I have been in the environmental sector in some shape or form for 30 years.

After graduating from Rome, Georgia's Shorter College in 1977, I worked in a small chemical plant – The Ora Corporation, in Ora, SC – doing odd jobs trying to "find my place in life". I started at the facility doing general maintenance work. But, because I was willing to listen, learn AND put into practice what I learned, within the first year I worked in almost every department within the plant. Finally, with the dawning of the RCRA regulations, I worked in the plant's Chemical Waste Treatment & RCRA department.

My background includes being the Waste Treatment Supervisor and RCRA Coordinator for such firms as The Ora Corporation, American Hoechst, The Hoechst-Celanese Corporation, and The Clariant Corporation.

I have seen the thought process change from:

• dilution is the solution to pollution... to
• dilution is not the solution to pollution... and finally
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (If you don't generate waste, there is nothing to recycle.)

In 2003, I began employment with Mecklenburg County's LUESA – Solid Waste. I am currently employed as a Sr. Environmental Specialist for Mecklenburg County's Land Use & Environmental Services Agency – Business/Commercial Recycling.

My most important contribution to LUESA is the development of a new class entitled Waste Reduction 101. The class is free and promotes waste reduction, obviously, and the creation of waste reduction teams. If you are interested, please contact me at (704) 432–0400.