Oakland, CA – September 16, 2015   At its September 16 meeting, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority announced its selection of Wendy Sommer as the next StopWaste Executive Director. Sommer will replace Gary Wolff, who will retire as Executive Director at the end of the calendar year. Wolff has been at the helm for seven years, previously serving on the CA Water Resources Control Board. Sommer, whose current position is Deputy Executive Director, has served in a variety of roles at StopWaste over the past 24 years. She will take over leadership on January 1, 2016.

Wolff, an engineer and economist, provided a new strategic focus for the organization.  “We’ve created environmental and economic benefits by helping residents and businesses reduce solid waste sent to landfills, energy waste in buildings, grocery bags in creeks and storm drains, and plant debris and water waste in landscapes,” said Wolff. “And we did so while reducing our core (fee-supported) budget by about 14 percent.”

While at StopWaste, Sommer has created key policies and market transformation programs – many being firsts in California, such as construction and demolition debris recycling requirements, food scrap recycling, and green building. “I’m excited to lead StopWaste at such a critical time,” said Sommer. “Our challenge is to help and inspire our communities to become more sustainable and resilient to climate change.” 

 “On behalf of the Board, I would like to acknowledge Gary’s strong programmatic vision and careful stewardship of financial resources,” said ACWMA Board President Jerry Pentin.  “We now look to Wendy’s well-rounded experience for continuing the leadership StopWaste is known for. The residents and businesses of Alameda County will continue to benefit by the great work this organization does.” 

StopWaste is a public agency responsible for reducing waste in Alameda County. The organization is governed by three Boards: the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board, and the Energy Council.