Western Placer Waste Management Authority hires agency's first general manager

The Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA) announced the hiring of its first general manager, Scott Scholz, following a unanimous approval of his contract at the May 9 board meeting. In this newly created position, Scholz will report directly to the agency's Board of Directors, comprised of elected officials from the WPWMA's Member Agencies – Placer County and the cities of Lincoln, Rocklin and Roseville. Scholz comes to WPWMA after serving as executive director of the Regional Waste Management Authority, a solid waste joint powers authority serving Sutter and Yuba County jurisdictions. "This is an important step for the WPWMA," said Board Chair Shanti Landon, Placer County Supervisor. "As our service area continues to grow and new challenges emerge within the solid waste and recycling industry, an experienced and proven leader who is wholly dedicated to the essential work the authority is doing alongside our member agencies is invaluable. I am looking forward to the continued success of the WPWMA under Scott's leadership." The WPWMA is a joint powers authority established in 1978 to own and operate the only active sanitary landfill in Placer County and recycling facilities for municipalities across western Placer County, serving more than 400,000 residents and businesses from Roseville to Foresthill. Since 1978, Placer County's Departments of Public Works and Facility Services have provided administrative support and executive management to the WPWMA. In 2023, the board initiated a contract with recruiting firm Bob Murray and Associates to hire a full-time general manager that would help the WPWMA grow and flourish as an independent regional agency. Under the board's direction, Scholz will manage the operations, engineering, administration and finances of the WPWMA, including managing its contractors. "I'm thrilled to join the WPWMA team as its first general manager," said Scholz. "The WPWMA plays a critical role in our community, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to lead an incredible team of professionals and be a part of this agency's exciting future." Before his role with the Regional Waste Management Authority, Scholz was GM of GreenWaste of Palo Alto and the Solid Waste Manager for the city of Elk Grove, where he received a Sacramento Area Sustainable Business award. Throughout his career, he has been at the center of advancing technologies, being recognized as a pioneer in the zero-emission vehicle movement in the solid waste industry. Additionally, Scholz has successfully promoted and implemented sustainability and climate action policies within the communities he has served. Scholz will begin his new role June 17.