February, 2009 E-NEWSLETTER

President's Message
by Jim Kuhl
City of Long Beach

I hope you are planning to join us at this year’s Western Regional Symposium, from April 6-9.  As we draw closer to the event, I am becoming more and more excited about the fantastic speakers, workshops and networking opportunities we will be offering this year.
 
We are pleased to announce some of the prestigious speakers at this year’s symposium.  Interesting presentations and valuable insight will be delivered from experts in the field, including CIWMB Member Rosalie Mule, SWANA’s Executive Director and CEO John Skinner and Economist Stephen Levy. And that’s just at the opening session!
 
And it doesn’t stop there.  To provide you with a platform to exchange ideas, engage in public discourse, network, and stay current with the industry’s most up-to-date information, we will be conducting workshops on topics like Los Angeles County’s Conversion Technology Projects, Climate Change and Carbon Footprints and Green Building Strategies.  Look for presentations on C&D Recycling Programs, an update on the Scrap Materials Markets and a Primer on AB 32.  We have also added an Intensive Landfill Workshop at Lamb Canyon Landfill in Riverside on Thursday. This workshop will explore the operations of Lamb Canyon and revisit some of their best management practices.
 
These are just a small sample of the valuable and exciting events at this year’s symposium.  Don’t miss this opportunity to get updated on these and many other cutting-edge projects and important issues. And as always, the Western Regional Symposium is one of the best places to meet up with associates, make new friends and find ways to help your organization prosper during this difficult economic time.
 
We look forward to seeing you there.

38th Annual Western Regional Symposium
Hosted by the Southern California Founding Chapter
April 6-9, 2009
Palm Springs Hilton Resort
400 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California, 92262
Ph. (760) 320-6868

Come for a day or stay for the week!

Early Registration Discounted Price
Extended Until March 6th!
Click Here To Register

This promises to be an outstanding show! The Palm Springs Hilton Resort is a beautiful facility and our last symposium there was a huge success. The show will be bigger than ever, and a good time will be had by all!

Southern California Founding Chapter
Intensive Landfill Workshop

Good News!
Discounted Pricing...

(If you have already paid please contact Grace Chan at
gchan@lacsd.org to arrange for a refund).

Thursday, April 9, 2009
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(Lunch provided)

Location:
Lamb Canyon Landfill
16411 Lamb Canyon Road,
Beaumont, CA.

Cost: 
$40 per person (SWANA member)
$50 per person (Non-SWANA member)
Click Here To Register

Topics to be covered include the landfill’s Waste Recycle Park, 
the Landfill Traffic Control Program, the Emergency Stop System,
and the Equipment Operating Training Program.

4 Continuing Education Credits are available.

Participants in the workshop will meet at the Lamb Canyon Landfill at 8:00a.m. For the beginning of the workshop. 
Space is limited so please register early.

CENTRAL L.A. RECYCLING & TRANSFER STATION

(C.L.A.R.T.S.)

CLARTS is a refuse Transfer Station serving the City of Los Angeles curbside collection program and the public.  Commercial disposal and transloading services are also available.  The facility is conveniently located just east of downtown Los Angeles on 2201 East Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90021.

For tip fee information or to open a service account, please call the following numbers:

Office : (213)-763-1837 or (213)-763-1838

Manager:  (213)-763-1918 or Paul.Lebel@lacity.org

Have a question or comment? Please visit the "Waste Talk" online So Cal SWANA Community to post your blog. Look for the "Waste Talk" link at the bottom of our homepage...www.socalswana.org

Thank you to all of our Board Members for volunteering their time!

Meet your Southern California SWANA
Board Member

Serving as Public Director

Khalil Gharios
City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation

What do you do in your real job (as opposed to your job as a Board member)?

At my real job, I work for the City of Los Angeles where I serve as Division Manager for the Bureau of Sanitation's Solid Resources Processing & Construction Division. My primary responsibilities include determining the polices, budget requirements, methods and procedures of Engineering and planning for the operations and maintenance of five Solid waste landfills, three yard trimmings processing and composting facilities, and a solid waste recycling and transfer station.

How did you end up in the solid waste industry?

It started as a promotional opportunity. After graduating from college, I worked for eight years as a Project Engineer in the wastewater treatment industry. In 1991, I was promoted to oversee the expansion of the City of LA Lopez Canyon Landfill. Since then I moved up the career ladder to my current position. I have enjoyed working in the solid waste industry so much that I intent to stay in the waste business for a long time.
  
