Enrique has been at the helm of LA Sanitation (LASAN) as the General Manager for over eight years. He was originally appointed in 2007, and then reappointed by Mayor Garcetti in September 2013. LASAN is one of the largest agencies in the City of Los Angeles with nearly 3,000 employees and an annual revenue budget of over $1.1 billion. Through Mr. Zaldivar's leadership and management, LASAN oversees important environmental and infrastructure programs such as the City's Clean Water program, one of the largest in the world with its iconic flagship Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant; the Solid Resources program, which has achieved one of the highest recycling rates in the nation at 76.4% and climbing; and the Watershed Protection program, which is among the most innovative in the country with its use of green infrastructure for achieving water quality objectives for urban stormwater runoff, while delivering on multiple other benefits like open space, urban habitat support, and water supply. Under Enrique's leadership, LASAN has had some very significant accomplishments of great benefit to the City at large, such as:
Originally from the state of Zacatecas, Mexico, Enrique graduated from Azusa High School in the City of Azusa, attended UCLA long enough to have Bruin blood in him, and calls himself a proud Bronco from Cal Poly Pomona where he graduated as a Civil Environmental Engineer in 1985. He has also done graduate studies there. Enrique is active in several organizations and serves on several of their Boards, including the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, the US Water Alliance, and others. He also serves on Cal Poly Pomona's School of Engineering Dean's Leadership Council. Enrique has been honored by several organizations for his environmental leadership stewardship, including the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), Friends of Ballona Wetlands, Heal the Bay, Community Conservation Solutions, and others. Enrique also has an interest in furthering the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico by sharing best practices and technical exchange missions between LA and cities in Mexico. Enrique started his career with the City of Los Angeles in 1985 straight out of college as an associate engineer. Twenty-two years later, he became the General Manager of LA Sanitation. Enrique and his wife, Brenda, have three children: Enrique Jr., Alonzo, and Carina.
Adel is responsible for wastewater collection system management, stormwater and watershed protection program, water quality compliance, and facilities and advance planning. Under his direction, the City prepared an award winning Water Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) for the year 2020 which relies on public input and participation and integrates water supply, water reuse, water conservation and stormwater management with wastewater facilities planning through a regional watershed approach. Most recently, he led the collaborative development of the “Core Attributes of Effectively Managed Wastewater Collection Systems,” a document that promotes good engineering practices essential to managing and operating separate sanitary collection systems.Adel has published numerous technical papers and participated in various technical conferences and committees. He is currently serving as President of National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), and is a member of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, the American Public Works Association (APWA), and Water Environment Federation (WEF). In addition to his participation in NACWA, Adel has participated in many national and global programs and initiatives including UNESCO's water management in Megacities, the ASPEN Institute water resiliency dialogue, and the Clinton Global Initiative efforts. Adel is currently chairing a study group developing a report on water resiliency in the US as part of the President's National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). Adel and his wife Lubna are proud parents of three children: Jana, Jad and Dareen.