Frank Franciosi, government director of the US Composting Council, introduced plans final week that he’ll step down subsequent yr. Present Deputy Director Linda Norris-Waldt will assume his position on July 1.
Franciosi has held the place since 2016. He mentioned in a LinkedIn publish that the advocacy group has grown considerably throughout his tenure and he is leaving it financially safe.
“The previous a number of years has introduced seismic shifts to the trade when it comes to new points and rules impacting our trade each on a nationwide and on the state stage,” Franciosi wrote. “I’m very grateful to have been a part of a tremendous crew.”
Lately, the group has joined like-minded teams in advocating for compost-friendly insurance policies on the federal stage. That is included lobbying for clear “compostable” labeling insurance policies and reward for the U.S. EPA’s new wasted meals scale mannequin, launched final yr.
The US Composting Council was based in 1990 and in the present day encompasses greater than 800 member organizations. Its strategic plan features a purpose to succeed in 1,000 members, increase coverage engagement and perform different initiatives to help the professionalization of the trade. The group now has 10 workers, based on Franciosi.
In 2021, the newest yr for which public filings can be found, the US Composting Council reported income of almost $2 million and internet belongings totaling greater than $1 million. It primarily earned cash by way of membership dues, in addition to convention income, registrations and different sources. It’s holding its subsequent annual convention in Phoenix in January.
The group has additionally supported the creation of state chapters. Its sixteenth, primarily based in Georgia, launched earlier this yr. David Paull, chief influence officer of CompostNow and a frontrunner of the brand new chapter, mentioned state chapters help the trade because it professionalizes and permit teams to foyer for higher zoning and different advantageous insurance policies on the native stage.
Franciosi mentioned he plans to stay round to ease the transition to Norris-Waldt’s management. He mentioned that over Norris-Waldt’s 10-plus years at USCC, she has “raised the profile of the group considerably, strengthening even additional its popularity as a trusted companion and subject material professional for policymakers and trade stakeholders.”
“There’s no yet one more devoted or skilled to be your new Government Director, and the Council will probably be in good fingers below Linda’s management,” Franciosi added.
Norris-Waldt has held a number of positions on the US Composting Council, together with advertising communications and membership supervisor and advocacy and chapter relations director. She grew to become deputy director in January 2023, based on her LinkedIn profile.
Norris-Waldt mentioned she needed to drive the expansion of composting infrastructure across the nation in her new position, doubling the variety of lively amenities by 2030. She additionally mentioned she desires to coach the general public about compost as a product with a number of advantages, together with strengthening soil and sequestering carbon.
“Our employees has expanded because of Frank’s management and the rising help and consciousness of composting, so we’re well-prepared to increase the trade and our group,” Norris-Waldt mentioned in an emailed assertion.
Previous to his position on the US Composting Council, Franciosi was the composting division supervisor for Novozymes, a biotechnology agency, per his LinkedIn profile. He mentioned he’ll proceed to seek the advice of on a part-time foundation following his departure.