Board of Directors

CRA Board members are elected through a nomination and formal election process. Any member of the CRA may run for the Board. The Board is elected by the membership every year during CRA’s annual conference.

Roles for Board members include expansion of membership and member services/value, and committee chairs to lead the various functional committees and roles within the organization which include:

• Annual Conference Committee
• Board Development
• Fund Development & Membership Committee
  
• Education and Outreach including Workshops and Regional Networking Meetings
• Finance Committee
  
• Specialty Conference Committee (when applicable, past examples include C&D, Food Waste)
  
• CRA Council Liaison
  

If you would like to serve on one of the CRA committees, we would love to hear from you. The CRA is a member organization and its value comes from members like you. Check out the CRA Committee Sign-up for more info or to sign-up for a committee.

 

2025-2026 Board of Directors

	Teresa Baker The City of High Point Recycle Programs Coordinator As someone who is passionate about recycling and making a positive impact, Teresa truly believes that serving as a board member would be valuable in pushing us further ahead in the world of recycling, re-use, and waste reduction. She believes that her strong listening skills and openness to new ideas can help us think creatively and find opportunities that benefit everyone. Together, we can make a difference! Committees: Conference; Education & Outreach; Fund Development & Membership
	Emily Ball Alamance County Assistant Solid Waste Director CRA Board President Emily has been a member of the HHW Council for over 20 years, serving as President for a time. She has served on the Board of Directors for Carolina Recycling Association for two years now. She has experience chairing and participating on several committees within the CRA. She also has leadership experience in another non-profit, serving as Senior Vice President for eight years and Trustee/Auditor for five years. Committees: Conference; Finance
	Mandy Barnette Pratt Recycling, Inc. Business Developer Mandy Barnette is interested in joining 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 16 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. Committees: Conference; Fund Development & Membership (Vice Chair; Human Resources
	Michael Galus Pellenc ST America Sales Manager CRA Board Vice President Michael has over 23 years of combined experience in the waste and recycling industry and currently serves as Sales Manager for Pellenc ST America in Pineville, NC. He has a strong passion for helping companies develop recycling programs that not only assist those companies in achieving their sustainability goals but also enhances their position as a responsible global partner within their community. Committees: Education & Outreach; Fund Development & Membership (Chair); Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
	Ashley Gladney Charlotte Regional Visitor Authority Sustainability Program Manager Ashley's qualifications for The Board are her extensive knowledge, background, and connections as it relates to sustainability. She has worked both the Facility side, Sports Side, and municipal side of sustainability. She is a True Zero Waste Advisor, a GBES waste auditor, and a member of multiple sustainability organizations and can share the knowledge from one group to another. Committees: Board Development; Education & Outreach (Chair); Fund Development & Membership
	Mike Greene Quest Resource Management Environmental Solutions Manager Mike Greene has 18 years of experience in the recycling industry spending seven years in the local government sector with the City of Greensboro's recycling program and eleven with NC DEQ in DEACS (Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service) in the Recycling Business Assistance Center. His work with both government and business sectors gives him a unique perspective on recycling challenges and the ability to bring these entities together. Committees: Conference; Finance
	Dameon Hopkins University of South Carolina Program Coordinator (Waste and Recycling Manager) CRA Board Development Chair Dameon Hopkins is pleased to be candidate to serve on the CRA board. With his selection Dameon will be working to help the promotion of the CRA. He hopes to bring an enthusiastic addition to the board and the organization in general with some ideas and creative efforts. Committees: Conference; Board Development (Chair); Education & Outreach
	Laura Anne Hunt County of Lexington (Lexington, SC) Recycling Coordinator LauraAnne has been an advocate for sustainability & recycling since 2009. She has worked for several universities, multiple businesses and 3 governments; currently she is the Recycling Coordinator for Lexington County, SC. She holds a Masters in Sustainable Tourism and is a LEED Green Associate. LauraAnne has been an active member of CRA for the last 5 years and looks forward to bringing her experiences and enthusiasm to the board. Committees: Conference; Board Development; Education & Outreach; Human Resources; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
