Dear Membership:
Change is coming to the WSRA…
Fall, winter, spring, and summer – I’m pretty sure we all have our favorite. Some of you may enjoy them equally, but no matter your preference, one thing we know for certain is that as seasons change, we adapt. It’s the same in life and organizations. As much as we might prefer an endless summer, we know change is inevitable.
It is with much gratitude and a lot of sadness that I announce that Anne Piacentino (Executive Director) will be leaving the Washington State Recycling Association at the end of this month. Anne has excelled in her role as Executive Director over the past 18 months and we will miss her dearly. Anne came to the WSRA almost four years ago as the Events and Communications Coordinator. In 2016, Anne was promoted to the Director of Events and Communications and in 2017, to the Executive Director position. She has been a stalwart at the helm of the organization. We will truly miss her infectious personality and work ethic.
The reason for departure is that Anne’s husband John has received a promotion within UPS which means moving back east to Atlanta, Georgia. John’s new position starts in early November, so yes, the changes are happening fast. Anne is planning to attend the textile WRED event on October 30, so this might be an opportunity to say farewell or “until we meet again”.
The WSRA Board of Directors wish Anne and John all the best in their next chapter. I’m pretty sure this won’t be the last we hear from Anne. If you made it this far, first, wipe away the tears, and be assured that the WSRA Board of Directors, with Anne’s help, are working on a transition. Anne’s great work, and the dedication to the WSRA make it well-poised for the change.
Like the change of seasons, it can be a bit of a jolt at first, but we adapt and eventually settle into a new rhythm. We have some work ahead and our hope is we can make the transition as seamless as possible for our members and partners. We know there are many qualified individuals amongst our membership and we welcome interest in assisting in an operational capacity.
Questions, concerns and interest can be directed to me, Ron Jones, WSRA President at rjones@ci.olympia.wa.us, or Anne Piacentino, WSRA Executive Director at apiacentino@wsra.net.
Sincerely,
Ron Jones
WSRA President