EREF appoints two new staff members

Dr. Stephanie C. Bolyard joined EREF in April as the research and scholarships program manager while Catherine Ardoin joined EREF in February as communications coordinator.

Bolyard has a Ph.D. and Master of Science in environmental engineering from the University of Central Florida (UCF), as well as a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Florida. Bolyard’s research expertise includes solid waste management, analytical chemistry, advance spectroscopic techniques, biological and advanced oxidation processes, domestic wastewater treatment and nanotechnology. Bolyard worked for Brown and Caldwell and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection prior to starting her graduate studies.

Collectively, Bolyard has seven years of academic and professional experience in various fields, including domestic wastewater permitting, environmental compliance and solid waste management. She has held numerous leadership roles in the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, International Waste Working Group, American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists and the Water Environment Federation, and in her spare time she enjoys cooking, baking, traveling and running.

In her role, Ardoin is responsible for executing all communications supporting brand awareness, programs, partnerships, fundraising and marketing campaigns. She graduated magna cum laude from Campbell University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies that included focuses in public relations, health communication and broadcasting. Prior to joining the EREF team, Ardoin served as a social media coordinator for a North Carolina-based author. Outside of the office, she enjoys reading, attending concerts, cooking and visiting the beach as much as possible.

The addition of two full-time staff members is part of EREF’s new 5-year goal to substantially increase the amount given in grants, scholarships and internships annually. As part of this goal, the EREF board of directors has outlined several supporting objectives, such as maintaining the strength of its core programs, which will allow EREF to continue to build a recognized brand as a leader in solid waste research and education.

Additionally, such brand awareness efforts will be used to expand EREF’s stakeholder base to expand to peripheral industries, such as manufacturing and utilities, as well as identifying major donors (corporate and individual) with philanthropic interests that parallel EREF’s mission.

The addition of these two positions, along with a realignment of areas of responsibility for key staff, will provide sufficient bandwidth for the desired growth. As part of these changes, Kristy Pickurel now serves as the vice president of development and communications, and has primary responsibility of all communications and fundraising staff.

“The addition of two new full-time staff to EREF will allow the foundation to continue to grow and meet the strategic goal that the board has outlined for the next five years,” says Bryan Staley Ph.D., P.E., EREF president and CEO. “With the additional staffing and management support, EREF is well-positioned to fulfill its mission more effectively to a broader stakeholder group.”

For a complete list of the 2016 EREF Board of Directors and EREF staff, or to learn more about the foundation and its mission, visit www.erefdn.org.

In February, EREF announced that scholarship applications for the 2016-2017 academic year are now available. The application deadline for the $1 million allocated annually for research grants and graduate level scholarships is May 4, 2016, at 5 p.m. EST.

EREF is a nonprofit charity that funds and directs scientific research and educational initiatives for waste management practices to benefit industry participants and the communities they serve.