	Tabitha Jenkins City of Lexington (Lexington, NC) Operations Administrator Dedicated and decisive leader with strategic and forward-thinking mindset with focus on business efficiency and operational improvements. Years of progressive experience in managing. Tabitha manages the administrative & financials for Public Services areas: Recycling & Waste Collection, Street, Fleet, Stormwater. Appointed as the designated Primary Agent with FEMA for the City of Lexington. Emergency Management implementation during event. She also volunteers with United Way, as Loaned Executive & Fund Distribution. Committees: Education & Outreach; Finance (Vice Chair; Human Resources
	Lanie Karstrom Appalachian State University Sustainability Outreach Director CRA Board Secretary As a young professional, Lanie has spent the last five years working in collegiate sustainability. Beginning her experience in university waste management, she has become very familiar with waste reduction operations and integrating hands-on learning for students, faculty, and staff. Her current passion lies in engaging the campus community of Appalachian State around initiatives such as Zero Waste Football and expanding the educational experience of students working in sustainability. Committees: Conference, Education & outreach (Vice Chair), Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
	Jacob Kiser Clemson University Solid Waste and Recycling Manager CRA Board President 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. Committees: Conference; Board Development (Vice Chair); Fund Development & Membership
	Todd Marty Coca-Cola Consolidated Sr Director of Sustainability Todd Marty is the Senior Director of Sustainability for Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in North America. He is responsible for their Sustainability initiatives in the 14 states they serve. Coca-Cola Consolidated is based in Charlotte NC and they have a strong commitment to the Carolina's to help create a World Without Waste. They can only meet their goals by partnering with organizations like ours. Committees: Education & Outreach; Fund Development & Membership
	Alex Miller NC Department of Environmental Quality Community Recycling Team Lead, Recycling and Materials Management Section Alex currently works as the Community Recycling Team Lead in NC DEACS Recycling and Materials Management Section . She previously worked as the Waste Reduction Program Manager for the City of Asheville, NC and for the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control as the Local Government Recycling Project Manager. Alex earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston. Committees: Conference; Finance; Human Resources
	Garrett Powell Powerhouse Recycling, Inc Director of Sourcing and Client Services CRA Board Treasurer Garrett holds eight years of experience in the electronics recycling, IT asset management, and secure data destruction industry. He manages PHR's competitive sales and procurement team and has rapidly grown in the industry as a leader in establishing both public and private sector, efficient, e-recycling programs. Garrett received his undergraduate from Western Carolina University. He has thoroughly enjoyed developing relationships with others engaging in recycling efforts through CRA, and appreciates your consideration of his board candidacy. Committees: Finance; Fund Development & Membership
	Traude Sander Executive Director Keep the Midlands Beautiful 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. Committees: Finance; Fund Development & Membership
	Tori Carle City of Greensboro (NC) Waste Reduction Supervisor Ex-Officio Tori Carle has worked for the City of Greensboro and been a member of the CRA since 2015. She currently serves as the project lead for the City’s waste collection app, GSO Collects, tagging program, and various public communications and outreach efforts. Tori received her Bachelors in Biology and Master’s in Environmental Science from UNC Wilmington and serves on the Board of Directors for the Carolina Recycling Association and Reconsidered Goods. In her free time, Tori enjoys painting, sewing, snuggling her pets, and eating her husband’s excellent cooking. Tori currently lives in Kernersville with her husband Sam, Merlin the Great Dane, Echo the mini German Shepherd, and two black cats, Nox and Neville. Committees: Conference; Fund Development & Membership
	Kevin Fisher Sonoco Recycling, LLC Manager - Procurement Ex-Officio Kevin has worked for Sonoco Recycling for 20 years, in various roles covering North and South Carolina. He is experienced in both working with local municipalities and local businesses on their recycling efforts and goals. Finally, Kevin believes his industry experience would be a good fit for the CRA Board, promoting recycling throughout the Carolina's. Committees: Finance; Fund Development & Membership