Well Wishes for Hilary Nichols on Her Next Adventure
We are sad to say that Hilary Nichols is leaving the USCC in early April to pursue her dream to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail while vlogging horticultural workshops. We will miss her and wish her the best on her journey!
Over the four years Hilary was with us, she assisted with many projects to help us grow. Among other activities, staff and Market Development Committee created as a team numerous Joe Lamp'L videos, victory garden social media templates, webinars, and updated the compost use section of our website. Hilary also worked with CREF and USCC staff to execute a grant from EPA's Region 3 to reach out to specifiers in that area, gather in-use specifications, and discover roadblocks. Over the last four years, the entire USCC team began building the Gateway Database, clarifying the STA brand messages, and growing the number of participants in the STA program by almost 28%! This supports the industry by strengthening the overall brand of Compost through clear consistent labeling.
Hilary participated in re-invigorating the Standards and Practices Task Force and helped begin updating TMECC. The Compost Analysis Proficiency Program for labs has been and is still being updated in collaboration with Dr. Miller. Hilary has worked with the Strategic Alliances Committee to develop structures to streamline how the USCC develops partnerships, including helping initiate the Quarterly Committee Collaboration Forum to increase internal communication. She was a part of taking the Target Organics Committee from the initial survey to the hub of resources you enjoy today. If you haven't seen them yet, take a look. With the Target Organics Committee and Hilary's help, we also submitted feedback to the EPA on their Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines, Recycling Benchmarks, and Recycling Strategy.
Please join us in thanking Hilary Nichols for her contributions to the industry in collaboration with other staff, contractors, and committee members. If you would like to stay in touch or follow her journey, subscribe to her YouTube, like her on Facebook, connect with her on LinkedIn, or visit her webpage.
We have several staff who will still be here to help with STA questions. Gowri Somasundaram will continue to review STA permits and issue program participation invoices. Hessa Al Maghlouth will continue to review new STA applications and renewals, and provide STA certificates. Our STA Advisory Committee with Chair Bob Yost will continue to strengthen the program's guidelines. While the Market Development Committee's Co-Chairs Clinton Sander and Suzanne Longacre with Co-co Chair Rich Blosser will continue to strengthen the STA brand messaging and marketing tools available to our STA Participants.
Everyone here at the USCC is here to support our members. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you have. We are carefully coordinating for a smooth transition.