OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND STAFF
SCL LEA Program Managers:
The SCL LEA Program Manager is the single point of contact, the responsible party, to whom the Board of Directors, the CIWMB, the operator, other State agencies or other offices, the public, and the operator can report complaints, or request SCL LEA services. The SCL LEA Program Manager provides direction, supervision, and assistance to program subordinates in the areas of conducting inspections, permitting and enforcement. The SCL LEA Program Manager is responsible for general regulatory oversight of the SCL site.
The SCL LEA Program Manager’s position rotates annually between the Director of the City of Los Angeles Local Enforcement Agency Program and the Director of the County of Los Angeles Local Enforcement Agency. The current SCL LEA Program Director for calendar year 2011 is Wayne Tsuda. The Director of the City of Los Angeles Local Enforcement Agency Program serves as the SCL LEA Program Manager in odd number years, and the Director of the County of Los Angeles Local Enforcement Agency serves as the SCL LEA Program Manager in even number years.
For even-numbered years:
Karen Gork, REHS
Karen Gork is a graduate of Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. Ms. Gork is certified as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS No. 8043) in the State of California. Ms. Gork joined the Los Angeles County (LAC) Department of Public Health in 2017. In 2020, she was promoted to a Supervisor position within the Solid Waste Management Program and later promoted to one of the Chiefs of the program in 2022. Ms. Gork initially served as Chief of the Solid Waste Management Program - Inspection & Enforcement section, where she oversaw regulatory inspections and enforcement efforts at solid waste sites. She recently transitioned to Chief of the Solid Waste Management Program - Permitting & Surveillance section. In this role, she oversees solid waste facility permitting activities, surveillance of illegal solid waste sites, waste hauler oversight, and SCL LEA functions.
For odd-numbered years:
David Thompson, REHS
David Thompson is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography-Ecosystems and from California State University Northridge (CSUN) with a Master's degree in Environmental and Occupational Health. Mr. Thompson holds certification as a registered environmental health specialist with the State of California (REHS No. 7376). Mr. Thompson began working for the City of Los Angeles Environmental Affairs Department in 1991 and was the first inspector when the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) was established in 1992. During his time with the LEA, Mr. Thompson was able to work his way from Environmental Specialist to Environmental Supervisor and in April 2014 was promoted to the position of Environmental Affairs Officer in charge of the City's LEA program. Along with his work with the LEA program, Mr. Thompson has taught on solid waste issues for CalRecycle, UCLA Extension, CSUN, and Santa Monica City College.
SCL LEA Supervisors:
The SCL LEA Supervisors (Supervisors) are in charge of coordinating the Inspection Staff and their day-to-day activities including inspection, permitting, health and safety and administrative duties. SCL LEA Inspectors report to SCL LEA Supervisors. The Supervisors must have a good understanding of the principles and practices of solid waste facility operations management, including solid waste permitting, regulatory requirements of landfills, transfer facilities, materials recovery facilities, green waste processing facilities, and composting operations.
In addition, the Supervisors must have a good understanding of inspection and enforcement procedures, familiarity with operational procedures of the City, County and State prosecutorial agencies. Each Supervisor must have knowledge of Regional, State and Federal solid waste and environmental protection organizations. The Supervisors must have an awareness of public health and safety issues concerning solid waste facilities and SCL LEA program staff.
SCL LEA Inspectors
The SCL LEA Inspectors (Inspectors) must have a good understanding of the principles and practices of solid waste management, including aspects of solid waste permitting, regulatory requirements of landfills, transfer facilities, materials recovery facilities, green waste processing facilities, and composting operations.
In addition, the Inspectors must understand inspection and enforcement procedures and have familiarity with operational procedures of City, County and State prosecutorial agencies and have familiarity with regional, State and federal solid waste and environmental protection organizations. Inspectors must have an understanding of public health and safety issues concerning solid waste facilities and SCL LEA program staff.
Legal Counsel
The County Counsel and the City Attorney both act as attorneys for the SCL-LEA. In the event both are precluded from acting because of a conflict of interest or other legal impediment, the SCL LEA may contract to employ independent counsel to advise and/or represent the SCL LEA.