2025 Annual Meeting and CRA Board Elections

We held our 2025 CRA Annual Meeting and Town Hall Forum on March 26. 2025 in Wilmington, NC. During the Town Hall, we discussed CRA’s year in review, our 2025-26 plans, met the 2025 Board Candidates, and more.

Elections and voting were held during the Annual Conference & Trade Show. Welcome to our 2025-2026 Board Elect.

2025-2026 Board Elect

2025 Recommendation Statements from the Board:

In order to represent the diverse views and regional character of the membership, the Board Development Committee identified the following areas of special interest for this board election cycle:

South Carolina representatives,
non-profit representatives,
school/university representatives,
members with past experience and interest in serving as a secretary.
members with past experience and interest in serving as a treasurer/financial management.

	Mandy Barnette - Procurement Representative, Pratt Recycling, Inc. (Duncan, SC) ^ Candidate's Statement: Mandy Barnette is interested in continuing to serve on the CRA Board of Directors to further recycling and waste reduction throughout the Carolina's by growing partnerships and memberships for the CRA. She believes her 24 years of experience in the recycling industry will greatly benefit the CRA and its Board. Mandy believes that strong interpersonal relationships are integral to any successful organization.
	Dameon Hopkins - Program Coordinator, Waste and Recycling Manager, Univ of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) Candidate's Statement:** Dameon Hopkins is pleased to be a candidate to serve on the CRA board. With his selection Dameon will work to help the promotion of the CRA by bringing back his enthusiasm to the board and the organization in general with some ideas and creative efforts.
	Jacob Kiser - Operations Manager, Clemson Univ (Seneca, SC) Candidate's Statement: Jacob has five years of experience in recycling and waste reduction at Clemson University, uniting students, faculty, and staff on sustainability initiatives. His leadership in Zero Waste events and sustainability tours highlights his passion for the outdoors and environmental preservation. Jacob is excited to apply his expertise and enthusiasm to advance sustainability efforts across the Carolinas.
	Alex Miller - Community Recycling Team Lead, NC DEQ (Raleigh, NC) Candidate's Statement:** Alex has been a member of CRA since 2019 and has served on the Board of Directors since 2022. She has been involved in the solid waste field for 8 years, gaining experience in regulation-making, recycling practices, and waste reduction efforts affecting local governments, colleges/universities, and businesses. Back in a state role, she is eager to help enhance and expand recycling infrastructure and access across the Carolinas.
	Traude Sander - Executive Director, Keep the Midlands Beautiful (West Columbia, SC) Candidate's Statement: Traude Sander is the Executive Director of Keep the Midlands Beautiful, a nonprofit affiliate of Keep America Beautiful that works to reduce litter, increase recycling, and enhance beautification in Lexington and Richland counties, SC. As the former Recycling Coordinator for Lexington County, she served on the CRA Education Committee and earned the CRA 2020 Recycling Educator of the Year award. She looks forward to serving the Carolinas again.

**incumbent ^interest in serving as treasurer