The National Waste & Recycling Association has hired Kirsti Nelson as its Sunbelt regional director, a move President and CEO Dr. Darrell K. Smith teased in an interview with Waste360 last month.

Nelson will manage the association’s state chapters in the Southern half of the U.S., spanning from North Carolina to Arizona. Her position will entail serving as the liaison between member companies that are active in each state chapter, chapter retained lobbyists, and legislators. She will be based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Nelson worked for 12 years in sales and marketing roles for a waste collection equipment supplier. During her tenure there, she served on numerous councils and committees for the association. For several years she was involved in the Women’s Council, serving as its president for two years. In 2010, she was a founding member of the Future Industry Leaders Alliance (FILA), a council for member employees who 45 years of age or younger. In 2013, she was awarded by her peers in the industry the Wastec Member of the Year, an award sponsored by the association.

“We are looking forward to having someone from within the industry serve our members,” Smith said ina  statement. “Kirsti’s perspective will help the association further identify value we can offer, and assist us in growing membership. Her insight to the business side will help her relate to chapter members’ advocacy efforts.”

“I am humbled and excited to be involved in such a great organization,” Nelson said in a statement. “Each state has its own waste-related regulations, and needs a local voice. This position is important to the industry as a whole, but more importantly to the chapter members who I will be serving.”