June 2009: Resources for RMDZ Businesses in Challenging Economic Times
Bios
Roma Cristia-Plant
Roma Cristia-Plant is the Assistant Executive Director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank where she oversees the I-Bank's conduit bond programs and municipal infrastructure loan program. She originally joined the I-Bank in September 1999 to start up and manage the I-Bank's Infrastructure State Revolving Fund Program. Prior to the I-Bank, Roma spent a total of nine years as a community/economic development representative and business loan officer for several California state financing programs including: the Community Development Block Grant Program, the Recycling Market Development Zone Loan Program, the Child Care Facilities Financing Program, the Rental Housing Construction Program and the California Disaster Assistance Loan Program. Roma also has a strong small business lending background with over six years of commercial lending experience gleaned at the U.S. Small Business Administration - Disaster Division and The Money Store Investment Corporation. She is currently a committee member for HCD's Economic Development Advisory Committee. Roma has an M.B.A. in finance from CSU Sacramento, and a B.A. in Human Development from UC Riverside.
Mitch Delmage
Mitch Delmage is a graduate of Indiana State University and received Level-4 Laboratory Certification from Johns Hopkins University. He was in the US Public Health Service and worked for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health until he began working for the California Integrated Waste Management Board in 1988. Mr. Delmage was very involved in the development and implementation of what is now known as AB939 (the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989). He has been a Branch Manager of several programs over the years including: Used Oil, HHW, Waste Tires, WRAP, and CalMAX to name a few. He was also instrumental in creating the Tire Business Assistance Program. Mr. Delmage is now the Branch Manager for the Bay Area in the Local Assistance and Market Development Division. He is also the lead on several current projects like Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) Redesignation, RMDZ Incentive Fund, and the Green Building Team. Along with working both in federal and state government positions, Mitch has served as an elected official in a local community service district and as a school board member. He has spent the last 30 years working with local, state, and federal governments, as well as non-profit and for profit businesses to create, enhance, and implement programs to better serve the public.
Charlene Graham
Charlene Graham is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento. She worked in the Public Information Office at Sacramento City College for eight years where she produced publications, wrote articles and news releases, participated in outreach events, answered media inquiries, planned and coordinated special events, and facilitated visits of media representatives. She acted as an advisor to college staff on media issues and was a co-leader of the website re-design team. Charlene is new to environmental protection and concerns, but not to social justice issues. She is inspired and motivated by CIWMB's mission to reduce, reuse and recycle, supporting environmental justice throughout California.
Marshalle Graham
Marshalle Graham has worked at the CIWMB for 10 years. Prior to that, she spent eight years as a professional dumpster diver with the Department Conservation’s Division of Recycling. Working as a Senior Integrated Waste Management Specialist over the last 8 years, she has managed a number of technical contracts, worked extensively reviewing, verifying and developing tools for generation studies, lead the development of the CIWMB’s school district waste management web resources, created resources for local reporting requirements, such as the Five-Year Review Reports for planning documents, and more recently is representing LAMD in the design of an integrated data system, LoGIC (Local Government Information Center). Recently, Marshalle has been assigned to a team targeting the CIWMB’s business-related programs and resources. Since this is a relatively new spin to the work she has been doing over the last decade, she comes to this project with energy and enthusiasm to learn about and facilitate continued success in these programs.
Maureen Hart
Maureen Hart has been working in Recycling, Energy, and the Community Based Economy since1980, first in Michigan and then in California. Ms. Hart has worked in corporations, for non-profits, government and as a consultant. She managed an Appropriate Technology Center in East Lansing for 5 years that still exists today, 30 years later (Urban Options). She has also managed large recycling centers in the San Francisco area marketing over 120,000 tons/yr of recyclables to domestic and export markets (Norcal Waste Systems). Ms. Hart worked with towns in Northern California as they planned their transition from a logging based economy (Center for Environmental Economic Development). In 2000, she became a Zone Administrator working with the Humboldt RMDZ and Del Norte Waste Authority to form the North Coast RMDZ. Presently Hart works with the NCRMDZ, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, and as a private consultant.
Ms. Hart loves Zonework’s Peershares because it highlights the collaborative learning from all over the state of California and from ZA’s located in different departments such as Economic Development, Planning, or Public Works. It also showcases all the work that is being done in the RMDZ and shows the potential of more. The RMDZ is one of the building blocks of the green economy and she looks forward to the day when its concepts move into the main stream of industrial development in California and the U.S. As a green industrialist, she looks forward to the hard work ahead to make this transformation happen.
Long live the RMDZ!!!!!
Matt Hine
Matt Hine has been in banking for over 20 years. Matt started his banking career while attending college in Southern California working for Bank of America. His first 10 years were spent in bank operations and management. For over the past decade Matt has been working in commercial banking with a strong emphasis on government guaranteed lending. He has had a great journey as he has helped numerous small business owners start up businesses, purchase buildings for their businesses, create cash flow through refinancing of high interest on loans and lines, purchase equipment, buying out partners, or just assisting them with new marketing plans to grow their business. Here at California bank & Trust we are committed to finding ways to help our customers grow their business through the use of Government programs as well as our conventional loans, lines, and other services. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you!
