Risa Weinberger joined the solid waste industry in 1979. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas and has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering from Vanderbilt University. Risa joined GRCDA, the former name of the organization now known as SWANA, shortly after the chapter was first established in Texas. She is now active in the chapter’s Safety Committee and has been a SWANA faculty member since 2004. She teaches the Compost Program Management Course and the Organics Collection Course, and addresses other related topics through on-line programs and speaking at chapter and national SWANA events. She also got an opportunity to teach the SWANA composting course at the Pacific Island Environmental Conference on Guam. Risa spent many years designing and permitting landfills, and working on studies and plans for clients. She currently focuses on composting, taking projects from planning through facility permitting, plans and specifications, construction, and operations. She has also recently done MRF permitting and other environmental permitting for her clients.