CREF announces new board leadership

The Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF), Raleigh, North Carolina, has announced new board leadership.

Ginny Black, long-term chair for the organization’s board of trustees, officially stepped down as chair. Black will continue serving as a member of the CREF board. She is resigning from CREF chairmanship to better focus on composting leadership in her home state, where Black is also the board chair for the Minnesota Composting Council.

Black has served as the CREF board chair for over a decade, guiding the organization from what the association describes as “a relatively latent period” to where it is today, with a full-time executive director, staff and multiple ongoing programs and projects.

“Over the years, Black dedicated time, energy and support to CREF, becoming the face of the foundation for the compost industry," CREF says in a news release. "CREF will continue to grow its impact and outreach due to the care and commitment she gave to the organization."

Stepping in to fill the board chair role is Lorrie Rossiter. She has been a U.S. Composting Council (USCC) and CREF board member for many years, recently serving as CREF’s vice chair.

“Lorrie brings with her a depth and breadth of skills, talent and experience. CREF trustees and staff appreciate her accepting this new position with its additional responsibilities and are looking forward to working closely under Rossiter’s leadership during a time of growth and transition,” CREF says.

Other board changes include Britt Faucette's departure as CREF board secretary and active board member. Faucette also served on the board for over a decade. He will transition to a CREF advisor, sharing his expertise when needed. Board members Charles Duprey and Monica Ozores-Hampton will assume the vacated positions of vice chair and secretary, respectively, joining the executive committee along with Rossiter and Jeff Ziegenbein, CREF's treasurer.