Frank Franciosi, executive director of the US Composting Council, announced plans last week that he will step down next year. Current Deputy Director Linda Norris-Waldt will assume his role on July 1.
Franciosi has held the position since 2016. He said in a LinkedIn post that the advocacy group has grown significantly during his tenure and he's leaving it financially secure.
“The past several years has brought seismic shifts to the industry in terms of new issues and regulations impacting our industry both on a national and at the state level,” Franciosi wrote. “I am very grateful to have been part of an amazing team.”
In recent years, the organization has joined like-minded groups in advocating for compost-friendly policies at the federal level. That's included lobbying for clear “compostable” labeling policies and praise for the U.S. EPA's new wasted food scale model, released last year.
The US Composting Council was founded in 1990 and today encompasses more than 800 member organizations. Its strategic plan includes a goal to reach 1,000 members, expand policy engagement and carry out other initiatives to support the professionalization of the industry. The organization now has 10 employees, according to Franciosi.
In 2021, the most recent year for which public filings are available, the US Composting Council reported revenue of nearly $2 million and net assets totaling more than $1 million. It primarily earned money through membership dues, as well as conference revenue, registrations and other sources. It’s holding its next annual conference in Phoenix in January.
The organization has also supported the creation of state chapters. Its sixteenth, based in Georgia, launched earlier this year. David Paull, chief impact officer of CompostNow and a leader of the new chapter, said state chapters support the industry as it professionalizes and allow groups to lobby for better zoning and other advantageous policies at the local level.
Franciosi said he plans to stick around to ease the transition to Norris-Waldt's leadership. He said that over Norris-Waldt's 10-plus years at USCC, she has “raised the profile of the organization significantly, strengthening even further its reputation as a trusted partner and subject matter expert for policymakers and industry stakeholders.”
"There’s no one more dedicated or experienced to be your new Executive Director, and the Council will be in good hands under Linda’s leadership," Franciosi added.
Norris-Waldt has held multiple positions at the US Composting Council, including marketing communications and membership manager and advocacy and chapter relations director. She became deputy director in January 2023, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Norris-Waldt said she wanted to drive the growth of composting infrastructure around the country in her new role, doubling the number of active facilities by 2030. She also said she wants to educate the public about compost as a product with several benefits, including strengthening soil and sequestering carbon.
“Our staff has expanded due to Frank’s leadership and the growing support and awareness of composting, so we are well-prepared to expand the industry and our organization,” Norris-Waldt said in an emailed statement.
Prior to his role at the US Composting Council, Franciosi was the composting department manager for Novozymes, a biotechnology firm, per his LinkedIn profile. He said he will continue to consult on a part-time basis following his departure.
