Four Leaders Say Goodbye
Public Works/Sanitation and Environment recently said goodbye to four long-term staffers and leaders. They are Michael Simpson, Principal Environmental Engineer, 40 years of City service; Pritpal Jhaj, Sanitation Wastewater Manager II, 37 years, Club Member; Tim Dafeta, Plant Manager, Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, 36 years; and Rick Veiga, Solid Resources Manager I, 36 years. Here’s some more information about these four leaders.
Congratulations to Michael, Pritpal, Tim and Rick, for their many years of dedication and service. The Club honors you!
Michael Simpson
Principal Environmental Engineer
40 years of City service
Originally hired by Public Works/Engineering in 1984, he joined the Sanitation family in 2003 in the Industrial Waste Management Division (IWMD), where he served as Sr. Environmental Engineer until he was promoted to Principal Environmental Engineer in 2016, a position he held until his retirement earlier this year.
In addition to his many professional accomplishments during his years with Sanitation, he also assisted with the Board of Public Works’ efforts to identify young leaders in the engineering field through the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBU) Recruitment Program. Known for his kindness and ability to inspire, Michael has made lasting impacts on the lives of those he’s worked with, and his mentorship has been pivotal in shaping the careers and personal growth of his team members, emphasizing the importance of thinking outside the box and problem-solving. As the Manager of the Industrial Waste Management Division, he brought forth leadership qualities that have restored a sense of job satisfaction, fulfillment and recognition to the staff of IWMD, as well as unity to the division.
Pritpal Jhaj
Sanitation Wastewater Manager II
37 years of City service
Club Member
Initially hired as a Mechanical Helper in 1987 at what was then known as Hyperion Treatment Plant, Pritpal climbed the ranks
quickly, first accepting a promotion to Wastewater Treatment Mechanic I in 1988, and advancing to Wastewater Treatment Mechanic II in 1989. Pritpal next was promoted to Wastewater Treatment Mechanic Supervisor at Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant (DCTWRP) in 1993. He returned to Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant as Sanitation Wastewater Manager I in 2015 for just a few months before transferring to the LA-Glendale Water Reclamation Plant later that year. In 2018, he was promoted to Sanitation Wastewater Manager II at DCTWRP, where he remained until earlier this year.
As a dedicated manager in charge of the Water Reclamation Division’s maintenance section, his leadership, combined with his technical knowledge and hard work, have been a cornerstone for Sanitation.
Tim Dafeta
Plant Manager, Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant
36 years of City service
Timeyin (Tim) Dafeta began his LASAN career in 1988 as a Sanitary Engineering Assistant II at what’s now known as the Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant. In 1992, he moved to the present-day Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, accepting a promotion to the role now called Environmental Engineering Associate I. Later in 1992, Tim was promoted to Environmental Engineering Associate II with the Wastewater Research Division. His third promotion that same year was to Environmental Engineer in the Enforcement Division. In 2000, he was promoted to what’s now called Sr. Environmental Engineer in the Industrial Waste Management Division, and the following year, he was promoted to Principal Environmental Engineer with IWMD. In 2013, he became the Hyperion Treatment Plant Manager, and was assigned to the Executive Division in 2017, where he served until his retirement in April.
Tim was a dedicated Plant Manager, arriving at Hyperion nearly every day at 5:30 a.m. and often still in the office at 5 p.m. His Sanitation team members truly appreciated his perfect combination of strengths in technical knowledge and managerial leadership skills.
Rick Veiga
Solid Resources Manager I
36 years of City service
Richard (Rick) Veiga started his Sanitation career as a Refuse Collection Truck Operator II in 1988, and was promoted to Refuse
Collection Supervisor in the Solid Resources Collection Division in 1996. In 2002, Rick transferred to what’s now known as the Industrial Safety and Compliance Division, where he was promoted to Solid Resources Superintendent in 2004. He accepted a promotion to Solid Resources Manager I in 2021, transferring to the Solid Resources South Collection Division, where he served until February of this year.
Rick’s vast knowledge and passionate support regarding all safety aspects of operations earned him the affectionate title “Sultan of Safety.” His enthusiasm and positive energy will be missed at Sanitation.
