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The Board of Directors of the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority has selected Cesar Zuñiga as its candidate for General Manager/Chief Administrative Officer position.
With more than 30 years of experience in the solid waste industry and over 24 years of dedicated service to the Authority, he brings unmatched institutional knowledge, proven leadership, and a deep commitment to public service. With a career that began in frontline operations and progressed to executive leadership, Mr. Zuñiga represents a success story built on hands-on experience, dedication, and a deep understanding of every level of the organization.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Zuñiga has held progressively responsible leadership roles, including nine years as Assistant General Manager, more than 13 years as Operations Manager, and over three years as Solid Waste Technician/Landfill Inspector. In these roles, he has successfully led diverse teams, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and guided the development of new programs to meet evolving state and federal mandates.
Mr. Zuñiga has played a key role in advancing sustainable waste diversion strategies, strengthening regulatory compliance, and improving operational efficiency across the organization. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources, earned while working full-time for the Authority, and is certified as a Safety Officer. His expertise spans operational leadership, budget development, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance, supported by a deep understanding of the Authority’s history dating back to 1995.
“We feel he is the right person to lead the Authority in this next chapter of its story,” said Liz Silva, Chair of the Board of Directors.
“It’s a true honor to be able to work up from a laborer to the agency’s leader,” said Mr. Zuñiga. “I hope it inspires others who start and work hard to improve themselves.”
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