Personnel

US Composting Council executive director announces retirement

Frank Franciosi, executive director of the U.S. Composting Council, Raleigh, North Carolina, has announced he will retire. The council’s executive committee has selected Linda Norris-Waldt, the council’s deputy director, to be the new executive director effective July 1, 2025.

Norris-Waldt attended the University of Maryland, where she received a Bachelor of Science in journalism with a minor in government and politics. She also has completed graduate coursework at the University of Maryland in urban planning and business communications. She is a Certified Association Executive of the American Society of Association Executives, Washington.

During Norris-Waldt’s decadelong tenure with the U.S. Composting Council, she has developed experience in all aspects of the council, including membership, marketing, young professionals, state chapters and policy advocacy.

“It has been my honor to lead the U.S. Composting Council through significant evolution and growth during the past eight years,” Franciosi says. “These past several years have brought seismic shifts to the industry in terms of new issues and regulations impacting our industry both on a national and state level. No other organization offers the level of support, particularly on public policy advocacy, that the council provides to the entire composting industry.”

Franciosi plans to stay involved in the industry as a mentor and consultant on a part-time basis.

“While I will miss the day-to-day interaction with my colleagues and coworkers, I am very much looking forward to the next chapter in my life,” he says.

Vanguard Renewables names new CEO

Weston, Massachusetts-based Vanguard Renewables, an environmental services company that converts organics to renewable natural gas, has announced it has appointed Michael O’Laughlin as CEO.

O’Laughlin brings 20 years of proven leadership in the clean energy, aerospace, defense, medical, automotive and industrial sectors.

He most recently served as Kymera International’s president of engineered materials, where he led a global team across numerous facilities focused on enabling innovation with advanced materials and technological solutions.

During O’Laughlin’s tenure, Kymera International experienced rapid growth while being recognized as an industry leader in environmental, social and governance standards. Prior to Kymera, O’Laughlin held senior leadership roles at Lydall, Raytheon and General Electric.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike to the Vanguard Renewables team,” says Doug Vaccari, lead director of Vanguard Renewables’ board. “His extensive experience leading global organizations and driving growth, coupled with his passion for sustainability, elegantly aligns with Vanguard’s growth strategy and our mission to create a more sustainable future.”

Under O’Laughlin’s leadership, Vanguard, a portfolio company of Global Infrastructure Partners, says it plans to expand its Farm Powered anaerobic digester platform nationally.

Circular Action Alliance names executive director in California

Circular Action Alliance (CAA) has appointed Rachel Wagoner as the organization’s executive director for California, effective immediately.

Wagoner most recently served as director of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and brings statewide leadership experience in implementing California’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) law, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (S.B. 54).

As director for CalRecycle, Wagoner was responsible for overseeing and reforming CalRecycle’s recycling and waste management programs, building EPR, disaster debris recovery and organic waste recovery and recycling programs. She also was the architect for California’s first statewide Zero Waste Plan.

Prior to leading CalRecycle, Wagoner was deputy legislative secretary to Gov. Gavin Newsom, advising on energy, environmental protection, natural resources, agricultural and communications legislation. She also spent more than 20 years working as a committee consultant to the California State Senate.

With CAA, Wagoner will oversee the development and implementation of the producer responsibility organization’s EPR program plan for California, which targets single-use packaging and plastic single-use food service ware.