
So much thanks to outgoing Board member Mark Kurschner (Product Care) and Ray Stevens (Convertus Group). Mark was a Board member for 6 years. His strong industry understanding, experience in stewardship program building and management, and keen legal knowledge were an extraordinary help to the work of the Board. Heading into his retirement, Ray still felt compelled to serve by filling a half-term position. In very short order, he became a vital addition for both financial management and human resource focus for the Board.
We are delighted both Mark and Ray will remain active members of the 2022 Conference Committee!
Congratulations to our returning Board members and a warm welcome to new Board members Veronica Bartlett and Sean Kawakami. While oversight of the organization is a top priority, what makes the CWMA Board unique is the hands-on work they do for the organization on behalf of all members.
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.
Veronica Bartlett
Veronica Bartlett is an environmental and waste management consultant with over 15 years’ experience. With a postgraduate degree in ecotoxicology from Uppsala University, Sweden; Veronica started her career developing “waste management and minimization plans” for municipalities across New Zealand. New professional challenges and the beautiful coast mountains attracted Veronica to North Vancouver where she joined Morrison Hershfield’s growing team in 2012. Over the last ten years, Veronica has worked on many projects: from the development of solid waste management plans to communication and engagement strategy development. Away from work, Veronica is an active Council member of her strata complex and enjoys having fun in the outdoors – trail running, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.
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.
Sean Kawakami
Sean is the Business Development Manager for Convertus Group who specialise in the design, construction, finance, and operation of organic waste processing facilities. Convertus operates four facilities in Canada, notably including the Nanaimo Circular Waste BC and Surrey Biofuel sites. Sean started in the industry working for Rehrig Pacific where he had the opportunity to supply containers for residential and commercial collection to municipalities and haulers across British Columbia and Alberta. From there he moved to Waste Connections for a year, before joining Convertus. His experience in supply, collection and processing affords him a unique perspective of the solid waste industry in our province.
Brendan McShane (chair)
Brendan is the Director, Collection with Recycle BC, and currently sits as Chair for CWMA. Brendan has worked with Recycle BC for eight years, overseeing partnerships and operations throughout the Province. 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.
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.