text: Another key component of our Ñnancial strategy includes maintaining an investment grade rating on our 
  senior debt. This has allowed us to secure favorable, long-term, Ñxed-rate Ñnancing that reduces our exposure 
  to changing interest rates. This has also allowed us, and will continue to allow us, to readily access capital 
  markets. 
  
  For certain risks related to our Ñnancial strategy, see ""Risk Factors.'' 
  
  **Operating Strategy**
  
  We seek to leverage existing assets and revenue growth to increase operating margins and enhance 
  stockholder value. Our operating strategy to accomplish this goal is to: 
  
  ‚ utilize the extensive industry knowledge and experience of our executive management, 
  
  ‚ utilize a decentralized management structure in overseeing day-to-day operations, 
  
  ‚ integrate waste operations, 
  
  ‚ improve operating margins through economies of scale, cost eÇciencies and asset utilization, 
  
  ‚ achieve high levels of customer satisfaction, and 
  
  ‚ utilize systems to improve consistency in Ñnancial and operational performance. 
  
  For certain risks related to our operating strategy, see ""Risk Factors.'' 
  
  ‚***Experienced Executive Management Team.***We believe that we have one of the most experienced 
  executive management teams in the solid waste industry. 
  
  James E. O'Connor, who has served as our Chief Executive OÇcer since December 1998, also 
  became our Chairman in January 2003. He worked at Waste Management, Inc. from 1972 to 1978 and 
  from 1982 to 1998. During that time, he served in various management positions, including Senior Vice 
  President in 1997 and 1998, and Area President of Waste Management of Florida, Inc. from 1992 to 
  1997. Mr. O'Connor has over 30 years of experience in the solid waste industry. 