 Any words of wisdom for Chapter members?  
 
I found that the most important tool to advance and learn in this business is the networking and sharing experiences and ideas with other colleagues in the industry. That was the reason I joined SWANA and volunteered to be on the board of its founding chapter. For the short term I have been a member, I have already developed a large network of friends and business colleagues in the industry. You can do the same by joining and volunteering.  

SWANA Member Profile

Roy Barbatti

If you were to ask Roy Barbatti what draws him to his profession, he would smile widely, look you right in the eye, and simply reply, “I just love being a garbage man.”   Roy isn't using the term ‘love’ lightly.  For him, ‘love’ is an action verb; a day-in, day-out act of will and dedication that comes from a deep enthusiasm for the friends, family and business of waste management.  After all, Roy, who has worked in the industry for over 45 years, is not a man distinguished by words alone, but by actions rooted in an impassioned commitment to selflessly serving the people around him.

Roy’s journey started in the bustling Italian neighborhoods of Oakland, California.  As a child, he enjoyed more than his share of spaghetti dinners with the future leaders of the waste management industry; a community of friends and families rich in tradition, work ethic, and undying allegiance to each other – a tradition he has continued to build upon as the years have passed.

Roy entered full-time into waste management when he started working for his father-in-law at a hauling company out of Palm Desert, California.  He served there for many years before continuing on to Dempster and a top position at Crane Carrier, a leading manufacturer of heavy duty vehicles located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  After over 20 years at Crane and a brief retirement, Roy chose to come back and take over as National Sales Manager for Intec Video Systems, Inc.

At age 67, Roy is now widely considered as one of the most well-known, well-liked businessmen in the industry.  He is heavily involved with S.W.A.N.A. (Solid Waste Association of North America), where he is one of only eleven constituents to receive their coveted Life Membership Award. He is certainly one of the Southern California Founding Chapters longest members, having joined the GRCDA in 1966. He is also an S.W.P.D (Solid Waste Processing Division) “Old Timer”, an influential group of waste management professionals honored for their extensive years of experience.  There is no doubt that Roy is popular across the country; he can literally pick up the phone and get an appointment with any hauler or city at the drop of a hat.  How has he done it?  Once again, Roy’s answer gets right to the heart of it: “I believe in being a friend to those you sell to, but before that sale ever happens, you have to earn the right to be a friend.”

That’s exactly what Roy has been doing the past 45 years: earning it.  He’s earned respect, admiration, and loyalty among his peers; because in the end, what makes Roy Barbatti so unique is that he will do everything in his power to help others, but expects absolutely nothing in return.  He is a wonderful husband, father and friend who is incredibly generous, places great importance on intergenerational relationships and familial bonds within the industry, and jumps at any chance to mentor someone in need.  

Advertise your company logo on the So Cal SWANA website.

Linked to your company website.
Click here to download sign up form

Association News

Board Meeting March 10, 2009
10:30am - 1:30pm
2929 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA

Southern California SWANA Founding Chapter WEBSITE NEWS...

We have made it possible to advertise your company logo and link to your website on our homepage.  We also have a message board, Waste Talk for those questions or needs you might have.  We still have available our job listing link and our Member Vendor Directory.  If you have a job posting or would like to be included in our directory, send an e-mail with your information to info@socalswana.org

Have a change of address or e-mail? Please send an e-mail to info@socalswana.orgwith your updated information so we can keep you updated. Thank you. Please take a moment and check us out at www.socalswana.org

Attention Corporate Members:
Are you interested in sponsoring one of our quarterly workshops? For more information please contact us at info@socalswana.org

July 23, 2009
Southern California SWANA Chapter Workshop
The Reef Restaurant
880 Harbor Scenic Drive
Long Beach, CA 90802

Speakers TBA

Vendor Directory

Get to know your fellow SWANA members and the services they provide in our on-line vendor directory . Our members represent the most knowledgeable and skilled professionals in the solid waste business in Southern California. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Russell at the SWANA Association Office (714) 866-9988.

Post Your Employment Opportunities

Are you seeking skilled, experienced professionals to fill positions at your organization? You can post job openings online at our website to take advantage of SWANA’s extensive network. Please send a brief job description with a website or e-mail link for further information. Your post will be available online for 30 days.