Deputy Solid Waste Director, City of Mesa

Joe has overseen solid waste and recycling programs in Arizona for nearly 30 years. He has been a leader in recycling and circular economy initiatives in local government ranging from remanufacturing of new products from recycled materials and implementing procurement programs to purchase materials manufactured from recycled content.

CEO, Generated Materials Recovery

Phil has led Generated Materials Recovery since 2003. During his tenure, Generated Materials Recovery became the leading processor of manufacturing and distribution of industrial waste streams for more than 100 of Arizona’s largest manufacturers. Generated Materials Recovery was a Finalist for the 2023 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence from Arizona Forward.

Circular Economy Project Manager, City of Phoenix

Amanda works collaboratively across the Public Works and Community and Economic Development departments to drive forward the City’s circular economy initiatives. She has studied and worked in the space of circular economy for over a decade, oversees the development of the City’s 40-acre Resource Innovation Campus, and manages internal and external partnerships.

Founder & CEO, Enviro Manufacturing Inc. & Transformadora de Mexico 

Since 1994, Baltazar has been providing waste management solutions to the maquila industry in Arizona, Sonora and Baja California. He has established business relationships with local, national and international companies and works with clients to meet their environmental objectives. He also promotes recycling programs in schools, foundations, companies and government agencies to reduce pollution impact.

Director of Sales and Marketing, Waste Connections of Arizona

Larry leads the effort to create and maintain strong bonds with the company’s municipality and HOA client base through innovative community outreach programs and recycling education and awareness. During his 15-year tenure in the waste industry, he has directed countless marketing and business development initiatives that increased market placement and raised significant awareness in recycling. Larry has collaborated with partner corporations, municipalities and government organizations to help shape environmental strategy and goals. 

Director of Recycling Operations, Four Corners Market Area, Waste Management 

Mark oversees recycling operations for Waste Management’s CO/UT/AZ/NM operating units, which includes seven single-stream and commercial recycling facilities in these areas. Responsibilities include strategic planning, operations oversight, customer retention and budgeting. He has 25 years of industry experience, including in solid waste collection, recycling and disposal, and has been with Waste Management since 1998.

Recycling and Landfill Manager, Gila County 

Melanie has two decades of experience in recycling and solid Waste Management. While China’s policy, National Sword, created challenges for the recycling industry, Melanie understood the importance of continued recycling efforts. Melanie’s experience and education support her expertise in areas such as waste management, zero waste, source-separating recyclables, hazardous waste, food waste recycling, and commercial waste audits.

Director of Sustainability Practice, Arizona State University

Over the last 10 years, Raj has developed circular economy solutions at local and regional scales, building collaborative expert-practitioner networks to advance circular economy, and developing circular economy curricula. He was instrumental in collaboratively building ASU’s Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service, a university-based sustainability solutions knowledge and discovery practice, with an applied research and solutions development mission. 

Maricopa County Facilities Management (Sustainability Division), Recycling Coordinator 

Since 2007, Travis has served in various roles at Maricopa County, including Environmental Specialist to conduct code compliance inspections, Hazardous Waste Specialist to aid with Emergency Responses at county locations, and Recycling Coordinator. He has managed the County’s internal recycling program (MC Recycling) development, which has grown from initially removing about 175,000 pounds of the county’s batteries, light bulbs, aerosols and oil a year to removing about 2 million pounds a year.