Brad Kemp
Brad Kemp is director of regional research at Beacon Economics. A well-known expert on California labor markets, Mr. Kemp has amassed singular expertise in the collection, reliability, and applicability of labor market statistics in the state. At Beacon, he specializes in working with clients to define their research questions and deliver customized analyses that meet individual needs. With a keen understanding of the state’s regional diversity, he develops and authors Beacon Economics’ Regional Intelligence Reports, customized research briefs that help local leaders understand the key components, trends, and emerging issues facing their regional economies. A sought after speaker, Mr. Kemp regularly presents on the economic conditions that affect local markets at conferences and meetings across the state. He is known for his ability to explain complex economic concepts – including the events that have lead to the current downturn – in easy-to-understand and entertaining language. He is a trusted media source and is widely quoted in major California dailies such as the Los Angeles Times and The Press Enterprise, and on radio and television in Southern California. Prior to joining Beacon Economics, Mr. Kemp was a labor research analyst for the California Employment Development Department (EDD). During his years at EDD, he focused on the greater Los Angeles region, and was instrumental in helping leaders, workforce/economic development officials, and city planners use statistics to make better-informed choices and develop effective labor market strategies. He was responsible for releasing the monthly employment estimates and unemployment rate for Los Angeles County, and worked on special reports that detailed the effects of major events, such as the Southern California wildfires, on regional labor markets. Mr. Kemp is a veteran who served with distinction for six years in the U.S. Navy, where he focused on electronics, computers, and weapons systems. He graduated at the top of his class in each of the Naval schools he attended, and developed discipline, leadership, and attention to detail while serving his country. He received his B.A. in Communication from the University of Delaware.
Jeff Kroeker
Jeff has directed the growth of Kroeker, Inc in recent years. His attention to detail coupled with his vast “hands on” experience in the field have helped the company remain as a leader in the demolition industry. With 30 years of experience behind him, he holds the A –general engineering, C-12 –earthwork and paving, C-21- Building moving and wrecking, C-57 – Well drilling, C-61-D06 – Specialty licensed with hazardous substance removal and remedial action certification. He is also licensed in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Hawaii.
Jeff has extensive experience coordinating with local, state and federal government agencies working on both public and private construction projects. He continues to maintain certifications in the areas of Hazardous Waste operations, the mining industry, and Cal-Osha training requirements.
His dedication to personal fitness, his involvement in community affairs, and his commitment to business excellence have helped drive the company to unprecedented levels. As a member of the executive board for the National Demolition Association, his participation and influence in the industry have reached national levels
James La Tanner
James La Tanner is a graduate from California State University, Sacramento and Golden Gate University, San Francisco in Business Administration Finance. Mr. La Tanner has worked at the CIWMB since 1995, primarily supervising the Recycling Market Development Revolving Loan Program. Prior to the state, James worked in the private banking industry as a corporate loan officer, primarily at Bank of America. The RMDZ loan program has funded 152 loans to 120 companies, lending almost $100 million during the past 15-years.
Duane O'Donnell
Duane is the Sacramento Regional Recycling Market Development Zone Administrator, and is Vice President of the California Association of Recycling Market Development Zones (CARMDZ). He is the supervisor of the Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC), a free and confidential compliance assistance center, which educates business operators on regulatory requirements, helps them in correcting violations, and assists in the permitting process. BERC is a joint services provider and is funded by a consortium of agencies including the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Sacramento County Environmental Management Department, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, County Engineering Department, City of Sacramento Utilities Department, County Planning and Community Development Agency, Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership, Regional Water Authority, County Airport System, Regional Solid Waste Authority, The Water Forum, and the County Department of Economic Development and Intergovernmental Affairs.
A graduate of Purdue University, he has over 40 years of experience in the public, private, and military sectors in various positions including: Air Force Security Specialist; steel mill supervisor; Environmental Health Inspector; and Hazardous Materials Specialist.
Duane's public service includes 27 years working for public health agencies in California and Indiana including: Sacramento County Environmental Management Dept., San Mateo County Environmental Health Division, San Joaquin County Public Health Agency, Butte County Environmental Health Department, and the City of Hammond Indiana Public Health Department.
Margo Reid Brown
Margo Reid Brown was appointed to the California Integrated Waste Management Board by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and has served as chair of the Board since February 2006. She was unanimously confirmed by the California State Senate.
Under her leadership, the Board has assumed a more aggressive role in furthering the State’s goals relating to waste reduction, sustainability, and climate change. The State achieved the landmark 50 percent waste diversion target and has now reached 58 percent, making California the nation’s leader in recycling and diversion, and an undisputed model around the world.
