SACRAMENTO /California Newswire/ — Following through on his commitment to increase efficiency and make state government work better for the people, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday announced appointments to the new Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) including the appointment of Margo Reid Brown as chief deputy director and her designation as acting director. CalRecycle was established through the elimination of the California Integrated Waste Management Board and the consolidation of the California Department of Conservation’s Recycling Division, to more effectively manage the disposal of state waste and recycling efforts to protect public health and the environment.
“This is exactly the type of structural reform I have been fighting for since coming into office, action that puts California on stronger ground for the future with consolidated and streamlined government functions,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Margo has been a valued member of my Administration and she has the experience in waste management necessary to direct this new department to make better use of available resources to control waste, promote recycling and protect the environment to more effectively serve the people of California.”
Brown has served as chair of the Integrated Waste Management Board since 2006. She previously served as director of scheduling for the Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2004 to 2006 and was the founder and president of Capitol Ideas Development Corporation from 2002 to 2004. From 1999 to 2000, Brown served as president of the Junior League of Sacramento and, from 1991 to 1999, she was the director of scheduling for the Office of Governor Pete Wilson.
“It is an honor to continue serving the Governor and the people of our great state. I am excited to get to work to streamline and increase efficiency in our waste disposal and recycling efforts so that we can better serve Californians and our environment,” said Margo Reid Brown.
Brown, 46, of Sacramento, earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in international relations and political science from the University of Southern California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $132,179. Brown is a Republican.
The Governor also announced the following three appointments to CalRecycle:
Elliot Block, 49, of Sacramento, has been appointed chief counsel for CalRecycle. He has served the Integrated Waste Management Board as chief counsel since 2006 where he previously served as staff counsel III from 2002 to 2005. Block was staff counsel for the Fair Political Practices Commission’s Enforcement Division from 1989 to 1992 and managing attorney from for the Fair Housing Council of Orange County from 1984 to 1989. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $123,564. Block is a Democrat.
Lisa Macumber, 32, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director of legislative affairs for CalRecycle. Since 2009, she has been legislative manager of the Office of Governmental and Environmental Relations for the Department of Conservation. Previously, Macumber was legislative analyst for the California Air Resources Board from 2001 to 2009. From 2000 to 2001, she was a substitute teacher for the San Juan Unified School District. Macumber earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $73,524. Macumber is a Democrat.
Alicia McGee, 25, of Sacramento, has been appointed communications director for CalRecycle. Since 2007, she has served as assistant director for communications at the Natural Resources Agency. Previously, McGee served as executive assistant to the communications director for Californians for Schwarzenegger 2006. McGee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $43,944. McGee is a Republican.
As part of the budget agreement last year, the Governor signed SB 63 by Senator Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) to eliminate the California Integrated Waste Management Board to more effectively serve Californians and save taxpayer money, by merging the duties of the board and those of the Department of Conservation’s Division of Recycling into a single entity, the Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
Housed in the California Natural Resources Agency, this department is made up of two divisions: the Division of Waste Recovery and Division of Recycling. The Division of Waste Recovery promotes the goals of Zero Waste California in partnership with local government, industry and the public. The division manages the approximate 93 million tons of waste generated each year by reducing waste whenever possible, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting the management of all materials to their highest and best use, regulating the handling, processing and disposal of solid waste, and protecting public health and safety and the environment.
The Division of Recycling manages the resource recovery program known as the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, which was enacted in 1986. The primary goal of the Act is to achieve and maintain high recycling rates for each beverage container type included in the program. The division is responsible for participant certification and registration, overseeing compliance by program participants, and administering programs mandated in statute related to beverage container recycling. The division provides a number of services to achieve these goals, including enforcement, auditing, grant funding, technical assistance and education.