Notably, the Board has energized the relationship between sensible waste handling practices and global warming. As a member of the Governor’s Climate Action Team, the Board has brought expertise to the AB 32 Scoping Plan with a focus on expanded diversion in the commercial sector and the reduction of methane generated from disposal activity. Chair Brown has also led targeted efforts to expand the Board’s impact, with new initiatives such as extended producer responsibility, and disposal-based compliance for waste handling that provides a bottom-line barometer for the state’s recycling revolution.
Chair Brown has also directed the Board’s efforts in setting new goals for reducing waste among critical material types such as organics, construction waste, and scrap tires. The Board has also expanded its market development efforts, and conducted exploration of new technologies that have the potential for expanded waste diversion, clean energy sources and greenhouse gas reductions.
She is chair of the Board’s Strategic Policy Development Committee, and sits on the boards of Keep California Beautiful and California Green Summit.
In addition to her tenure on the Board, Chair Brown has spent many years in positions of leadership working with local jurisdictions and strengthening community service. She was founder and president of Capitol Ideas Development Corporation, specializing in community relations and fund development consulting. She is also a past president of the Junior League of Sacramento, and served as a board member of Prevent Child Abuse California, Sacramento Capitol Club, and Putting Our Children First neighborhood alliance.
She is a 1985 graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in international relations and political science.
Rod Rougelot
Mr. Rougelot knows recycling. He brings more than 20 years of extensive experience in recycling, operations, finance, and mergers and acquisitions to ECO2. As the founder of Recycling Resource, he led it to become one of the strongest recycling competitors in California. After Recycling Resource was acquired by Tomra Pacific, Inc., Rougelot served as President of the commercial division, building Tomra into one of the largest beverage container recyclers in the United States. Prior to joining ECO2, Mr. Rougelot was engaged through Stone Yamashita Partners as a strategic consultant with The Coca Cola Company. He earned his MBA degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University.
Wayne Schell
On September 18, 2006 Wayne Schell received the Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) at their Annual Conference in New York. As CALED’s President/CEO, Wayne works with a statewide Board of Directors to shape programs and services. Wayne is very active nationally and internationally, giving California economic development a broad presence.
Wayne grew up and graduated from Law School in North Dakota. When he first came to California, he was an Assistant in Governor Ronald Regan's Office of Intergovernmental Management. Then, for almost a decade, Wayne was Director of the California Office of Local Economic Development. During that time, Wayne helped write the legislation that established a state role in economic development as well as conducted extensive training provided technical assistance teams who designed local ED strategies, and helped set up many of the state’s network of economic development organizations. Wayne also served as the interim Director of the State Department of Economic and Business Development. Wayne also owned and operated his own consulting firm, Economic Development Services. EDS specialized in economic development strategies, financing, community consensus-building, marketing, and organizational development.
Wayne was a founder and original Board member of CALED. He became President and CEO in 1990. In 2000, he received the Golden Bear Award – California’s highest economic developer honor. He also serves as a Board member and officer of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and has been selected as a fellow member of IEDC for his significant contributions to the profession and practice of economic development nationally and internationally.
Many know Wayne as the cowboy of local economic development not only because of his cattle-ranching experiences in Wyoming, but also his pioneering spirit. It is no wonder that he has successfully lead CALED for many years. Assembly member Juan Arambula in March of 2006 captured Wayne best when he said that, “Wayne is someone who says what he thinks is right and thinks what he says is right!”
John Smith
John Smith is the Manager for the Local Assistance and Market Development Division, North Branch for the California Integrated Waste Management Board. Mr. Smith has over 28 years of solid waste management experience with the current and predecessor state waste management boards. During those 28 years, Mr. Smith oversaw local solid waste planning efforts, including CEQA review of solid waste facility projects. He also was involved in administration of many of the state’s market development programs, including Recycling Market Development Zone Technical and Financial Assistance programs. His current responsibilities include administering programs providing local delivery services to local governments, regional state agencies and local businesses that encourage diversion, and procurement of recycled content products. Mr. Smith also works with local manufacturers to increase use of recyclables in production of recycled content products. Mr. Smith holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from California State University, Hayward.
Aaron Todd
Aaron Todd is a Treasury Program Manager with the California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA), an Authority within the California State Treasurer's Office.
In this role, he oversees the California Capital Access Program (CalCAP), which provides small businesses in California with loan guarantees; he develops and maintains good working relationships with the banking industry in California, and develops policies for the CalCAP.
Mr. Todd has over nine years experience developing and implementing finance programs with the State of California. He has supervised and lead over $1.5 billion in State Lease Revenue Bond Sales; as Program Manager of CalCAP, he has overseen the enrollment of over 1300 loans, totaling approximately $140 million in loan guarantees.
Recent developments within CPCFA and CalCAP include a partnership with the California Air Resources Board. This partnership has expanded the CalCAP Program to specifically target small business heavy duty truck fleet owners and provide them with additional financial assistance to upgrade their vehicles in order to meet new California clean air requirements.
Mr. Todd holds Bachelors Degrees in Political Science and African American Studies from the University of California at Davis and a Masters Degree in Political Science from the California State University, Chico.